The STRETCH MARKS Post

Here are some pictures of Brant and me at the Farmer's Market this past Sunday.  I realized I don't have a lot of candid, clothed preggo pictures of me, since I'm usually the one holding the camera...and I didn't want to regret not having some.  So in these final weeks I'll be doing my best to get other, less posed preggo shots, so baby can see them in the future.

And, of course, here's one of Brant being both annoyed and patient with me, that I'm taking pictures....

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Now, here's the real topic of this post: Stretch Marks.

In order to cope with the fact that I'm getting new stretch marks, I've decided full disclosure is best.  It's almost compulsory these days; all of my close friends have had to deal with me lifting up my shirt and showing them my new 'battle scars' (though I prefer not to call them that.  This isn't a battle.  This is magnificent).  I've gotten this feeling that if I am just as open about them as possible, they won't hold any negative power over me.  

And, though I'd rather not have them, I'm still in some sort of awe.  

Here's a close up (the stretch marks are on the bottom of my belly):

They're lighter than my other ones from my adolescence~I really think it's because I've been applying belly oils and lotions.  

And you know, I told myself if I got stretch marks, I wouldn't stop posting bare bellied pictures and such; I don't want to promote shame of something so natural.  

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And finally (though I know this post is a conglomeration of A LOT of things...)here are some 32 week belly shots.  Maddy even makes a cameo in these! 

 This one is actually my favorite:

And the long view too, with Maddy looking up:

And that's about it for this week's post!