I Want My Body Back

I am just a few days from delivering my third child. It has been a long two years, having had back-to-back pregnancies on top of full-time teaching, and I am eager to have my body back. I don't have any illusions about returning to my pre-baby "size" or "weight," I am simply eager to return to the activities that I enjoyed before - skiing, biking, yoga. I want to build my strength and stamina again. It turns out that physical activity is a part of my life that I need secure in order to feel whole and complete as a person.

I love the privilege of having carried my children to term, and I will treasure the opportunity to raise them in an environment wherein we enjoy our health and the outdoors.

MWM Turns 30

Gain Weight! Huh?

My OB has jokingly been telling me to gain weight, even though my weight gain has been "normal" and in keeping with my last two pregnancies. It's as though he worries about most patients gaining too much, so in his relief, he is happy to deliver the news that I am welcome to pig out a little more if I should choose to.

Trouble is - or isn't, it seems - I already eat everything that I want to. My family has seen it (a whole mushroom pizza by myself last month); my friends have seen it (5 brownies at the last home party I went to); and I can tell the difference myself (I've already reached the weight I was when I delivered my nearly 9-lb Isabelle).

It is interesting to me that no matter what we women do, someone else is always looking to see whether or not we've gained or lost weight. If we gain too much, we aren't taking care of ourselves. If we lose too much, we have a disorder. I have to wonder if cultures all over the world have these same concerns with weight. Yet another reason to pursue my dream of moving my family to Italy and writing for a living...

MWM Turns 30