Love Yourself Mama

Love Yourself Mama

(Warning MOMs – Tear Jerker Ahead)
 
“A mark for every breath you took, every blink, every sleepy yawn. One for every time you sucked your thumb, waved hello, closed your eyes and slept in the most perfect darkness. One for every time you had the hiccups. One for every dream you dreamed within me.
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It isn’t very pretty anymore. Some may even think it’s ugly. That’s OK. It was your home. It’s where I first grew to love you, where I lay my hand as I dreamed about who you were and who you would be. It help you until my arms could, and for that, I will always find something beautiful in it.” – Cassie Fox

This quote got me through some very difficult times 4 years ago, when my son was turning 1 and I was still in my pregnancy jeans (not the cute kind - the kind with the fully belly elastic). I was so depressed and overweight at the time, weighing over 200 lbs. I was self-conscious of my body, especially my belly area. I had 2 beautiful, healthy children. My kids were big babies though – my daughter came in at 9 1/2lbs - 22 1/2in and my son was a few weeks early at 8 1/2lbs - 22 in and had to come via C-section. To say that I have a few stretch marks is a total understatement. I used to say my belly button looked like a sad mouth with no teeth.
 
As I have lost weight, my stomach has shrunk, but I still have my loose baby skin and stretch marks – they have faded over the years. I have several scars from having to have my gallbladder removed when I was 26 and my cesarean scar (I got really lucky with that one though). I also have lost several bra sizes and I breastfed both my kiddos – so these babies definitely don’t look like they used to.
 
I’ve grown to love my stretch marks and think of them as part of my warrior stripes – I earned those suckers. I have grown to accept that since I have lost over 70lbs that my boobies will never look the same and that if I were so inclined, I could have them fixed. My surgery scars have faded, but remain there just as they always will. I choose to love myself just as I am today and know that I am continuing to grow daily. I stand as an example to my kids that they should love themselves and accept themselves fully as well.
 
Every mother out there that has lose belly skin, stretch marks, a droopy belly button, or a C-section scar – WEAR THEM PROUD! Love yourself more for having them. You earned those by creating a beautiful life inside of you, going through the pain of pregnancy and child birth, and then continue to sacrifice every day for your little ones. You are the true warrior.
 
Life is What You Choose
XO Renea