The baby comes out and you go back to normal...right?

2.5 years ago- September 17, 2005

Have you heard changes happen to you during pregnancy? Not just the obvious ones- like your expanding waist line or increased sensitivity to all smells. I am talking about the random, unknown things that pregnancy leaves behind. It has been 10 1/2 months since giving birth. At first, I thought all the "stuff" told me was just a fluke.

No, no, no. It is very true. The first was my body shape. It did not change much after Jacob was born. I expected him to weigh more and I weigh less. that may not have been very realistic since I gained between 55-60 pounds!!!! But, you hear all kinds of stories. And that tummy. I still looked pregnant for weeks afterward. Oh my goodness! So, two months postpartum I had shrunk down a little. It was my high school reunion and I did not want to wear my boring maternity clothes to the party. Besides, I needed to send my maternity clothes to my Cousin Nicole. So, I bought a few new casual items at gap. Size 8. That is big for me- I am 5'3". My clothes felt so weird on my body. My butt-not where it use to be. My arms-not so skinny. And my "girls"-well that is a whole'nother story. As each month past, it brought me closer to my normal weight. Now, I am at my prepregnancy weight. My girls-still big. My butt-much better. My legs are smaller than before, and my arms are pretty much skinny again. Do my clothes fit the same as prepregnancy? Even though I am the same dress size, no. But it is a new me, a new shape, and some getting use-to.
Two weeks before Jacob

Leaving the hospital-I could have walked out on my own, but the sweet volunteer insisted I use the chair.

Two Months post partum

6 months post

So what else has changed? My teeth! So, I went to the orthodontist in January. My retainer no longer "works". I have worn that thing religiously since 8th grade when my braces came off. I knew the sacrifice my parents made so I could have "straight" teeth, and by golly, I was going to keep them that way! I thought I could get a new retainer and all would be good. Boy was I shocked to hear that my teeth moved...my bite is no longer perfect. What? What? I need braces again? But I have worn my retainer all but maybe ...20 times in 15 years. It costs what????? Needless to say that braces today are more expensive than they were in 6th grade (when almost no one had them). Isn't supply and demand suppose to drive down the costs? So, my lower teeth have moved. My jaw line has changed a little. I have a new facial structure and a new retainer to keep my new crooked teeth just where they are (until I have braces again someday-if ever).

Like I said I have the story about my "girls"...but that can wait for an upcoming story about nursing and weaning...yea!

So, for me, pregnancy has left a few bad changes and some good.
My most recent picture with my new natural hair color in my Mommie Mobile-10 months post

Has anything changed for better or worse with your pregnancy?????