As the morning came to an end, with the last set of mamas getting their photos done- I couldn’t help but be proud. The mission for the San Diego Moms Blog will always be connecting moms, whether online or offline. I would say we did just that and a little more during this photo shoot!
Kate
Melissa Tara Photography
1) Tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to my husband almost 5 years, and we have a 3 year old boy, Jake, and almost 1 year old girl, Taylor. My son is a goofball and loves dinosaurs – cue running around the house roaring! My daughter is in a hurry to grow up, and loves to do everything her big brother does.
Melissa Tara Photography
2) How do you feel about your current mom bod (vs your bod before babies)?
I feel great about my current mom bod! I love that my body has created, carried, and fed my two babies. It’s a beautiful thing. I look back at old photos and see that my eating and drinking habits had affected my weight. Now, I am chasing kids and cooking my family health conscious meals. My breasts will never be the same after feeding my kids, and I’m okay with that!
Melissa Tara Photography
3) What are some of the strengths that you love about your body in it’s current state?
I definitely feel like my arms are the strongest ever carrying around these babies. I’ll carry them as long as I can – they are my babies and I know one day I’ll wish I could rock them one last time like in the book Love You Forever.
Samantha
Melissa Tara Photography
1) Tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m a girl mom. I’ve got three beautiful little girls and I’m also a surrogate mom to a sweet little boy, and am 16 weeks pregnant with a surro baby girl. 2) How do you feel about your current mom bod (vs your bod before babies)?
I’ve always had a tiny physique. I work out frequently. My flaws to me have always been my stretch marks, but now I see strength in them. I’ve carried 5 babies. My stretch marks are a permanent trophy of that and I’m proud of them.
Melissa Tara Photography
3) What are some of the strengths that you love about your body in it’s current state?
I love that my body has proven itself through every pregnancy. It’s held strong and hasn’t quit on me yet, even through 5 pregnancies. I love my body because one look at me and you can tell I’m a mom. Tiger stripes and all.
Krystal
Crystella Photography
1) Tell us a little bit about your family.
I am a mother to 3 beautiful children. My two 14 year olds (b/g), and an 8 yr old daughter. I have also carried a set surrogate of twins (b/g) who are now 3 1/2.
2) How do you feel about your current mom bod (vs your bod before babies)?
I wish I could say that I have always had a great body image but the reality is, I have struggled with my weight since I was 9 yrs old. Despite myself being 25lbs heavier than what used to be my “normal weight” I was still overweight then.
Crystella Photography
3) What are some of the strengths that you love about your body in it’s current state?
This entire project has been a huge challenge for me and that’s why I did it. My daughters are gorgeous and I hope they always feel that way about themselves. As for myself, I have to learn to love this body- that it is strong, and helps me work to take care of my children and provide for my family.
Crystella photography
Ella
1) Tell us a little bit about your family.
My name is Ella. We are currently a military family stationed in San Diego. I live here with my husband Simon, and our kids, Kailee and Liam. I am blessed to be able to stay at home with the kids. We play with toys, sing songs and draw with different art supplies.
Crystella Photography
2) How do you feel about your current mom bod (vs your bod before babies)?
My pre-pregancy body always had a little pooch from being a foodie and working a 9-5 office job. I always feel shy to show off my tummy. Now, after having two babies, my stomach can be explained. I’m not ashamed to wear a bathing suit, as my body went through 18 months of creating two beautiful babies.
Crystella Photography
3) What are some of the strengths that you love about your body in it’s current state?
I’m not the type that exercises but I do enjoy going to yoga classes and walking. As my firstborn girl got older, my arms hurt from holding her. She just had her 2nd birthday weighing in at 27 pounds. She has prepared my arm muscles to hold baby brother (5 months) weighing in at 17 pounds.
Lisa
Crystella Photography
1) Tell us a little bit about your family.
My name is Lisa and I am a stay-at-home mom for my wonderful 6 year old son. He keeps me on my toes day and night and I love it! Between school, hockey, soccer and just general chaos we are always on the go. I also have my own home-based business and a part-time job, so me time is pretty rare.
2) How do you feel about your current mom bod (vs your bod before babies)?
Before having my son I was a competitive athlete, spending hours in the gym or on the field/court. I was proud of my body and staying in shape but boy did those priorities change once he was born. Between multiple surgeries and other setbacks it has taken me quite some time, but I have finally learned to love the new me. I may never be as toned or thin as I was before he was born, and I have to work harder just to stay where I am, but I feel like as long as I can keep my goals reasonable and love the skin I’m in then I can feel good about myself. It is really hard, but I try not to focus so much on the scale or how I used to look and instead appreciate all that my body has been able to do in recent years (even if it has taken a bit of a toll!)
Crystella Photography
3) What are some of the strengths that you love about your body in it’s current state?
My body has surprised me with its strength, in ways I never would have considered before. I suffered a spinal tissue injury when my son was 18 months old, followed it up with 2 sinus surgeries, and then had hernia surgery that left me unable to use my abdomen for 4 months, yet my body has been able to repair itself even with the manic pace of life with a little boy. I can keep up (mostly) with all the things we mamas do on a daily basis, even though my body has been through hell. If that’s not strength and beauty then I don’t know what is!
Kim
Melissa Tara Photography
1) Tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been a wife of almost 6 years and have a 3 year old daughter and a 3 month old baby boy.
2) How do you feel about your current mom bod (vs your bod before babies)?
My body has definitely changed since having children and especially after having my second baby. I am aware of my body image but have tried not to focus on it much. Despite all of the changes my body has been through and two c-sections, I have accepted how my body looks. After baby number two I have had to do a lot more work to get back to my pre pregnancy weight and have also had to do a lot more toning. I am also older and things just aren’t the same as when I was younger. It takes a lot more dedication, discipline and work but it’s my body and I have had the privilege of growing, carrying, and birthing two babies from it so any stretch mark, scar, fat, wrinkle or sag are just my reminders of being a mom and for that I will always be grateful.
Melissa Tara Photography
3) What are some of the strengths that you love about your body in it’s current state?
I am very fortunate to have a good metabolism and have always been conscious of eating healthy and exercising regularly. I still have 15 pounds to lose to get back to my pre pregnancy weight and fit into more of my non maternity clothes but I am in no rush. I try not to look at a scale but how I feel and how my clothes fit me. I am able to breastfeed my baby in my current state, extra fat and all, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. And to be honest, my face has never looked better despite my age and lack of sleep!
Becoming a mom changes your body in many ways. It also places a responsibility on you to help shape your kids’ self-esteem and body acceptance. You must learn to love your mom body for your own happiness and your kids’ future.
Becoming a mom changes your body in many ways. It also places a responsibility on you to help shape your kids’ self-esteem and body acceptance. You must learn to love your mom body for your own happiness and your kids’ future.