{29 weeks pregnant}
I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but the reality is…
that aside from the beautiful end result, being pregnant is about my least favorite thing in the world.
I’m beyond grateful and realize how blessed I am to be capable of creating a miracle in my belly,
but the experience is still a struggle I’m working to overcome.
The extreme sickness, the trips to the hospital, the mood swings, the headaches, the shortness of breath, the heartburn, the way NO clothes seem to fit the way I envision them in my head.
The list really goes on.
I long for each and every kick, punch, hiccup and wiggle of the peanut in my tummy reminding me why these 10 months are beyond worth it.
I don’t glow–I’m green.
My face doubles in size.
My hair goes flat.
My legs get soft and lumpy.
I can’t exercise.
And my skin gets brown spots–everywhere.
And just when I start to think I’m the only “un-pretty” pregnant person in the world,
I’m reminded of what true beauty is:
(via)
Allison {A Glimpse Inside}
I am 36 wks pregnant and I admit I am still not too positive if I like being pregnant either. This is my first and was SUPER sick in the beginning. It has died down but I am still on zofran. I have lots of other pain that started extremely early so this hasn’t been all that fabulous of an experience. I love feeling my baby girl kick but I will be so happy when these last 4 weeks are over and she is in my arms. So you are definitely NOT alone!
Summer
I am so with you. I do not enjoy being preggo one bit…but the blessing at the end is so worth it. You look super cute though. Hope the next few weeks fly by:).
Misty S.
I’m right with you! I’m 28 weeks w/my 4th and I spent the other day in a puddle because I couldn’t find anything that fit right and I feel like my own body is foreign to me. Pregnancy always throws me for a loop.
Jennifer Dawn
Well, for what it’s worth…I think you look beautiful! I don’t see any of the brown spot, flat hair things that you mentioned. I just see a beautiful, talented mommy who is having a baby brother for Lil W very soon.
Alicia
Sweetie, I feel your pain! I’m only 8 weeks with my 2nd child right now, But I have been in bed for 2 weeks and haven’t kept anything down! I haven’t showered in what seems like centuries.
It IS worth it! But it’s so hard to remember!
When I’m not pregnant,I see pregnant women,and I get so jealous of their amazing beauty.I think to myself “wow, to be pregnant,is so amazing!”
Then I get pregnant, and I feel the exact opposite.Being pregnant is painful,and hard to do.
But this passes,and we will be ourselves again 🙂
Abbie (Five days...5 ways)
Ashley, I don’t comment often (chalk it up to busy blogger + three littles and one on the way syndrome), but I just wanted to say that I appreciated this reminder.
I’m 18 weeks along with my 4th (and I’m only 29…imagine the raised eyebrows I get at the grocery store), and even though I have none of the extreme symptoms and can continue to teach my exercise classes and live life as “normally” as you possibly can when you’re pregnant, I find myself resenting (maybe that word’s too strong, but still…) the pregnancy–NOT the precious miracle that’s all wrapped up in it. But definitely the discomfort, the aches, the hunger pains and nausea and extreme exhaustion.
That sleeping, thumb-sucking, hiccuping, wiggling little being God placed inside my body really is worth every relatively tiny inconvenience, though, and I absolutely loved the way that last image you showed expressed that.
P.S. I know that you don’t feel beautiful (believe me, I can relate), but you look fantastic!
Amanda @ lillys&lollipops
I love that saying! You look beautiful.
Jenna
Ok you don’t even look green or like your face is any bigger or any of those things! You look beautiful! And Im not just saying that, you do.:)
Lindsay
There was always a small window where I actually liked being pregnant and that was in the beginning when the belly was small and I could still wear the cute clothes. Once it grew past the size of a basketball everything just became more difficult. I never was seriously sick, but with both boys I had the worst heartburn of my life {both of them were bald!} It just takes a toll on your body and chasing a toddler around doesn’t make it any easier. For what it’s worth, you look beautiful! Hang in there Momma, not too much longer!
Jamie
You look amazing but I can certainly remember feeling gross. Us “little people” have it a bit harder, I think.
Molly
I think you look absolutely beautiful!
Audrey Crisp
I think you look beautiful!!! Yeah being pregnant sucks! Anyone who says otherwise is totally lying! Only 10 more weeks and you have the best thing ever! Good luck!!
lori
love this post. i think you look beautiful and i can only hope i look half as good as you when im pregnant.
Ashley C.
You look beautiful! But I know exactly how you feel. It’s hard to find the balance between constantly complaining to the point where people might think you’re ungrateful, but you are SO uncomfortable…and tired…and annoyed…and anxious to just have your body back and meet the little man! Know that you are affirmed in your feelings of discomfort and by no means does that mean you love your babe any less or are ungrateful for the ability to carry that life to birth. Hang in there!
Monica @ The Writer Chic
Oh goodness, I get it. I SO get it. I’m 35w with #4 and, well, yeah….I just get it. Hang in there, momma!
ilene
i love you and think that quote is so beautiful!
Ashley
I am there with your sweet momma- I’m 18 weeks with #3 and I’m already feeling the awfulness you’re feeling at 29! Thanks you for this reminder. And you do NOT look how you are describing- you look amazing.
Ashley
*you, not your. Heehee!
Jessi H.
Oh Ashley! It is so hard! I was sick my whole pregnancy and gained 70 POUNDS and had absolutely no perspective because it was my first and I didn’t realize how incredibly worth it it would all be in the end, and the time goes so slow. I am so sorry you feel so crummy. I know it’s the “epitome of womanhood” to be able to grow a baby inside our bellies, but my husband and I would often joke that pregnancy is the LEAST LADYLIKE THING every, with the hormones and the constipation and the heartburnish belches and the hair and skin issues, etc. Isn’t just so ironic?? But the truth of it is, I don’t even remember how hard pregnancy is for me now that I have my little dude! Poor John remembers, though. Oh, bless our sweet husbands who endure our preggersaurusness!! Hahaha
By the way, you are the HOTTEST PREGNANT MAMA I’ve ever seen. Work it, girl!!
Jessie K
I have to admit, I really did not enjoy being pregnant. To make matters… well, worse for lack of a better word, Hubby did not enjoy me pregnant. I’m cranky, impatient, chubby, impatient, grumpy, impatient, tired, impatient… and the list goes on. So, after 3 kiddos, we’re ready to call it quits and be happy with what we have! And I don’t think I’m sad. Except for the end result. That was worth it all for sure.
Heidi Ferguson
Oh my gosh, I KNOW you know this but the baby is such a wonderful end result. I guess I would say it’s worth it–haha, but I also do NOT love pregnancy. I’m a huge whiner when I’m pregnant so I’m very very understanding of pregnant women and don’t want to give them any extra burdens. That aside, my baby girl is 5 months and so completely adorable that I literally want to eat her. She giggles and smiles all day long, doesn’t seem to cry much anymore, and is getting so chubby and big. (But believe me the first 3-4 months with her were ROUGH so maybe I’m just extra appreciative of how great she is now.) I’ll be thinking of you! PS. You look great!
Sarah @ Scissors and a Whisk
I’m sorry, but even if you feel ugly, you are just so beautiful.
Vanessa Pierson
You look so pretty! I agree, I just had my baby 5 months ago, pregnancy sucks! Love my baby, but the pregnant part is just plain awful, throwing up all three trimesters, my face looking like a balloon, stretchmarks galore, awful. And where in the world did 9 months come from, it is totally 10 months! But those 10 horrible months are so worth it.
Marissa @ Momma Rake
I agree girl! Those 10 months are not fun… AT ALL… but like you said, the end result is so worth it. You look stunning. Keep up the good work momma! 😉 XO!!
I Will Wear a Swimsuit Tomorrow…probably « Autumn All Year
[…] I read this. I have followed Little Miss Momma before my pregnancy and she is really great. You will never find […]
lee
don’t feel bad, i was extremely sick with both mine and i would love another but that sickness and headaches and diabetes just puts me off. its like motion sickness for 10months. its ok to say it,heaps of us feel it. we are blessed to be able to have babies but i feel what you are going through.
lauren
love it…i think you look beautiful! Making me want another baby 🙂
Amanda
One of the things I love most about your blog is your honesty! I did not enjoy being pregnant, not even one stinkin sick minute of it. Everyone else I knew talked about how much they loved it. I was so scared that I was going to be a horrible mother because I hated being pregnant. Good news, my daughter is now 17, and was worth every stinkin sick minute of pregnancy, and I have loved every single minute of being her mom! Although..she is an only child! 🙂
Samantha C.
I can’t believe you are so far along already! I haven’t been reading any blog lately as I have delivered my own precious miracle just a week ago.
When looking for clothing, I just laugh at the models who have these perfect little tiny bumps and can still wear their regular clothes for most of pregnancy. Yeah right!
You look fantastic and I look forward to seeing pics of baby!
danett
You look great!!!!!
Elizabeth Cooper
Tears. In. My. Eyes. That picture says it all and it’s something I needed to hear/read right now.
I just gave birth 4 weeks ago to my first and most ever fabulous son Henry Thomas. 🙂 The stretchmarks, icky veins on my legs, already beginning to sag breasts has all been weighing on this momma. So thank you for reminding me it’s beautiful because it gave me him. 🙂 I like thinking of it that way much better than “war wounds”. 🙂
Katie @ My Darling Days
What are you talking about hunny? You look just as smokin’ now as you did before! 🙂
Lisa A
You may not feel good pregnant, but can I just say how great you look! I think your are glowing and you are so tiny! Why is it that we can never see how beautiful we look while pregnant, but everyone else can. I remember feeling the same way with E.
Kailie
You look stunning! And I’m not just saying it either, I reallllllllly hope I can look as good as you when I’m pregnant. Loving your posts!
Mari Bell
A friend wrote a BEAUTIFUL poem about motherhood entitled, “Being Your Mommy Has Made Me Beautiful.” I think you’ll enjoy it…
A few of my favorite lines…
“Mommy, you know you’re my very best friend, But have you always had such a saggy rear end?…
Even though parts of me are a bit more fattened. I’m more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.”
http://stevenandambereliason.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-meant-to-write-blog-on-mothers-day.html
Lindsay M
Oh my goodness, girl – the poem at the end has me in all kinds of tears! <3
I'm a short gal, too – all of 5-foot-nothin'. YOU are beautiful and what your body is doing is amazing. 🙂 Thanks for such an awesome post 🙂
Lindsay
Sara
I think you look beautiful!
elyse
Funny because when I was looking at these pictures, I kept thinking how pretty you are…..
Jennifer
You (and your belly) are beautiful, Ashley!
Berna
You really look great Ashley! I am 24 weeks, so it looks like I am ~ 5 weeks behind you. You are almost there! Doing a great job.
Merry Cheerry
This was a really nice post! I’m 31 weeks and I tell myself that no matter what aches and pains I’m going through, it’ll all be worth it once I meet my little girl. 🙂 Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
Carolyn
My first pregnancy I loved. I didn’t mind getting bigger. My second one, because I remembered all the “fun stuff” I didn’t enjoy so much.
But in the end, it did the “job” and did them well.
I have 2 wonderful, happy, healthy girls!
Great post.
Melanie
First off, you are super duper beautiful. I’m like you and hate being pregnant. Although when I’m not pregnant I envy those girls that do pregnancy so well. I always gain way too much weight – which I don’t get because I am SOOOOO sick! It’s horrible. I get about 30 pounds of water weight. I am SUPER duper moody and feel like a total wreck. It’s really hard. I’m pregnant with baby number 4 and yes I am SO thankful I get pregnant so easily and am so blessed, but I really struggle with being pregnant. So many other girls have it so much easier and love being pregnant. I wear my work out clothes all day (but don’t work out), no make up and look awful. It’s hard. I can totally relate!
Jennie
You are a beautiful, we will all keep telling you that! You deserve to hear it! Pregnancy was not my best look, I was big and round , and weight just found me. My 3rd is 15 and it seems like many years ago. I am thankful maternity clothes were loose fitting back then. 🙂
chelseyadele
Im only a mere 13 weeks pregnant, my other child (a lil boy) is 18 months and…yep im right there with you about pregnancy 13 wks and ive lost 14 lbs, i did the same with my son. Pregnancy just does not agree with me, totally worth it in the end but they are the longest 9 month spans of my life. I’ll keep you in my prayers!
Meredith
Okay, I kind of hate you b/c YOU LOOK GORGEOUS!! But yes, ugh, I absolutely was “not into” being pregnant ever. God bless those moms who are! Anyway, you really look great, trust me! 🙂
Kari
Wow Ashley, you have such a beautiful baby bump! I LOVE that poem.
Linda
Ahh Ashley, you look beautiful!! Love your blog and I can’t wait to meet (via ciberworld) your pretty little peanut babe. Lots of love. Linda
http://prettylittlecuppycakes.blogspot.com/
Heather
Gah! That last picture has made me cry for 5 minutes straight. So beautiful.
You look absolutely gorgeous, my dear! xo
hotpants™
I love my babies and being a mother more than anything, but I didn’t love being pregnant. I’m totally ok with that.
Courtney Fisher
Oh my goodness, I am right there with you!! I was just telling my hubby last week how awful and guilty I felt for hating pregnancy so much…the aches, pains, nausea, the weight gain, sleepless nights, no glowing skin just breakouts and most of all feeling less of a Mother to my other three children.
I am truly grateful for the blessing of being able to get pregnant easily and carrying my babies. But, oh man, the length of the pregnancy seems endless! I am 22 weeks with my fourth and I swear my the day I got prego my body decided it was going to expedite the process of gaining weight and popping my tummy out.
I can hardly wait for the day baby boy is placed in my arms and I can put all this “fun” pregnancy stuff behind me!
P.S you look absolutely darling in your pics!!!
emily anderson
well at least you look cute. you make me miss my belly 🙂
Alexandra Petrich
such a beautiful post! YOU are beautiful! and so is that belly! xo
misty
I remember those days. But you look adorable even though you don’t feel like you do. I didn’t get any stretch marks, but I cry every time I read that, it almost makes me wish I had. ; )
xoxo, Misty
Fiona
Couldn’t agree more. Birth was easy for me (2 hours or less) so I’d rather give birth every day for 9 months than be pregnant. Sick Sick Sick!!! It seems that my body is too selfish to make more babies.
rebekah
thank you for being honest. i’m 21 weeks pregnant and i feel exactly the same way. this is my first though. can’t wait to hold little jr in my hands but the preggo part.. its ruff.
Sabrina
I guess I’m lucky because at week 32, I’ve felt great to date!! I suggest walking and yoga as exercise, if you’re up for it. I got a pregnancy yoga DVD at Target and it’s really helpful.
I just want to send a positive message to anyone who reads this blog and is trying or wants to be pregnant that everyone is different. I am 31 years old and pregnant for the 1st time and everything has been good. No throwing up, no extra trips to the doctor, my hair and skintone actually improved, and I love being pregnant.
Don’t let these gals scare you! : )
Patricia
Sweetie, I know your pain. I was sick with both of my kids…and was very surprised when I realized that I wanted number two…since being pregnant with number one was so bad. I did wait 6 years between pregnancies so I think I forgot about the pregnancy a little by then! With number one I knew I was pregnant about 1 week in because I started throwing up… and continued up until the day I delivered. Meds from the doc brought my throwing up down to 8 times a day…it was WAY more before the meds! There was no such thing as morning sickness for me…it was morning, noon, and night sickness! I truly could not stand being pregnant. Number 2 was a little better, but not much. But, you are so right….when you get to hold that little miracle in your arms it somehow makes it all worth it! You don’t forget it, however, and thought of going though it again could set you off the edge (well, maybe that’s just me! hee hee!) but you wouldn’t give up those little people for anything in the world!
Enjoy you kids and I hope the sickness leaves you for the remainder of your pregnancy! HUGS!
Rebecca
Just stumbled onto your blog and I am loving it! I have just started a blog not too long ago so I am thankful for your tips. Also thankful for this particular post. At 30 wks pregnant, drowning in the not-so-pretty things of being pregnant, its great to be reminded of the beauty of it!
Take care,
Rebecca
Jessica
I am 35 weeks, and I am so glad I stumbled upon this. I love being pregnant, but not the stretch marks.. and this is a WONDERFUL quote. It gives me another perspective about stretch marks. I don’t have many, but they still bother me. I try and remind myself of the “beautiful earned tiger stripes” quote, but it definatley has no comparison to this one. Thanks for posting, and congratulations on your little one!(:
jokemusic.jp
I just couldn’t leave your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard info an individual provide on your guests? Is gonna be again frequently in order to investigate cross-check new posts
oem parts
I quite like looking through a post that can make men and women
think. Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!
heartburn no more pdf
Aloe vera mustn’t be taken directly from a plant as it might be polluted only
accredited aloe vera liquid ought to be taken. But always remember to take these heartburn remedies with caution especially if you have other ailments.
The reason for this is to clear up some common misconceptions about heartburn in general.
harga besi plat per kg
I am so with you.
HERVE LEGER
“You can see the techniques of the knit on this style; Bandage Dress one day we will videotape the process of how our pieces are made.