Belly, Bust, and Beyond

My friend took some pictures of me pregnant. I haven't done this with the other girls and I don't know how many kids we'll have so I wanted to capture my body, bust and beyond at full term. I don't plan on hanging these pictures up around my house and/or showing the others outside of my blog. I've always felt a little awkward with the whole pregnancy picture thing, maybe that's why I haven't done it before. Most of the pictures I saw online were with nude women and and there aren't a whole lot of poses. The cheesy poses i.e. the hubby "listening" to the belly make me laugh out loud. You're probably thinking I'm a cold, heartless mom right now. That's not it at all. I love when my kids and hubby talk and love on the baby, but trying to capture it w/ a picture seems to come out cheesy and not authentic. Anyway, I'll probably make my personal maternity scrapbook because I will want to see and reflect on my pregnancy. I'm thankful I can have this miraculous experience of conceiving life. It's a blessing and honor. Unfortunately I take it for granted. I hope having pictures of all sorts (even the cheesy ones) and writing about my thoughts and feelings will always remind me of the sacred opportunity to carry and bear life. Although I can't wait to hold and look into the eyes of my child and get back into my old clothes, I will miss my belly hitting into things. I will miss feeling the baby move inside, I will miss hearing the heart beat at the doctor, I will miss the anticipation of its' coming, I will miss my belly being a conversation starter, and I will miss seeing my body transform before my eyes because of the growth of the baby-- just another testimony to me that God is the Creator of all things.