The Shape of Us
Due to the OVERWHELMING number of responses, the first installment of the reader-nominated all-time greatest favorite blog in the history of the universe has been postponed until Monday. There's simply no way I can do these blogs justice unless I get organized and come up with a fair way to choose which site to feature on what day. (I am thinking: small pieces of paper + hat = foolproof & highly professional system.)
(I did, however, come up with a better name for the awards and even convinced the mighty Zoot to whip up the most awesome little graphic dealie in the history of awesome, but again, those will be unveiled on Monday.)
Today I want to revisit the topic of post-partum body image for probably the frillionth time. Earlier this week, Meredith of Parenting Pop Culture posted a great Q&A with Bonnie, the creator of the Shape of a Mother blog. The site is very new (only about a week old), and I actually didn't even know about it until Daily Dose reader Jamie sent me an email about it.
I don't even know what to say about this site. It features un-airbrushed photos of real mothers. Everything from bellies and breasts to stretch marks and c-section scars. It's beautiful. It's gorgeous. It's the most honest look at pregnant and post-partum bodies I've ever seen.
Some of the photos might not be considered safe for cubicle dwellers, but if you've ever yanked your shirt down self-consciously or wondered what happened to your breasts or spent hours rubbing lotion on your stretch marks -- I encourage you to visit Shape of a Mother and look at your sisters in motherhood.
And if you're feeling brave, you can submit your own photos.
This is me. Hi.
I am super jealous that you got the nice, subtle stretch marks while I ended up with the ones so deep you can feel them...with mittens on.
I must not comare...bad Bethi...I do admire your bravery.
Posted by: Bethiclaus | July 14, 2006 at 01:04 PM
amazing link. makes me feel so much better! I whine alot about the lack of pre-baby clothes that I can wear. now I think I will just go get some new ones. thanks amy.
Posted by: lindsayc | July 14, 2006 at 01:11 PM
I hadn't seen that sight when I posted pictures of my own belly last week. and let me tell you, to see that made me cry. I have felt like a freak of nature for a long time, thinking that I'm the ONLY ONE with a belly that's stretched out.
How empowering.
Posted by: Y | July 14, 2006 at 01:20 PM
Awesome. I love you for doing that.
Posted by: Mother | July 14, 2006 at 01:55 PM
I thought of you, Y, when I saw it. You were ahead of the curve. ;-)
Posted by: mdvelazquez | July 14, 2006 at 02:05 PM
That site is amazing. And YOU are amazing for joining in.
And FYI: I would rather have your post-pregnancy pooch than mine any day of the week, and I've never even been pregnant.
Posted by: Frema | July 14, 2006 at 02:47 PM
P.S. I should've put "pooch" in quotes, because woman? You look fabulous.
Posted by: Frema | July 14, 2006 at 02:48 PM
I'm so glad that you liked that link! I was moved almost to tears when I saw it... I really couldn't wait to send it on to you. Spread the word, I say!
Posted by: jamie | July 14, 2006 at 02:49 PM
Thank you for posting this site. I don't feel like a freak anymore. (Our bellies could be twins, except that my bellybutton is wrinklier. I win.)
Posted by: reluctant housewife | July 14, 2006 at 02:56 PM
That site is wonderful! Good find, Amy!
Posted by: Jenny | July 14, 2006 at 03:08 PM
Thanks for posting this link. The timing could not be more perfect as my daughters one year birthday has brought on a weird depression about the state of my post-baby body. Knowing that I am alone makes it a bit easier to deal with.
Kristin
Posted by: Kristin | July 14, 2006 at 03:22 PM
Thank you thank you thank you for putting up that link.
I'm very glad to see that I am not the only one with deep stretch marks. And now I'm going to go back and tell the woman who started that site how wonderful I think she is.
Posted by: Elleana | July 14, 2006 at 03:35 PM
I adore you for posting that link. My son's about 9 1/2 months old..and I'm 6 weeks pregnant with baby number 2. I had preeclampsia with the little guy so I ended up gaining a whopping 48 pounds. I'm not yet brave enough to post belly pictures because ew. I'm also *terrified* to see what this baby's going to do to me! It just feels better to actually see that I'm not alone in this. Thanks again for the link.. you made my hormonal self cry.
Posted by: Abby | July 14, 2006 at 04:29 PM
I went there and was moved to tears. Thanks for the heads up on that site...
linking to it now.
Posted by: bon | July 14, 2006 at 04:35 PM
I really just want to blow rasberries on your cute belly but that would be inappropriate, huh??? Seriously, though - what a great idea for a site! I'll have to go visit.
MONDAY? You're making me wait for Monday? Do you REALIZE that all next week I will be in a big conference room in NYC with my boss and my entire team and I'm not sure any of them would understand about me surfing all day? Ugh. I'm going to be an evening-hotel-surfer next week and so I shall miss out on all the fun. Poop.
Posted by: JustLinda | July 14, 2006 at 04:43 PM
Thanks for the link. On one hand? Great tearful admiration that you did your own tummy. On the other? Green eyed jealousy at your very cute tummy.
Posted by: anne nahm | July 14, 2006 at 05:02 PM
Hey.
I wanted to say thank you so much. We could be twins! I have the same stretched out belly button and stretch marks. I have just recently started to look in the mirror. I feel like a freak compared to other 23 year olds, but my son was worth it, Just wanted to say thanks.
-Megan
Posted by: Megan | July 14, 2006 at 05:34 PM
How awesome is this? It is SO awesome. I am fighting the urge to use MANY MANY exclamation points. (!)
Someone needs to put these things on TV and let the whole world know that it's OKAY to look this way(!)
Thanks so much.
(!)
Posted by: Stephanie | July 14, 2006 at 05:37 PM
I don't know if you'll believe this or not, but I think your stomach looks fantastic.
And thanks for showing it. You are super brave.
Posted by: Goon Squad Sarah | July 14, 2006 at 05:43 PM
Thanks for enlightening pre-baby me yet again.
Posted by: Leah | July 14, 2006 at 06:24 PM
Wow. The best new blog I have seen in a long time. I feel good about being somewhat normal. I especially liked the post from the woman with infertility problems. Reminded me that yes, stretch marks and pooches are bad, but not having my baby-boo would be 1 million times worse. Thanks, Amy.
Posted by: Noelle | July 14, 2006 at 09:30 PM
Noelle- that post was from our own darling Jenn, of Jenn's Journal (http://jennsjournal.clubmom.com/). She mentioned it in an entry earlier this week (seriously, I am the last ClubMommer to know about this site, and feel lame about that a little).
Posted by: Amalah | July 14, 2006 at 10:32 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am currently 37 weeks pregnant with #2 and you can only imagine how I am feeling. Now I feel invigorated.
Posted by: mother2faith | July 14, 2006 at 11:56 PM
oh wow. i'm crying over here. i keep forgetting what a treasure my body is.
Posted by: rachael | July 15, 2006 at 11:23 AM
You have no idea how much I needed to visit this site this week. No idea. None. Nope.
Thank you.
Posted by: jozet | July 15, 2006 at 11:39 AM