Grace & Efren

“… it’s no good leaving everything behind except one’s self, for there is no burden heavier than our ego.”

St. Peter Damian

Draw your own conclusions on this. But it’s definitely something to ponder.

Yea, I said it!

Ask me if I use any of those stretch mark creams that claim to prevent stretch marks from appearing during pregnancy, and I’ll tell you N-O.  Why waste cash on buying creams that I know for a fact will not work.  

During my first pregnancy, I did buy into it early on, which was partly in the excitement of being pregnant and finding out what all other pregnant moms were supposed to be doing or what they were into.

Prenatal pills. check. huge fluffy pregnancy pillow. check. stretch mark creams. check. 

Of course there’s always that vanity factor with us women to perform every preventative measure possible from having our bodies change during pregnancy. But after I found out that stretch marks are highly genetic, meaning that if my mom had them then most likely I’m doomed to the same fate, then there was really no point investing in these creams. 

My wonderful husband pointed out to me that they’re my battle scars and that I should be proud of them. A reminder of the tough, agonizing, but beautiful journey taken with my 1st pregnancy. So instead of resenting them, I embrace them. Besides, I’ve accepted the fact that two piece bikinis are no longer in my future and that this web of stretch marks across my stomach is only going to get bigger with this 2nd pregnancy.

And I’m completely fine with that. 

Don’t believe me? i’ll show you, but I don’t think you’d want to see that. =)