Looks Aren’t Everything

by Brittany on April 26, 2011 · 30 comments

I’m glad I learned this lesson at an early age.  I’ve never been the beautiful girl that people treated differently because she was just so darn gorgeous. I was friends with those girls, but I was not one of them.

DSCN1137 I’m in the middle ;)

Sound like I’m getting down on myself? I’m not!  I’m all about Operation Beautiful and loving you for you.  I don’t think I’m ugly.  In fact, I think I’m pretty darn cute sometimes.  And I’m glad I wasn’t drop dead gorgeous because it allowed me to develop a personality- a sarcastic, silly, fun personality.

Another reason I’m glad I haven’t had to depend on my looks my whole life? Because looks fade.  Beginning when you’re pregnant ;)

I can’t tell you how crazy it is to see the body that you’ve know your whole life changing in front of your eyes.  To know that your boobs are only going to get bigger and your belly grow larger in the coming months.

almost 21 weeks

It makes getting dressed frustrating because I knew how to dress my old body- accentuate my waist, downplay hips and thighs.  But now, my waist is gone.  What do I accentuate?!

almost 21 weeks b

I also know I’m only halfway there.  And I’m only 5’1”.  And that I probably won’t recognize myself in August.

As someone that is so passionate about taking care of myself and staying fit, I’m really working on focusing on health.  Normally I can tell if I’m on track.  Eating right, drinking lots of water and exercising leads to a a tighter figure, longer endurance and a feeling of strength.  Now when I exercise I get an achy back and exhausted.

And it’s amazing how I never saw myself as thin, but looking back at pictures from only a few months ago, I’m amazed at how flat my “not flat” tummy was.

6 weeks 6 weeks pregnant

 

But then in the evening, I’ll lay down on the couch and watch my belly.  I’ll see my stomach pop up suddenly, with one swift punch or kick from our baby that I’m growing.  And I giggle.  Which makes my boobs and belly jiggle.  And I giggle harder.

Because looks aren’t everything.

I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to grow a life that is half me and half Hubbs.  I’m so grateful that I’ve had such a healthy, and relatively easy pregnancy.

In fact, Baby D just woke up and is wiggling again.  And despite the fact that I’m living in yoga pants because none of my clothes fit, I’ll be smiling all day and dreaming of what this little life inside of me will grow up to be.

…because looks aren’t everything.

{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }

Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good April 26, 2011 at 9:15 am

Wonderful post, Brittany. I agree that looks aren’t everything, but I think you look great. It’s a strange thing, watching your body change like that, but it’s so worth it! :)

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Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) April 26, 2011 at 10:01 am

That was the sweetest post. Those pictures of you in the white tank are so pretty! Really, they are so beautiful. I always wonder how I’ll look pregnant because I’m only 5’2″ but now I’m not worried because you look great!

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Kimberly @ Healthy Strides April 26, 2011 at 10:14 am

First of all, you look AMAZING. Pregnancy is tough on the self esteem and it can be an effort to stay positive. Focusing on staying healthy is a fantastic way to create good feelings.

Great post!

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Rachel @ Rachel's Recipe Reviews April 26, 2011 at 10:21 am

First of all, you are gorgeous! I mean, I’m sure you get a million compliments on your smile every day! With that being said, I had my baby 7 months ago, and I totally get what you are saying. Being pregnant is great because there is a reason to be big (and beautiful!). It is the after-pregnancy that I am struggling with–stretch marks and sagginess. But that is when you have to depend on your baby (and your husband) to give you a sense of perspective. Oh, and did I mention that you’re gorgeous?

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jordan April 26, 2011 at 10:21 am

You are too cute! Love the post and your adorable pregnant self ;)

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Caree @ Fit-Mama April 26, 2011 at 10:25 am

You are so beautiful pregnant! And you are right, looks aren’t everything! But you know how many woman probably look at you wishing they were you?!! It is a gift to be able to be pregnant!

And it is so weird to see your body transform right before your eyes. Somehow you forget what you used to look like prebaby. But you will get your old body back before you know it. It seriously goes by that fast!!! Embrace every moment while you are pregnant!!

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Suzanne April 26, 2011 at 10:27 am

I needed to hear this this morning. I love that your belly really looks pregnant! I feel like I am just getting to that point. Have a wonderful day :)

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Maria @ Oh Healthy Day April 26, 2011 at 10:29 am

What beautiful photos of yourself! I always say that pregnant women are just insanely beautiful and I mean it.

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shannon (the daily balance) April 26, 2011 at 11:10 am

looks might not be everything, but you are certainly GORGEOUS!

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Graze With Me April 26, 2011 at 11:10 am

Great post and so true! It’s a hard thing to deal with, KNOWING that no matter what, our bodies will continue to get bigger and bigger as pregnancy progresses.

But, as you said, the little kicks and reminders that there is a person in there makes it so much easier to handle!

PS. I didn’t know you were 5’1″! Here I was getting frustrated that I wasn’t showing yet but I’m 7 inches taller….probably has something to do with it. :) You look adorable.

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Susan Kennedy April 26, 2011 at 11:11 am

I’m with you all the way on this one. It’s nerve wrecking knowing your only going to get bigger before your able to even try and get smaller. Everyone says embrace it, embrace it but it sometimes is hard when everything is out of your control and changing so quickly. I’ll tell you what though … just getting that baby in our arms will be worth all the stretch marks, weight gain, droppy boobage in the world. And Hey at least we have each other to make us feel normal :) PS: you look great and Baby D looks perfectly on track!

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Sarah for Real April 26, 2011 at 11:44 am

Even though looks aren’t everything, you DO look beautiful!

I think pregnant ladies end up emphasizing the part between boobs and belly. At least I’ve seen that a lot (belted usually) and it looks cute!

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Kelly April 26, 2011 at 1:09 pm

Just found your blog and 1.5 hours later…love it! You are stunning and look so stinkin’ cute preggos :)

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Katie H April 26, 2011 at 2:10 pm

I love this post. You look so gorgeous and glowing!

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Sarah April 26, 2011 at 3:09 pm

I agree with you! There is so much more going on with that body of yours- like a growing and miraculous BABY!
But with that said? I think you make for an absolutely stunning pregnant woman.

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Corey @ the runner's cookie April 26, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Love this! I think all pregnant women have an extra glow and cute shape that totally overshadow any “flaws” they might see in their body. I think there is something to be said about growing up and learning to value things other than looks (and getting love and attention for things over than your looks). I am really glad that my parents instilled that in me, and it makes me so sad to see how much our culture values this unrealistic, fake image of “beauty.” You are so beautiful in those pictures with the white shirt! :)

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Lauren @ Hungry Dancer April 26, 2011 at 3:39 pm

This is amazing! It’s important to be more than looks. You can be the most beautiful girl in the world, but if you’re insides are ugly you’re ugly.

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Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen April 26, 2011 at 4:09 pm

This post almost made me want to be pregnant so I could have such glow-filled affirmations.

But again. ALMOST. :)

Hugs to you and the baby!

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Parita @ myinnershakti April 26, 2011 at 4:40 pm

I think you’re glowing! What an exciting time for you and your husband. And you are absolutely right…looks aren’t everything…in fact, I believe true beauty evolves from the inside out! :) Have a great day!

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Sherry April 26, 2011 at 4:49 pm

Looks don’t fade when you are pregnant–they blossom! And you are an absolutely beautiful woman (pregnant or not)!

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Karlee @olivewineandfood April 26, 2011 at 5:21 pm

I think you look great!

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John J April 26, 2011 at 6:12 pm

You were always gorgeous/beautiful growing up – and you still are! (Daddy still knows best!)

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Autumn @ Good Eats Girl April 26, 2011 at 9:15 pm

I love this post! I honestly think that the pregnancy glow that women have is just beautiful! And you look great! There are so many body changes, but I relished each of them because I knew that I was growing a beautiful little baby!

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Liz @ IHeartVegetables April 27, 2011 at 9:15 am

This is such an amazing post!!! I love it, and girl, you look AMAZING!!!

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Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans April 27, 2011 at 9:56 am

What a beautiful and honest post!! I think you look absolutely gorgeous with that little tummy and I am enjoying living vicariously through your pregnancy (I’m stillnot ready for my own lil’ one)
Thanks for sharing this!!

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Brittney April 27, 2011 at 10:02 am

I could have written this exact same post (except I’m not pregnant)! I feel the same way about my looks. I don’t think I’m ugly at all, but at the same time my looks have never been something I relied on to get me anywhere and I’ve never felt they were my strongest attribute. I think you look so cute pregnant Brittany :) Hoping I will look this way soon!

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blackhuff April 28, 2011 at 5:41 am

You are so right – looks aren’t everything but with society like today’s, looks are everything it seems.

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Heather @ kissmybroccoli April 30, 2011 at 8:44 am

Aww, what a great post! I LOVE that first pregnancy pic of you holding your belly! You are absolutely gorgeous!

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