She's Really Let Herself Go

I never know how to take it when someone says, "You don't look pregnant."  I want to say thanks, except in my mind I am thinking, "Oh, so they just thought I was getting chubby."  I am currently at 14 weeks...you know the phase where you just look like you are getting pudgy around your mid section.  When I see people I just want to shout, "I really haven't let myself go.  I am pregnant!" 

I can no longer suck anything in.  I am a person who regularly works out, but you know, as ladies we still have to suck in sometimes.  Its an amazing trick.  We look instantly thinner and can hold that look for a while.  BUT...when you are in your second trimester, there is no more sucking in.  And yet, I am not quite at that cute pregnancy belly phase.  It's weird.  I find myself changing a million times, buying super stretchy skirts, and wearing a lot of cardigans.

So, I broke down and decided to go maternity shopping.  As I passed all these cute, bright spring clothes for the everyday woman, I made my way to the maternity section.  HORIZONTAL STRIPES in everything????  Really???  I mean I know that a baby bump is the one time it's cute to have a belly, but come on....do I really need to accentuate it with horizontal stripes?

If the horizontal stripes weren't enough to make me laugh, then it was the awkwardness of the pants and the shorts.  At first glance, I was not sold.  I mean, I want the cute clothes I saw at in the normal sections of Target, Old Navy, the Gap and Forever 21 (yes I still shop there).  But nonetheless, I was determined to buy some maternity clothes.

I immediately refused any item with the long belly band attached.  I don't like anything too high on my stomach in my normal clothes, so I wrote them off during pregnancy.  However, I was forced to try them because there aren't many options when you are preggers.  I must admit...as much as it pains me...they were way more comfortable than I expected.  And after trying them on repeatedly I have a new found respect for them.  In fact, as I am writing this I am wearing a belly band over my non-maternity shorts (which I can no longer button or zip all the way) and feel quite comfortable.

And I have come to a new conclusion: I will be one of those women, after I have delivered this baby, that continues to wear her maternity clothes way past the normal amount of time.  And when that happens, then you can come to me and have a little talk about how I have let myself go.