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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Ready or Not, Here Comes the Swim Suit

Did I mention we're going to the beach this weekend? Can you tell I'm excited? It's going to be a lovely time, even if it means dealing with my body-image issues around swim wear.

That's fodder for a longer post when I have time to write about it, but suffice it to say that (like a lot of women) I'm less than confident about how I look in a swim suit -- especially after two babies. It's not that I think I look terrible, but there are plenty of things I would change.

One thought that helps me feel better is this photo. It was taken this same weekend beach trip four years ago. I was 35 weeks pregnant with Junius and could no longer wear my wedding bands or fit in a booth at a restaurant (no really, we had to wait until a regular table opened up). People up and down the beach were setting 911 on their phones because I was so huge it looked like I might go into labor at any moment. As it turned out, I stayed pregnant another seven weeks. Makes me tired just thinking about it.

Truthfully, being pregnant in a swim suit was strangely liberating. I love the big, round maternity belly -- it made me feel powerful ("I'm constructing an entire human being -- what are YOU doing?"). Plus it was the only time I didn't feel compelled to suck in my belly. In fact, I wore a bikini at the beach when I was (4 months) pregnant with Pippi and felt nearly exotic.

But given that I'm not pregnant this year, I'm dealing with the body I have. And no matter how many nips and tucks I'd like to take before heading out on the beach, at least I know I'm about 50 pounds lighter now than I was in that picture.

6 comments:

  1. girl...you will be a dream in anything you wear! Plus, you have a long neck and great hair...wow---I rhymed!

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  2. Oh, that's fantastic! Now I'm really sorry I didn't get a pool picture last month!

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  3. Girl, I wouldn't have even thought about getting in a bathing suit when I was super pregnant and am having serious doubts about ever getting in one again :o) You look great in that picture! I truly was a blimp when I went into labor I had gained almost 70 pounds, gulp. When I went back for my 6 week check up I had lost 3 - yeah, somehow after 8 lbs of baby came out I still gained. Almost 1 year later I'm 10 lbs from my comfort zone. My envious abs are not that envious anymore, though I still see 2 of the six pack I used to have. It's really hard to adjust to the complete body transformation. But we are all harder on ourselves than anyone else is. You look great and have fun!!!

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  4. I'll sit next to you at the pool all summer, so you'll look awesome.

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  5. Ugh, I hear you on that one. Last year I felt like I had an excuse because Sam was only 3+ months old. :)

    I think that photo of you is super cute.

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  6. That's a GREAT photo. You look fab and healthy and I'm sure you look great even now!

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