I hesitated in posting this image. It's intimate and personal and perhaps it's over-sharing. There's stretch-marks, blotchy pigmented skin, a few too many chins, an undressed child (and pillows for that matter)... ...but then I think there's something powerful in all those perceived imperfections... so I'm posting it anyway, despite feeling exposed and vulnerable.
This is me on the eve of my 40th week of pregnancy, with my firstborn darling daughter, who still loves nothing more than to be tucked up close to her mother in fetal postion.
My two babies - the ying and the yang.
* photo by Paddy
70 comments
You are brave and perfect. I adore this image so very much! Sending you wonderful birth vibes mama x
ReplyDeleteyou are beautiful, brave and strong. this is an image you will cherish, all its glory, all its beauty, for the rest of your life. I think less shame of the female form, in all her imperfections is one of the many things this world needs.
ReplyDeletethank you for being brave enough to share it.
sending many positive thoughts for your upcoming birth! xo
A beautiful image. Warm wishes for the time ahead. Tanya
ReplyDeleteI think you look beautiful! I didn't see any of the things you listed-just saw cozy cuddles :)
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteTHIS is photography! Real and raw; great composition and it's interesting. I don't think it's over-sharing at all. The world needs more of this kind of "real". I'm so sick of photos of over-processed skin, and cheesy cliché poses. THIS inspires.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful image, so true and genuine. Praying for you and your family in this exciting time! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Wishing you all the best. Im x
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you to Im... best wishes lovely xxx
DeleteYou are beautiful. Thank you for sharing this personal image. Waiting with excitement to hear the news
ReplyDeleteso beautiful claire. will be thinking of you and sending you all my best for the birthing. x
ReplyDeleteThis photograph is so simple, yet so beautiful and telling
ReplyDeletePerfection.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a beautiful birth and plenty of peaceful moments like these in the lead up to your new baby's arrival.
Such a wonderful exciting time!
rachel xox
It is the MOST beautiful image ever!!!! Those perceived imperfections are your baby trophies! Wear them with pride. Think how lucky you are to have done this amazing thing, to have grown a whole human.
ReplyDeleteIt's an absolutely gorgeous photo! Sending you positive birthing and healing thoughts from the other side of the world.
ReplyDeleteTook my breath away. Thinking of you all Claire...
ReplyDeleteRonnie xo
A wonderful image and so perfectly real; I know that tiredness, I know those stretch marks, I know that tenderness. What a moment, the still before the next life-changing event. So excited for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteYou are a beautiful and brave soon to be mumma to two. Stunning photo Paddy!
ReplyDeleteBreath taking! This is beautiful. You are beautiful. Love and blessings for your birth. So exciting that you will soon be meeting your babe. xx
ReplyDeleteStunning.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing. x
So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe most beautiful picture. Honest and empowering. So many happy wishes to you all Claire, I can't wait to hear of baby's safe arrival. Much love xxxx
ReplyDeletethis is so incredibly beautiful. thank you for sharing this moment.
ReplyDeletewhen looking at it, I was reminded of my friend jade's project http://www.abeautifulbodyproject.com/ maybe you'll like it as well.
Stunning photo! Thank you for sharing. Miss you. Hope everything goes well for you and little baby
ReplyDeleteXOXO
beautiful.
ReplyDeletethinking of you lovely, i was almost certain it had happened already.
x
Absolute perfection, Claire.thanks for sharing. Thinking of you. B xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Claire. Wishing you all the very best and looking forward to hearing your happy news. Mel x
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful and wonderful and moving and perfect Claire. Wishing love and strength and happiness for the next stage in your journey. Thanks for sharing with us. Steph x
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful Claire. I can't wait to here about your new arrival ... Thinking of you and wishing you all the best x
ReplyDelete*hear
ReplyDeleteSo so beautiful, it's the imperfections and venerability that make things even more beautiful.
ReplyDeletethis is so beautiful and so perfect in every way. I've been thinking if you and wondering..wishing you peace and strength and love x
ReplyDeleteI hope I look half as good as this at week 40! Beautiful, Claire. Lalie looks so angelic...Look forward to hearing your news xxx
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous image! You look so comfortable and safe together. Wishing you a healthy and happy delivery!
ReplyDeleteStunning image. All the best for a great delivery xx
ReplyDeletei love the thought of both your babes cuddled up so close. it's a beautiful picture, familiar and real. x
ReplyDelete''I think there's something powerful in all those perceived imperfections''that's exactly what i think too..Real life is not perfect..we are not perfect..but still life is beautiful and so we are.I'm looking forward to seeing you with two undressed children:) Hope you will be able to share it soon xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Barbara
ReplyDeleteSo powerful! So beautiful! The real life!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. What lovely lines. I love how your arm cradles her bottom. Best wishes with the next chapter!
ReplyDeletesending love, Claire. Best wishes to you all during this special time! Vulnerability is hard to give, but it sure is beautiful to receive. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely breath taking. I'm so glad your were brave, and posted it! Wishing you all the best and can't wait to hear the exciting news! Xx
ReplyDeleteso, so, so breathtaking! thank you for sharing it! i will be 40 weeks on friday and this makes me want to take more natural (less staged) photos with my babies.
ReplyDeleteoh, so perfect. you made a good call in sharing. we are all basking in the beauty of this moment.
ReplyDeletethinking of you in the next days! can't wait to hear of the arrival of #2!
just beautiful. thinking of you... x
ReplyDeleteIt' s nothing else than pure beauty, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of love. Such an incredibly beautiful photo which you will treasure as will your children in the future.
ReplyDeleteX
So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love your little girl still curled up like a little baby...and of course the even littler baby waiting to be born.
Best of luck!
So much simple beauty in this image. All the best for the arrival of your little one. x
ReplyDeleteThis photo is absolute perfection, Claire. Thinking of you all xx
ReplyDeleteI think it´s a beautiful photo! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful symmetry, so lovely in all that it says. Best wishes for a very safe arrival.
ReplyDeleteKate
Achingly beautiful! I look forward to hearing your news.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a beautiful form of expression. This is a real photo, and that makes it special.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
Mandy T.
so perfect in every way..
ReplyDeletesending you love as your little family of three becomes four.
ingrid x
my heart just skipped a beat.
ReplyDeletethis is perfection, in all it's glory.
wishing you a peaceful birth, can't wait to meet your newest soul.
xx ashley
this is so beautiful I cried (post partum hormones strike again)
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. In the way that only raw and true can be.
ReplyDeleteIt's an incredibly beautiful photograph. x
ReplyDeleteI just want to know you!! You are beautiful and true! Best of luck and easy delivery.
ReplyDeleteSlav
Love EVERYTHING about this.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck for the last few days/weeks of your pregnancy, the birth, and beyond
Xx
It is amazing. I wish I had something like it x
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous image Claire, thank you for sharing x
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeletewonderful .. so wonderful. those are the important moments. Hx
ReplyDeleteStunning, it took my breath away!
ReplyDeleteThis image brought tears to my eyes, it's so lovely. Thank you for deciding to share it.
ReplyDeletewell this is just quite beautiful. congratulations on your new little one.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful picture of love.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the most beautiful pictures of motherhood I have ever seen. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing....
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to comment - it really means so much. I will try to reply where I can! xx