Wednesday, August 7, 2013

my style: two weeks postpartum

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I have to commend every woman blogger out there who has documented her pregnancy and postpartum style. I think it's really hard to put yourself out there. Your body just changes so much during pregnancy and it's really hard to figure out how to dress it in a way that makes you feel good about yourself. I never really felt like I was embracing my true style while pregnant. Really I was just trying to get through it in a sort of stylish way.

And now that I've had the baby, I feel even more self-conscious than I did before. I keep expecting my body to go back to what it was. And unfortunately that doesn't happen. I still look kinda pregnant. I can't tell you how many times I've pulled non-maternity stuff off my shelves in the hopes that it will actually fit this time and it doesn't at all. Such a blow to my self-esteem.

My sister-in-law sent me the best article about how women should feel about their bodies postpartum. We need to give ourselves time. Our bodies spent nine months growing and stretching to nurture the baby that we now hold in our arms. And somehow we expect that they should shrink back to pre-pregnancy form in a shorter amount of time. We look at our bellies with embarrassment instead of wonder. We tug self-consciously at our shirts. We cringe every time we see our reflection in a store window. And we should stop. We just need to be patient and give ourselves time.

And this is what I"m doing here. Giving my body time to heal and that's okay. My goal is to get back in shape and feel good about my body one day in the not too distant future. But that day is not today. Right now I just need to nurture my body and my baby and that's okay. The bumps and lumps are okay for right now. They are a part of my story, the story of how I have given birth to two beautiful boys.

Linking up with the Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So and Style Elixir.

9 comments:

  1. You're looking great - I love the white & gray for summer. And thanks for sharing your thoughts and this article. It will be helpful for me to get this into my head NOW, before my baby comes, so I can be kind to myself...

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  2. I love this outfit! and your thoughts on body image. I've been thinking about how becoming a momma is such an important and unique opportunity to find my sense of security in who I am, rather than what I look like. It can be a missed opportunity or I can get the most out of it that I possibly can. Sounds like you are right on track - thankyou for sharing!!

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  3. You look AMAZING! This seriously gives me hope, that I'll not have this large bump eventually!

    Carly
    www.lipglossandcrayons.com

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  4. cute and beautiful backdrops!!!

    http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2013/08/navy-coral-what-i-wore.html

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  5. You look so pretty! I am so glad you shared this! I am already dreading the post partum phase of pregnancy. I am longing desparately to be able to get back into my stylish "skinny" clothes even though I still have a coupke weeks till my due date. But I know it will be a long road back there. It is always so hard to feel normal let alone stylish after having a baby, at least for me. I am just not one of those people that is back to prebaby weight 4 weeks postpartum.

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  6. You look gorgeous! And I continue to love this hair cut on you. I'm so happy you brought those two little boys into the world.

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  7. Very honest and refreshing post. You look amazing, as always!

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  8. Exactly what I need to hear, my dear! I will be referencing this post in a few short months when I know I'll be frustrated with my body image. And, you look awesome! Such a great new-mommy-again smile!

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  9. What a great post. I started off looking at the pics thinking how impressed I was that you could even think of being photographed just 2 wks post baby - I could barely think straight! However I do think that it's important to see yourself as you, not just as a mama, and dressing in a way that makes you feel good is part of that. You are completely on point in that you must be kind to yourself and your body at this phase. The media puts too much pressure on us to "spring back" - while your baby needs you to have positive vibes and be relaxed to make them feel safe and comfortable and secure with you. 9 months on, 9 months off. And quite frankly, if the pre-baby shape never completely returns it isn't the end of the world - you've made a person! And as long as you are comfortable in yourself, that is all that matters. Lovely outfit, great style and thanks for swinging by my blog too!
    x
    mama-andmore.com

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