The rule is to be modest, and we have certain guidelines set forth to help us understand what that means. The principle, however, runs much deeper than that. The principle of modesty asks us to maintain a sense of self-respect, keep our appearance on par with our morals, and set an example for the world. Even if some might say I have broken the rule of modesty by showing my naked belly to the internet, I don’t believe I disregarded the principle.

As far as Church leaders, I probably wouldn’t mail this in to force them to see it, but if they stumbled across it or asked me about it I wouldn’t be ashamed and I don’t believe they would disapprove. I think that some in the Church might not believe in interpreting things the way I do, but I feel content that my actions have not offended God or the Spirit, and thus I see no harm in them!

Three weeks postpartum, I am in absolute awe of my body. It has literally sprung back to its former shape and I am already just 7lb over my pre-pregnancy weight (which was slim, how I looked in my wedding photos) and my waist is just 2 inches bigger than it was then.

People told me at the time that I would get my body back, and I didn’t find it much comfort because I had to go all the way up before I could go back down again, but still I can see it should be easier next time, now I know how temporary it really is.

I too know a number of women who were overweight prior to conceiving who ‘lost’ weight in that their bumps got bigger and the rest of them got smaller. The scale overall didn’t change much.

Sounds like you’re on the right track with your pregnancy I am so excited for you!

I totally understand I am a control freak about weight. I don’t know how I am going to handle being pregnant. I am so short and the weight has only one place to go: out.

My friends that are preggers in LA doctors say no more than 25 and then if you at all overweight then no weight gain is allowed. The doctors have been really strict/somewhat mean with my friends who gained weight, and they started so tiny. My sister lives in Portland and she was a little overweight and they didn’t give her any grief about putting on 30 pounds. I wonder if doctors feel differently about this based on your geographic location? I don’t know, I could be totally making this up.

It sounds like you’re right on track (7-10lbs gained 1/3 of the way through your pregnancy) and handling it healthfully. I’ve had severe nausea (no vomiting), had a hard time eating, and gained only about 2 lbs at 10 weeks. It has concerned me, but I’ll just stick to my 1500-2000 cal/day, yoga, and should gain plenty in the next 30 weeks.

I read a study, though, that unhealthy weight gain of pregnant women has increased from 10% of women in US and Europe in 1970 to 36% of pregnant women in US and Europe in 2001. I personally think it’s due to all of the processed, convenient food that exists now which didn’t exist in the 70’s and portion sizes. I usually reach for the “easy” foods first and so I try to keep controlled portions of cut veggies, fruit, cooked turkey or chicken, string cheese, greek yogurt, bread, and granola ready and on hand.

You look great!

Oh, and kudos to you for the bare belly pictures — my husband takes them of me, but I refuse to put them up anywhere. He thinks the belly is sexy but I’m too shy.