Mama Style: 23 Weeks with Blanqi

Can I just be super honest about pregnancy and body image right now and say that 3rd babies are not particularly kind to a mama’s body?

I’m not one of those people who has ever had a “perfect body” and I’ve never had unrealistic desires about it ever reaching such status. I am OK with my body and I appreciate it for what it is – an amazing specimen that carried, birthed and fed two beautiful humans. That said…things are certainly more squishy and stretched now, and while I know it comes with the territory, it’s still sometimes difficult adapting to a rapidly changing pregnant body.

I remember my first two pregnancies and how my bump became round and smooth fairly soon into the pregnancy. This time around with things already more stretched out to begin with and with more lumps and bumps to start I haven’t felt particularly confident showing off my belly in photos. Pretty much all I’ve wanted to wear this time around has been maternity jeans and super loose tops to hide rather than accentuate my growing belly. For some reason I just hadn’t felt very cute or comfortable in my own skin this time around.

Thankfully Blanqi saved the day with some of their new products that made me feel so cute that I finally let my friend document my growing belly this past weekend. It only took 23 weeks, but Blanqi helped me find my confidence.

I actually wore Blanqi toward the end of my last pregnancy as well (the maternity underbust support tank) and really loved it (the support is seriously INSANE – so good!), but wanted to try something different this time and went with their belly support tanktop and belly support leggings. Can you tell I like my belly to be well supported? Ha! I love the support that both give individually, but wearing both the leggings and the tank together is like magic for a tired belly. I wore this after a full two days on my feet – shopping for props and then styling for a photo shoot. My belly and back were so sore and aching and I was about to fly home which means lots of walking around airports. This pants/tank combo seriously saved me! Also I fully intend to wear Blanqi leggings forever now (they have non-maternity high waist ones too!) because they are so soft and comfy and FLATTERING. Praise Jesus! The material and the perfectly placed seams smooth out all those little lumps and bumps and lift everything just the right amount.

I’m also rocking a t-shirt from their new graphic tee line and I am in love with it. I love the empowering phrase “MOTHERHOOD IS MY MUSE” because this is what motherhood truly means to me. Sure my belly isn’t as smooth and round as it once was and my hair is doing weird, hormonal pregnancy things and my face is looking more and more like a chipmunk by the day…BUT…motherhood is worth it. Motherhood is the love of my life and what drives me and it is so inspiring…even in the midst of getting snot wiped on my pants every day.  Hey! At least my snot pants are cute pants now!

Wearing:

tank: c/0 Blanqi

t-shirt: c/o Blanqi

leggings: c/o Blanqi

shoes: Adidas (similar)

sweater: gifted from a friend