Looking back at my bump by week photos, I feel honored and proud. They are mine. I grew that baby. 

I endured 41 weeks of pregnancy with so much nausea within the first trimester and intense heat throughout the last trimester. My body endured a long labor and a c-section.

Looking back at these pictures I see this stranger. Who had no idea what it would be like to care for a baby, who couldn’t imagine being a parent, and who was just so innocent. I see this young stranger, with less stretch marks, less scars, and beautiful hair (it’s changed a lot since). And also this young stranger who had no idea what was really in store and how much fuller her life was about to become. 

I honor the bravery of my past self. It’s a reminder of how big that belly really was and how it felt compared to the child that came out of it later. 

Those ‘9 months’ of pregnancy put me through some horrible and wonderful moments. Every time I look back at these, I’m in shock at our natural abilities to grow a child within our bodies and birth them into real live little humans.

It’s a crazy journey.