30 WEEK PORTRAIT

I'm still metaphorically crying that I didn't start these weekly portraits from the beginning... but last week I started documenting a weekly belly portrait.  This is my 30 weeks preggo belly!  I love my linea nigra... at this point I love everything about a pregnant belly.  Well see if I still feel that way in a month!  But up to this point, I LOVE my belly.  I'm going to miss it so much when it's gone.  The only part I don't love is the weight of it at night.  Sleeping in all positions is becoming a bit uncomfortable, even with a body pillow.  But it's not terrible yet, just uncomfortable.

Her movement is becoming increasingly strong with each day.  A few days ago I got to see her foot stretch across my belly for the first time.  It was so fascinating.  I wish James had seen it too.  I can feel her all the way from my ribs to my pelvis area, and she tends to hang out on the right side of my belly.  I rarely feel the movement over on the left side. 

These little mini roses are my favorite, and the peachy orange color are my absolute favorite.  I'm hoping they will have them available for my baby shower.  Something about just having a little vase of fresh flowers in my home makes my heart so happy.  I don't get them all that often, but when I do I just delight in them everyday.  And then I always dry them and keep them afterwards to continue loving them. I think I might treat myself to them a bit more often...

SAYING HELLO TO THE THIRD TRIMESTER

It's hard to believe I'm already a couple of weeks into my 3rd trimester.  Time is going by so quickly.  I'm realizing just how soon my little babe will be here in the world with us, and I already want to put the breaks on just a bit.  I have enjoyed being pregnant so so much, with the exception of the irritations that have come along with it, like sciatica, de quervains tendinosis, raw tongue, migraines (although I've almost cured those), and a few (hundred) extra grey hairs.  My body decided to get all the weird ones... Now I'm starting to feel the fatigue (but were also in a retrograde phase that just started), and restless sleep.  But even with all of these things going on, I'm loving the process of pregnancy.  It's been such a surreal, magical experience for me.  After fearing it for years and years it's been such a wonderful thing to feel this way through it.  I think my body must of just known I was finally ready for this.  I hope I will be able to say the same thing about labor...

I have not taken portraits of myself throughout my pregnancy like I would have liked.  But now that I'm realizing how close the end is and that this part will be all over with soon, I really want to try to capture at least one a week.  I think Ava will look back fondly at these.  I think I need to make a physical scrapbook for her of this incubation period.  This was from last week, my 29th week. (I'm 30 weeks today). 

Beautiful handsewn top is from Run With The Tribe, kimono is from F21.

THREADS // THE BELLY

It's been such a wild journey to see my body change through pregnancy.  It's a bit of an emotional roller coaster.  One day I feel prettier than I ever have before, and the next I feel huge and frumpy.  Dressing my body has been more of a challenge, and I'm really learning what feels good and what simply doesn't even if I wish it did.  But I know this is just a transitional time, and one that is bringing the biggest miracle through it all.  It's truly amazing actually to watch my belly grow, and to see my little girl move around underneath my skin.  I'm still amazed every time she kicks or flips.  Last night we put a book on my belly to watch it bounce as she moved around.  Such a cool experience.  It looked like it was in an ocean wave or something.  I feel her more and more everyday, and it's a beautiful reminder that I am not alone.  She is already my little companion every single day. 

Now that I am seeing just how quickly this time in my life is passing by I'm really trying to document my belly more before it's gone.  From here on out I'm going to try to do weekly shoots if I can, or at least as many as I can.  I have just a few images of my mom when she was pregnant, and actually most of them are when she was pregnant with my brother.  I wish I had more.  I know one day Ava will love these.  Especially if she ends up being a little Cancer like me, she will most likely be a nostalgic soul. 

*see end of post for what I'm wearing*

OUTFIT DETAILS: crop top - the lilith moon // pants - one tribe apparel // necklace - suai suai

THREADS // 27 WEEKS

I'm technically already just past 28 weeks, but these photos were shot around 27 weeks.  We had a sweet little date with our neighbors at our local wine bar.  We are so blessed to have such nice peeps living next to us!  I can't remember where I got this top, but I'm loving it more now that I'm pregnant... and I've had this skirt for ages.  It's been fun to dig through my closet and see what I can wear through this pregnancy.  I am about to go buy another pair of maternity jeans though for my last 3 months b/c I just can't wear my other pair I bought b/c the low band puts too much pressure on my bladder when I sit down.  They fit everywhere else.  But I love my jeans, so I'm going to indulge in one more pair. 

Now that I am in the home stretch my body is definitely changing rapidly.  Ive got aches and pains popping up & some super moody blues... But every day is different, so I'm just savoring the good ones, and resting and going with the flow on the bad ones.  Accepting it all as part of the journey.  It's so wild thinking about how different life is going to be in 3 short months! 

*see bottom of post for artist tags*

OUTFIT DETAILS: necklace - roots & feathers (having a 20% off sale thru 4/8 with code ETSYLOVE) // 3 stone turquoise ring - broken arrow jewelry // magic ring - umberdove // brown stone ring - stunner collective // sandals - blowfish shoes