Self-Portrait Tuesday

THE COLORS OF MY REALITY

This series didn't come out as I imagined it would but I've been reminded recently that others see you and your work differently than you do.

So many women and men look forward to having babies and have difficulties.  I've been so fortunate to have healthy children and basically healthy pregnancies that maybe I take it for granted sometimes.  However, even the happiest woman who had to deal with fertility drugs or IVF to get pregnant surely feels like she'll be glad when this big fat heavy blessing moves on to the next stage that no longer involves pregnancy.  I love a lot of the "moments" of a pregnancy and will look back with fond memories and try to remember how those moments felt, but there are other moments and factors that I will not miss.

Feeling enormous, and yet another month to go.

Varicose veins gone wild.  These hurt like bruises but there's little I can do about them but keep my feet up.

Gestational diabetes means testing my blood glucose levels by pricking my finger five times a day.

Gestational diabetes also means giving myself an insulin shot every night before bed.

Click here to see the work of other participants in the Self-Portrait Tuesday project.

Comments

[KT]

First of all, you look beautiful! Yea, I don't know you, but it doesn't matter. From one formerly pregnant lady to one who currently is- you are awesome. With my last one I had to do 2x a day shots of blood thinner for almost 8 months. I am well used to the belly shot. When I began, I had to be alone, have quite in the room, ice my belly and try really hard to do it. By the end, I could talk on the phone, scold my child, put my shoes on (slip ons of course), brush my hair and give myself the Lovenox at the same time. Thanks for reminding me that whatever pregnancy throws me, I can get through it. I think there might be one more baby in our future. With my luck I will have triplets.

Seriously, you look wonderful!

[wool winder]

Great pictures! I had to scroll quickly through the last couple though because I was overcome with a queasy feeling. The power of a picture.

[Tiffany]

You are huge! I am sure that's the last thing you want to hear right now. Do you think you will be early? I remember when I was that size and sitting down in the evening and getting a good kick workout from inside. I swear she wanted to kick her way out! I really thought I was going to have a boy because of that.

I was being monitored for gestational diabetes but I squeaked by. I am really sorry to hear about your poor vericose veins. They look sore to look at! Is there anything you can do to releave the pain? Can you put cool cloths on them while you put your feet up?