34-Week Bumpdate: Final Month of Pregnancy
We’re officially in the final month of this pregnancy — how did that happen so quickly?
I haven’t done a regular bumpdate this time around for a couple of reasons:
1. Second-baby syndrome — the weekly bump photos somehow fell off my radar.
2. We’ve been nonstop with projects and family travel, so time has just raced by and we honestly feel far from prepared.
(Photos by Alisha Rudd Photography)
In about four weeks, Robert, Olivia, and I will be welcoming this little one (who is much larger than a bean now) into our home.
To be honest, I’m not the calm, serene mama gazing at an empty crib and waiting patiently for the grand debut. Some days I feel excited and grateful, and other days I worry about getting everything ready or how my body has changed.
Can I be candid for a moment? I’ve struggled to love my body through this pregnancy. Social media can be a real trap — searching hashtags like #LTKbump will only invite comparison and unrealistic expectations. I’ve gained 42 pounds so far despite trying to stay active and eat well (I gained 55 pounds with my first pregnancy). Still, I remind myself daily that this is temporary and worth every uncomfortable moment.
I share this for other expectant and postpartum moms who sometimes feel discouraged about their appearance. These photos may look polished, but they don’t tell the whole story. There are stretch marks, backaches, and days when everything feels heavy. Still, there are also those gentle nudges and tiny movements that fill my heart with gratitude.
I’m deeply aware that many women long for even one of these moments. I refuse to take this experience for granted. Being a mother — whether birth mom, adoptive mom, foster mom, or a mom who has lost a child — is incredibly hard, and it is also profoundly rewarding. In the past months I’ve met moms from every background and season of motherhood; I am continually moved by their strength and the ways love shows up in so many forms.
That mirror on the wall does not define you. How you choose to respond to the world each day — your mindset, your patience, your kindness — matters far more than a reflection. I will always care more about how my daughter(s) see me than how I see myself in a mirror. It’s common for moms to miss recognizing their own beauty because they’re so busy giving to others.
When you scroll through Instagram or Facebook, remember that those curated images rarely reflect the whole truth. Many of the women in styled photo shoots are wrestling with the same doubts and insecurities you feel. Comparison steals joy; empathy and honest conversations restore it.
“You are beautiful for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.” – Psalm 139:14
In a few weeks the blog may be quieter while we adjust to a new newborn routine. I expect there will be a learning curve in embracing my postpartum body, but mostly we’ll be busy counting tiny fingers and toes and naming all the ways we are blessed.
And a quick note for fellow pregnant mamas who asked about my maternity dresses: both of the styles I wore are currently sold out in my colors. They were from a small boutique I love, and similar styles can often be found seasonally at other retailers or local boutiques if you’re shopping for a maternity session.
We are so grateful to share this journey with you. Thank you for your love and encouragement.
Big hugs!
