So I am at the mall this weekend. I am shopping for a preggo dress. Yes. It’s that time. My belly is truly poking out there. I need to get some photos of it. It’s quite comical. Anyway, I went to the mall because I was on the hunt for a Motherhood Maternity clothing store. Haven’t been to one of those in at least six or so years. Wasn’t sure they were even still around. Well, I found one. And right next door to it was a “Fredericks of Hollywood” which you HAD to walk by in order to get to Motherhood. I don’t get it. Talk about making a pregnant woman feel bad about herself as she’s about to try on some clothes that make her feel like a house. They had the standard model-type posters up in the windows. Women dressed in sexy lingerie probably wearing a size 0. I think the last time I was a size 0 was in first grade. Seriously. Women in the window with perfect skin, legs, figures and of course breasts. I caught myself for a few minutes getting really depressed and down on myself. For some reason this pregnancy has been a lot harder on me from an emotional standpoint. I think it’s hit home that I probably won’t bounce back from this one as easily as before. I shouldn’t be so negative about it but I like to think I am normal. Did any of you get down on yourselves when you were pregnant? Did you have days that it’s really depressing to watch your weight on the scale grow as huge as your belly? I don’t know why I am struggling so bad with it this time but I am. As I left Motherhood with a dress that I settled on mostly because of the “comfort” factor (sign of old age) I had to walk by THAT OTHER store on the way out. This time was different. I think the Lord rescued my heart and soul that afternoon. This time instead of depression I felt happiness. I felt my heart actually grow four times bigger in an instant. The thought came to me that those women in the posters probably had never and may never even experience Motherhood. I started thinking about all the ways their lives must be lacking and they might not even realize it. How they might be able to stare into the mirror everyday at a perfect figure or a perfect “rack” LOL but I get to stare at three perfect little faces everyday. Come tomorrow morning when it’s time to do the usual hair routine…..I will have more patience than normal. I won’t get so frustrated when I hear the whining about the hair combing and the “Ow…Mommy…that hurts” that I hear on a daily basis. Okay…that’s a lie. I will still get frustrated…I’m human. But my point is….I am BLESSED and HAPPY and OH SO FORTUNATE to be a Mommy and to have these little souls to care for and who love me unconditionally. There truly is no greater gift! I will take the flabby thighs, the elbow fat, the droopy boobies. It’s all worth it when I get to hear “I love you Mommy” at least 20 times a day!
I GET IT……AND I LOVE IT. 
October 1st, 2007
October 1st, 2007 at 2:29 am
Zarah Says:
*giggles*
We all get that - and I don’t even have, nor will I have, kids!
Still - their loss. Imagine going through life never getting to dig into a freshly baked apple pie. Never getting to eat the gravy or a baked potato with butter. Just salads with nothing on them and the occasional carrot. No - wait - don’t they all do weird diets like… Only bacon?
Nah - I wanna be able to go to food shopping without doing my hair & make up for an hour, trying desperately to pick out clothes I’ve never worn before - in case someone sees me… Must be awful!
October 1st, 2007 at 5:02 am
identicaltriplets Says:
Oh Shanna, God is SO good! You are truly blessed that you are beautiful inside and out! And for those of use that didn’t get the wonderful body or the beautiful looks, remember the Lord doesn’t look at the outside. I love your story. May you wake up today showing those girls what truly counts in a mommy, a family, and their internal beauty. Blessings and hugs!
October 1st, 2007 at 6:05 am
Tami Says:
Amen, girl!!!!! You put it all into perfect perspective!!!
I can just imagine how cute (and pretty) you are right now with a preggo belly. Enjoy every minute of it!!
October 1st, 2007 at 7:51 am
Daphne Says:
You’ve got it right! There is more to life the great abs…Enjoy the love from your four little souls (gotta count the bun)
and enjoy some apple pie today! Plus, you got a great man, who loves you, not just your body! You have so much more!
October 1st, 2007 at 8:23 am
Ashley Says:
Oh such a great perspective on life! Thanks for sharing. It was truly uplifting!
October 1st, 2007 at 8:51 am
heidi y Says:
The Motherhood in my mall is also near Frederick’s… That’s so good you felt better instead of letting it bother you. And it did take being pregnant with another child for the realization to hit me, too. We just have to ‘let it go’ that we may/may not bounce right back. My youngest is almost 3 and this time I didn’t worry about doing every ‘diet’. I just want to enjoy being with my family. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
October 1st, 2007 at 10:50 am
Tammi Says:
Shanna, I feel for you. Can I say 60 pounds, that is how much I gained with Taylor. It was so depressing.. That does stink that the have F of Hollywood right by Motherhood. Sometimes I think the emotional side of pregnancy is harder than the physical, I am sorry you are not feeling AWESOME. Take care, Tammi
October 1st, 2007 at 10:53 am
toni Says:
Excellent post; I’m so glad you are able to see the good in all of this
As you know, the end results are soooo worth it!
October 1st, 2007 at 11:37 am
AZAnjanette Says:
Hey you can join me in the droopy-boob club! I have a 3 month old….time to start the diet and get on the treadmill…diet starts today for both me and my hubby. wish us luck.
October 1st, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Amie Says:
amen, sistah!
October 1st, 2007 at 4:42 pm
kaelene zapata Says:
It is a good thing that you didn’t need narcotic stimulation to feel better! Heavenly Father truly knows what we need, and when we need it!
You are blessed to be who you are, and the great friends that you have!
October 1st, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Maddy Says:
I hear ya! Being pregnant is HARD! It’s hard to know that those pounds just add up, but are three times as hard to lose. It takes a lot for me to get dressed everyday when I’m pregnant.
You still look gorgeous, though, and I’m glad you know what you have to look forward to! Will he/she have Shane’s eyes? Your hair — do we even know what color that is ;p? It’s so fun to hold their sweet little hand and smell their milk breath. Yummmm
October 1st, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Melissa Says:
I totally understand! But the sweet baby makes up for the extra fat — so I keep telling myself! And the only thing that is bouncing is my belly. And I’d still do it all over again.
October 1st, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Deanna Says:
Well, I feel your pain and that is why I decided to be done. I just don’t know if my poor kids could handle me pregnant one more time. Not to mention my husband might have me committed. I bounce back physically ok but that whole emotional stuff is still taking me a while to feel like a normal person again. I don’t think I will ever recover emotionally from having children. Good luck! I hope you are feeling better tomorrow!
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:18 am
laura Says:
such great perspective, shanna! and i’ll bet you look great!
xo
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:59 pm
karen Says:
I gained 70 pounds with both kiddos and have struggled ever since to get it off…but it’s a battlescar I’ll take for the blessings I’ve been given
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Susie Says:
Children are such blessings and I am thankful for both of mine. We have lost 4 in between and our 3 year old son is a miracle. I don’t know what I would do without my babies. God is so good and healed my little boy and PTL he is in remission.
I am sure you are beautiful and the life you are carrying is so precious and know God is always with you.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:48 pm
lisa Says:
been there, done that. SIX FREAKIN’ TIMES!! uggghhh! i always hated the weight gain. and it got worse the older i got. but it’s all worth it. somedays. lol