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2011Stretched and Beautiful
17 Months ago I gave birth to the two most amazing identical twin girls. They are the sweetest quirkiest bundles of joy I’ve ever met.
But their entrance into this world left me stretched physically and emotionally.
I have struggled with body image in a new way since their birth. No one prepares a woman for the toll having a child takes on your body. Hardly anyone talks about finding beauty in your new form. For 17 months I’ve wrestled with the weight of extra skin hanging, tiger claw stretch marks, and clothing that will never be flattering again.
And in one quiet moment as I contorted my body to capture this image with my new lens, I discovered that the beauty I mourned is even more present in my body that sustained and nourished two little lives.
Dalia
I saw this in P52 & followed you here to comment. I just wanted you to know how brave I think you are for posting this image. I too carried twin girls, only mine didn’t make it to term, they were born at 23 weeks 5 days weighing 1.4 & 1.5 lbs—today they are healthy, happy & on track 4 1/2 year olds. The scars I carry are on the inside for having a body that failed them & caused them to have such a rough beginning. The stretch marks I have are of my own doing, not badges of honor like yours. 🙂 Peace be with you!
Hugs & Blessings!
Taleah
This is SO beautiful! Thank you for sharing! I have a friend who’s hosting a post-baby belly blog hop, and I think you should link this up to it! http://www.emptyuterus.com/
I came by from I heart Faces.
stacy
Beautiful. Thank you for capturing your vulnerability & sharing it!
Dreama
This is a beautiful message. I wish the world today concentrated on real women.
MommaHen
You are beautiful . You are my hero!
Gina
Totally hear ya on this !!!!!!! Captured it beautifully- very creative
Danyelle
Creative and beautiful!
Uyen
BEAUTIFUL! wow!
fiddlehead
what a beautiful post! I love it…and I do hear you. I have struggled as well with my forever changed body after birth, often referring to those stretch marks as affectionately as possible, as my “baby tattoos”. 😉
kim
Wow – I love this. Thanks so much for sharing and being honest!
Kristen Vincent Photography
Wow! I laugh now, but any time I put on a swim suit my 10 year old daughter points out that those (pointing to my own stretch marks) are there because she is here. She calls them my love marks. I applaud you for going “there” in this post. I hope you make the top list this week! But regardless you rock for putting it out there for everyone to see what so many women try to hide. Awesome and inspiring!
prairie mother
I have 6 year old twin boys and wouldn’t trade my stretch (which there are many) for the world! Great shot
MrsLala
BEAUTIFUL! Simply beautiful.
Laura Metzger
What a fantastic story to go along with your picture. Sharing your innermost thoughts on here is really a gift to others. My mid section is destroyed from three very large babies (born at different times.) Thank you for sharing this.
quietgracesphotography
Thank you all for such heartfelt comments 🙂
Kristen F
As a fellow mom of twin girls I can SO relate. Absolutely gorgeous!