Something that I haven’t shared a lot about, is my weight loss after having each kid.
After my pregnancy with Hudson, I was able to lose the weight quickly for the most part. My body went back to much of the way it was before. I mean of course I had some loose skin a few stretch marks here and there, it took 6 months for my wedding ring to fit again, but it wasn’t that different to me. I got into my same jeans easy and my shape was still true to before pregnancy.
After Felicity, it wasn’t. I’ve been back to my pre-baby weight for a few months now, but my body is not the same after Felicity. Most of my clothes fit differently. The jeans I loved before they don’t fit the same. The shirts that covered my mommy pooch with Hudson don’t anymore. If I can’t dress in a more concealing way, it makes me look pregnant again. My ring fits again after 7-1/2 months but it’s still tight at times.
Do I love my body? Of course I do! It carried the most beautiful children God gifted us to have and to hold. But I still have to work with how different it is now. Right now I find it frustrating because I have to re-discover what I love all over again but at the same time I’m also seeing it as exciting that I GET to rediscover what I want to wear all over again.
Until then I’m trying to see myself the way my children do. And in that, I know they love me for the way I’m changing even more than I love myself.
I find that the more I focus on what my body means to them rather than what it means to me, the more I can love it and see it for how God used me.
I know my body will continue to change as the months go by, and who knows? Maybe it’s just taking much longer this time. But either way, I’m learning to love it, and rediscover my style. I’m excited to see where it leads!
I hope this gives any new mom or even a mama of multiples, encouragement and empathy going thru this too. It’s challenging but amazing the way God designed our bodies. ❤️
Xoxo, Shantel