Preggy Belly.

Why do people act like woman are pregnant for nine months? We are pregnant for TEN MONTHS. Even if the first few weeks are considered the "gestation" period IT STILL COUNTS. And by the end of your pregnancy, you feel like you are definitely ten months along. And just like pregnancy, this is going to be a long post, prepare yourself.

I didn't get the opportunity to miss my period in May 2010. In fact, I took a test about 5 days before I was suppose to "start" (we're all ladies here, right?). I just had that pesky gut feeling (pun intended) that I was pregnant. When I took a test, there was almost no time lapse...it was an immediate "positive" response. I couldn't believe it. I hadn't even told the husband about my suspicions and he had no idea that I even went out of my way to buy some tests. I immediately took the other "bonus" test that was in the box and when it came back just as positive as the first, I remember just starring in the mirror with my mouth wide open. 

Every single emotion flowed through my body in .236 seconds. Looking back I wish I would have kept it to myself for a bit and thought of a cool way to tell Travis but instead I woke him up from his slumber (it was 7:00 am) and in a panic, shouted "Get up and go get me some pregnancy tests because I just took two and they are positive. GET UP, I AM PREGNANT!!!" Travis repeated the word "shit" over and over all the way out the door and probably the whole way to Walgreens. We had always talked about having kids and knew that one day we would want to be parents but we had JUST bought our house and we had only been married 6 months...and we wanted to wait at least 2 years (heck, we were 21 and 22!). Not only was it a shock but Travis was shooting a wedding that day that had a 32 person wedding party. That was the worst Saturday for him on record. 

Once the "wtf" wore off, we were so thrilled and for the next nine months thats all we talked about. We did a "photo shoot" every month from 5-9 months. I was one of those superstitious gals that just didn't want to get too excited until I was well through the first trimester and everything was looking good. Below are our monthly photo shoots and personal tid bits (some are pretty "risqué")  :)

One of my pet peeves is when I am judged ignorantly for my "birth plan." Yes, I get it..you want the all natural, quiet, granola eating birth but do not judge me because I had a c-section. My body (and doctors) didn't give me a choice. Before you start on your rants about giving birth and breast feeding, know that EVERYONE is different and your method isn't necessarily the best method. *and I only mention breast feeding because I think society puts so much pressure on it. I tried it (and will try again) and it was the most difficult thing I ever did. No one can prepare you for the pain of engorged size FF boobies and an infected nipple* When I told an acquaintance that I had a c-section (without even knowing my story) she said "Oh, I'm sorry." And I still haven't come up with a good enough come-back.

FIRST TRIMESTER:

*There aren't any photos because like I stated before, I was basically scarred to take any. Not only that but I was soooooo sick I couldn't even open the pantry let alone pose for the camera. I lost 8 lbs. between my 8 and 12 week check ups. 

SECOND TRIMESTER:

In August we went to Portugal when I was almost 5 months along. I was hardly showing when we arrived but "popped" right at 19 weeks. On the flight there (mind you I was in a sweat shirt and yoga pants, carrying a pillow) this old man came up to me at the airport and asked me "are you with child?" and when I responded I was he told me "You don't know this yet, but it's a little girl. She looks just like you, she is so beautiful." I sat and cried in the airport and felt like I had just met another angel. When we came home two weeks later, we indeed found out we would be decorating the nursery pink. In Portugal we decided to do a maternity shoot since we wouldn't get the chance to take them in such a beautiful place again. I ate 2 burgers and poked my belly out as far as I could to look "more pregnant" hahah.

4 Months:

5 Months:

Six Months:

By six months I was REALLY feeling pregnant, mostly because by this time you know the sex and are feeling kicks everywhere. I also remember distinctively that I had only gained 6lbs by this point and my doctor was worried (have no fear, I gained 30 lbs in my last trimester alone.). I remember feeling HUGE and everyone basically laughing at me saying "jusssssssssst wait."

Seven Months:

These were taken the night before my baby shower, thank goodness because I didn't get a single photo from the day with a visible bump! By this time, I was taking doctors orders and stuffing my face.

Eight Months:

This is the stage people are talking about when you literally grow bigger and bigger every day. You wake up every morning a half pound heavier than the night before, it's UNREAL. No complaints from me yet, though. I was still in the "I love pregnancy" stage at this point. Some of the photos below were extremely controversial. I personally think pregnancy is an absolutely natural and beautiful experience. I think when semi-nudes are taken with a big belly it is seen as art...apparently my employer didn't agree with me and neither did my in-laws when I shared these on facebook (no not all of them hahah). Everyone told me I should take them down because they showed too much...Good thing I have a mind of my own. 

Nine Months:

"Just when you think you can't possibly get any bigger, you do." It's true. You wake up defying all laws of physics the last few weeks of pregnancy. Luckily the first 9.5 months were a breeze but by the last few weeks, I was having a hard time walking due to back and pelvis pain. You know, I'm not going to lie...I thought I looked damn good at 9 months pregnant. These were taken the night before I went into the hospital to give birth. Looking back I can see how swollen my face was and how big I actually was. I was SO proud that I made it through the whole pregnancy without any stretch marks...but no one has the courage to tell a 10 month miserable pregnant chick that stretch marks don't appear until AFTER you give birth and deflate. The ones I did have faded after a few months but as luck would have it the only real stretch mark I have goes right in between my one and only tattoo. 

And on January 26, 2011 this little miracle was born. 

Amelia Grae Tank

I remember her being absolutely perfect and so overwhelmed with God's creation. Babies perfect little eye brows, and nails and how they can come out of the womb-where they have been swimming in goo for 9 months- and then breathe air...they are just little miracles. 

The best thing I ever did throughout my pregnancy was keep a journal. Open ended letters to my unborn baby about what was happening in my tummy and in the world. To this day, I write to my sweet daughter every few weeks so I can always know when she "did this and that". 

"A person's a person, no matter how small."-Dr.Suess