What about my body?

I saw this challenge on Secret Agent Mama’s blog this morning, and I’ve decided to take it up.

We can blame the media and the flawless and fake images they parade before us on television and print, but blame can only take us so far.
Eventually, we are going to have to stand up and decide for ourselves whether or not we are beautiful
And, I say we are.

Boy, this has been tough to find the words for this one.  It’s so easy for me to find fault with virtually my entire body.  But, it’s very difficult to single out just one, and even more difficult to take a photo of the offending part.

I could choose from the hair that has started growing on my face since I was pregnant with Connor :-0 (but hopefully it’s hormone related and I’m seeing a gynae about it on Monday).  Or, the grey hair I’m starting to get (but that is dyed).  Or the wrinkles in my neck that have been there for as long as I can remember, and is a link to my mom because she has the same lines (so it’s not a problem at all). Or my knees that are so scarred from the countless falls I had as a child and are now worsened by me kneeling to bath my children (and how can I moan about that). Or my pear-shaped hips which make it almost impossible to wear a pencil skirt. Or my non-existent boobs which are now smaller than an A cup after Connor’s birth.

I’m choosing my tummy.   I’ve never had a pancake flat stomach… ever.  And having children has just made it slightly worse. 

Because of what I’ve been through trying to fall pregnant, and finally keeping my babies; I have finally accepted my tummy.  It’s helped create life.  It’s helped create the most beautiful beings I could ever imagine.  It’s kept them safe until they were ready… well, not quite in Connor’s case.  Well, actually, even in Connor’s case… because it was strong enough not to let me feel the contractions and thereby letting him stay in my tummy for longer . 

It’s got a reminder of my wilder, childless days too.  I still have a scar on my belly button from the belly ring that I had to remove while pregnant with Bradley because my tummy stretched so much.

This is me exactly a year ago, 32 weeks pregnant with Connor.

Thinking about this post, made me realise that I’m generally quite happy with my body and who I am within my body.  Take it or leave it, this is who I am. So, thanks for the challenge, it’s been great to think about myself in this way.