The thought of taking pregnancy pictures didn’t even cross my mind until a few weeks ago (ie: rather late in the pregnancy). It may have to do with the fact that photo shoots feel like work to me, so if it’s not necessary, why do it? :p I didn’t even want (studio)wedding pictures taken because it felt like too much work I thought that those taken on the actual day would be enough. I still pull out that folder to look at occasionally because it makes me very happy remembering the day our families and friends celebrated with us. It really was such fun!
While I think I’m unlikely to look back at pregnancy pictures and think “What fun!”, I hear I might change my mind because some think pregnancy IS fun in comparison to everyday life with a newborn.I’ll check back on this when Renee arrives 
I saw some really nice pregnancy pictures of my friends on facebook, and that got me thinking : Would I like a momento of the time my waist looked like a balloon? I mean, it is a miracle that the skin can stretch so! I know I’ve been very blessed to only be experiencing swollen fingers and toes at week 34. Water retention usually sets in earlier than later so I’m thankful for Any reprieve! Oh and fyi, drinking water really does help in reducing water retention – a concept difficult for me to grasp cos I wouldn’t be eating more if I wanted my body to stop retaining calories, would I?
Anyway, I’m digressing so back to the pregnancy pictures. I called a friend and asked if he did pregnancy portraits since he does a great job with weddings – he said it isn’t his main line of business but would be glad to experiment. Yippee!
I was a little uncomfortable at the start of the shoot, when I had to stand under the lights in my yoga looking pants and a tube top. Contributing to that was firstly my balloon of a waist. And then there’s this little nose sticking out of it. I was tempted to give it a name but was afraid it’d stick around if it had a name. Dan wanted to give it a face – y’know, like draw eyes above it and a smiley beneath it. That got him a good glare.
It’s my belly button. I miss my old one which was an innie. A good, unobtrusive innie. Then it went and grew right along with the belly and it’s now a way outie. I guess it’s more befitting of its button namesake but it really is a pet peeve with me. So much so I’d wear clothes with prints, or clothes that were really loose so the bump on the smooth contour of my belly wouldn’t be obvious. Yes, I do know it’s irrational but that’s a pregnancy privilege (right along with being able to eat/not eat anything, not carry groceries or get up to get that next drink *smug smile)
It’s a good thing that both my friend and his partner (first meeting with this guy!) are both fathers. They weren’t squeamish about/around a pregnant woman, and understood irrational fears and peeves. Plus after them throwing about pregnancy stories and parenting tips, I felt very much better quickly – even about my belly button. See? Confronting your fears really does make them go away.
I asked Dan to be in the pictures with me and his first question was “Do I have to show my pregnancy too?” – that earned him a big big laugh. My funnyman really does make me happy. Like Ha Ha sorta happy almost everyday. I think that’s good for baby and good for us
Was waiting for pictures to upload with this post (shoot was done 2nd week of Mar), but my photographer’s still out of town. Will post pics once they come in!
