Well, 35 weeks pregnant came and went in a bit of a blur. With 5 weeks to go, it was suddenly very real. I’ve been dreaming about going into labour and worrying about the baby continuously – it’s moving too much, not moving enough, why’s it hiccuping ALL the time, etc!
Mike was still away and I was feeling a bit miserable, particularly after a visit to my Grandparents. My Grandad turned 80 last weekend. He’s an amazing man, still working full time running his own business, very fit and healthy. What he hasn’t picked up with age, however, is any tact, and while we were watching the Wimbledon final last Sunday and just after I’d enjoyed a chocolate, he decided it was important to tell me, in a very matter-of-fact way, that I’d put on more than baby weight. Particularly in my face and legs. Although I knew this was true, it made me feel like utter shit! And, without Mike being around to make me feel better, I was very down.
And, the feeling stuck around for most of the week. That coupled with trying to finish my report so that I can start my maternity leave, I’d say I was happy to see the end of my 35th week!
What I did do during my 35th week, which I am really pleased I did before I went to see Grandad, was a photo shoot. This was actually a belated Birthday present for Mike as he had mentioned it would be nice to have some photos of me pregnant. So, I called up our wedding photographer, Caroline, and sheepishly asked her if she would be willing to do some maternity photography for me (and I did mention the ‘sexy’ word – cringe!).
Well, thankfully, she wasn’t phased in the slightest by my request and was more than happy. So, a day after I turned 35 weeks pregnant I got my kecks off! It was such a lovely afternoon – I felt relaxed and despite the fact that I generally feel massive (as confirmed by Grandad), it was nice to celebrate this time too.
I got the photos back yesterday and I am so pleased with them – particularly after feeling generally miserable about my body, this has been a nice little boost. So my new recommendation is if you are struggling with body image, that so happily sits with pregnancy weight gain, get your kit off! Although pregnancy feels like FOREVER, it’s not and in no time I’m going to have a little baby. I may well even miss this bump that is making me walk like a duck, with a fat face and extra large tree trunk legs.
Although most of the photos are for Mike’s eyes only, I thought I’d share one because Caroline did such a good job of avoiding the usual cheesy preggo shots, and I’m amazingly impressed to say that with the right lighting and a very talented photographer some of them are quite frankly hot! (If I do say so myself)
Courtesy of Caroline Briggs, www.carolinebriggs.co.uk
So there you go! I’m sure this won’t be the last of Caroline (now our family photographer!) as I’ll be enlisting her help again once mini-Mike makes its appearance.
If you want some maternity photography like this (and I recon everyone should now!), you can contact Caroline through her website: www.carolinebriggs.co.uk
14 comments
Ems on 7-16-2012 at 4:16 pm
Wowee hotee! Mike’s birthdays all came at once! I’m hoping that I’ll get a “boost” from the waxing and hairdressers appointments I have this week but frankly I’ll probably leave weeping from one of them. It’s also encouraging to know that others too worry that the amount of movement is either never enough or too much-like the little taca is beating the hell out of you cause something’s not right!
Anyway loving the photo and the reminder that we pregnant chicks are sexy as! Big love sistas x
hannah on 7-17-2012 at 10:24 pm
If only you weren’t due next week I’d be frog marching you to Caroline’s as we speak
enjoy your wax – I’ve been seriously putting it off but it’s getting unreasonable down there now…see you soon baby mama xx
Ayoade Sotinwa-Doughty on 7-17-2012 at 8:54 am
Hi, you look ahhmazing!!! I did the same thing when I was 34 weeks as my skin and hair were aweful (pregnancy glow never made it to me) and I just needed to feel abit glam!! Was the best thing I did during my pregnancy!! Now my bump photo is on our wall next to our daughters first photoshoot!! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!!! I think you look gorgeous!!
hannah on 7-17-2012 at 10:30 pm
Awwww
thank you so much! Totally know what you mean re preganancy glow – I can’t go anywhere without sudocrem at the moment, I’m spot central. Fortunately Caroline fixed that (plus a bit of extra unwanted armpit, etc) with photoshop! Definitely the way forward for all pregnant ladies because as Emily says, we are sexy as (even though we feel like poo!).
Hxx
Kirsty Paterson on 7-17-2012 at 10:10 am
Wow. You look amazing. Absolutely stunning. And you can tell your grandad that your very clever body has gained weight all over in order to provide nourishment to your baby over the course of a year through breastmilk – it’s designed to gradually be used up. Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, that’s what your body is doing, and it’s bloody wonderful. Once you have a baby you have a new found respect for your body, perhaps a little rounder around the edges and never just quite the same, but all the more perfect and valuable for it. A woman’s body is a miracle.
hannah on 7-17-2012 at 10:38 pm
Thank you Kirsty, you ray of sunshine – all pregnant woman need a little you in their pocket! Feeling a bit guilty for sobbing Grandad in now though – I’m sure he didn’t mean to be so tactless. He was merely stating a fact. It’s just that that fact was happy to be the elephant in the room!
Anyway, it is all a miracle,and it still doesn’t seem real that in 3 or so weeks this little person, who’s been kicking the sh*t out of me for months, is going to coming out (We’ll skirt over that bit for now!) and I’ll be doing all the stuff I’ve been reading about for real… Can’t wait! I think…!
Hxx
Jade on 7-17-2012 at 11:43 am
You look absolutely stunning! I have booked a bump to baby photoshoot at a local studio which I’ll do at 33 weeks but have been toying with the idea of a naked shoot.. You have convinced me to get one organised! Pregnancy really is beautiful
hannah on 7-17-2012 at 10:43 pm
Do it!!
I hadn’t actually intended on this being a naked shoot but as it happened I was comfortable and felt so relaxed I didn’t really notice when we decided certain shots were look better without the granny pants/ugly maternity bra I had on! funny that.
But yes, it really isn’t all that daunting in the end and, yes, it is beautiful so get your bump(s) out! xxx
Ania on 7-17-2012 at 3:13 pm
Sexy momma!! Love it, you look amazing xxxxx
hannah on 7-17-2012 at 10:21 pm
Haha
thanks love and backacha xx
Iwanttobeamum on 7-18-2012 at 1:39 pm
You look absolutely stunning
Its made me think about getting my own photos done once I reach a few more weeks.
x
hannah on 7-18-2012 at 3:32 pm
Do it, mrs anonymous! It can be your big announcement to the world that soon you’re gunna be a mama! Oh and you’re still fit
hope you’re keeping – seems so on your blog xx
Alice on 7-29-2012 at 12:42 pm
oh my god, you look AMAZING.
I got Will to take some naked preggo shots of me when I was pregnant with Elfie bit they’re a bit cheesy and rubbish. These are absolutely fantastic x
hannah on 8-6-2012 at 11:28 pm
Ah, thanks Alice! I bet you look like a fox regardless of any cheese or rubbish. Hope like with little Hux is treating you well xxx