At my wise old age of 30, I have learned that in life there are many different types of relationships. I am a wife, a sister, a daughter, and I’m working on becoming a mother. Each of these relationships is completely different, none necessarily more important than the other.
Recently I’ve realized that there is another relationship in my life that, until now, I haven’t consciously paid much attention to – my relationship with my body.
Every type of relationship functions on communication and conversation, and whether we realize it or not, this one is no different.
Over the last few years that I have been a runner, I have asked my body to do things that at one point I never thought it could do. I trained, I fueled, and I prepared. I asked it to allow me to run in extreme cold and in grueling summer heat. And it listened.
And on multiple occasions, I have asked it to carry me very long distances – sometimes 26.2 miles at a time – and each time, it has listened.
And just as any conversation should involve equal give and take, sometimes my body lets me know when it has had enough. And to return the favor of carrying me those long miles, I listen.
When running alone wasn’t enough anymore, and I decided to start incorporate heavy strength training, I asked my body to go further. I worked until my body shook, and I pushed myself to new limits. My body responded with muscles and tone that I had only ever seen on others, but never in my own mirror.
![IMG_1299_thumb[1]](http://www.dailygarnish.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/IMG_1299_thumb1_thumb.jpg)
A few years later, I told my body I was ready to have a baby. But all I heard was silence. Loud and deafening silence.
I was frustrated and confused. Everything I had asked to do before had been answered. I slowly and hesitantly let go of the urge to control, and decided to give my body the time it needed to learn how to deal with my latest request.
And then one day, when it was ready, it responded.
And overnight, the conversation shifted. For years I have worked and pushed myself to new limits – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have always been the one in charge.
But my body talks to me now. Take a nap. Take a break. Eat a snack.
I am tired, my back hurts, and I barely even recognize myself. But this is all just part of the conversation. It is my body’s way of talking to me and preparing me for something that once again, at one point I never thought I would be able to do.
It has been refreshing to take a step back and be the listener instead of the leader.
Many times before, I have worked hard to prepare myself for big events – races, marathons, and new personal records. This time my body is preparing me for the biggest event of all. And just as I have done before, I am training, fueling, and preparing.
But most importantly, I am listening.
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Great post Emily- running taught me to start listening to my body, but pregnancy has made it even more important (and, fortunately, easier!)
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Beautiful post. It’s amazing how being pregnant has given my body such a loud voice. I’ve never had more trust in my body- it’s amazing what it just knows how to do on it’s own. Pregnancy truly is a miracle. I think this will forever change how I view the mind/body connection.
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Beautifully written!! Almost poetic. I love the connections you made throughout the post. xo!
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What an awesome post! Thank you for sharing :) It’s been hard to ‘let go’ and just listen to what my body needs during this pregnancy. I remind myself though that you’re only pregnant with your first child once … enjoy every minute and listen up! :)
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beautifully written post. best of luck in the coming months.
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Lovely post, lovely message. You look beautiful!
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Great post, and I hope you truly feel that way! I think your body probably finds this tougher than any of the other things you’ve done to it. It’s great to let some of the control be out of your hands!
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Fabulous post and if there’s ever a time to listen to your body..it’s NOW
And to that mother’s intuition voice. LISTEN to it. If something ever doesnt feel right, good, or gives you any weird vibes, listen to that voice. It’s okay to let your mama tiger come out. It’s great, actually. Just my little .02 before the birth b/c everyone will be telling you things..just listen to your own voice and all will be well :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
I love the term mama tiger. :)
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Just beautiful!
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Emily, you have the most beautiful thoughtful posts! Absolutely my favourite! I am trying to get healthier now and I also need to listen to my body. It is screaming at me – get better, fuel me right, exercise, take care of yourself. I should listen. I am listening!
Thank you for the inspiration!
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I love this post!! You are GLOWING!!
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Such an awesome message. I love hearing how you’ve evolved over time and how much respect you have for your body. Gorgeous!
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That’s really nice. I’ve also learned it’s about listening and giving in. There’s a time to push it and a time to let it go.
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This was beautiful! Brought tears to my eyes.
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What a beautiful post, Emily. You write so well. Well done for listening!
Heidi xo
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Aww! Great post!*
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I love this!
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great post. and you look amazing!
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Beautiful words Emily!
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This is a beautiful post, and it reminds me to do some listening to my own body.
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I know just what you mean about listening to your body during pregnancy. For me it kept on going for the 18 months or so it took me for my body to get back to normal. I wanted so badly to get everything back to the way it was, but it wasn’t ready. Sure enough, once I gave it the time it needed everything was great.
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What a wondeful post! There really is something to be said for taking the time to listen to our bodies :)
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beautifully written
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Beautiful post!!
You are a wise woman … and you are going to be a great mother!
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I think this is great advice to heed all the time, not just during pregnancy. We spend so much time pushing through the pain or believing in ‘mind over matter’. Our bodies have very direct, succinct ways of telling us what they need and we should definitely listen more carefully, and more often.
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:-o so much baby! that is a BEAUTIFUL photo, as always, emily.
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Such a beautiful, well-written post. I love that you are so clearly able to articulate your emotions. It’s great that you take the time to sort through all of the things that you are feeling and find a way to share them with the world. Bravo.
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Love this post!
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You are gorgeous, inside and out!!!
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I loved this post! It was so beautifully written and heartfelt.
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Such a beautiful post.
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Beautiful.
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Absolutely beautiful post! Love it! You look amazing :)
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This was beautiful. Truly beautiful.
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Emily, this is beautiful. I loved reading it. You are such an inspiration to me – keep living beautifully.
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LOVE this. I just (like 5 minutes ago) wrote a post on my whole pregnancy journey and how it changed me and made me listen too. You are awesome. Wonderful post! I hope you’re sitting with your feet up right now with a delicious snack. :)
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Lexi Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Wow, STUFT Mama you are one HARDCORE Mama!!! I cannot believe you worked out up until the delivery of your twins. And that you ran a 15K at 8:10/mile while pushing your baby twins in a jogging stroller. What an inspiration you are to future moms everywhere!!!
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awww. this is a wonderful post. pregnancy is definitely different as there is another human being involved…so we are even more careful with out bodies. :)
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love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
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What a beautifully written, evocative and provacative post. Thanks for sharing this, it’s really making me reflect.
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Beautiful post! The body is so unbelievably amazing!
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April Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Beautiful post Emily, made me ‘teary eyed’.
Can i ask you Kaleigh how you pronounce your name? I am pregnant and have the name “Calleigh” picked out, to be pronounced “Callie”, but i love how you spell your name and wondered if it is “Kay-Lee” or “Cal-ie”. Thank you:)
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Kaleigh Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:17 am
Thank you. It is pronounced Kay-lee, although it gets mispronounced ALL the time!
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April Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:28 am
Thank you, it is so pretty i love it – may be my new little one’s name:)
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So sweet! I love this post. I commented a few posts ago that I recently discovered your blog and have been going through the archives (I’m sure I’m not the only one!). Because of that, I have fresh in my mind some posts you wrote in the past. One in particular comes to mind, from around April, when you are talking about preparing for your Seattle move. You said something about how you’ve struggled with anxiety and have a difficult time with change, but that you were learning to let go and enjoy the journey. Well, girl, from one control freak to another, it sounds like you’ve come a long way in letting go! :)
P.S. I promise I’m not a creeper. I just like reading archives like a book when I discover a new blog I like!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Yes, I love reading archives too. :) And I hope I’ve made some progress – I feel like I have! Time will tell, haha.
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I love this post. IT really highlights whats important and how to be healthy through every stage of life. Thanks!
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Amazingly eloquent and poignant post for anyone and everyone!! We can all relate in some way, pregnant or not!
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This is beautiful! <3
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What a great post, told with such respect for the amazing things a woman’s body can do. I hope keeping this philosophy in mind will help me continue to balance the demands I make on my body. Thanks for sharing!
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This is such a beautiful post! Thank you!
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I think this is one of my favorite posts that you’ve written.
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Jules Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
I agree!
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Beautiful!
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tears in my eyes. beautifully written. As someone who has also been a runner and athlete for a long time who has now been trying to get pregnant for over a year with no luck, I relate. I love your way of looking at this as a two-way relationship. It’s so true. I’m in awe of the courage you have to put your thoughts out there. You’ve definitely got me seeing things in a different way, and its helpful to read these words.
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At 27 weeks this gives me chills!!! Right on sister!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 1:02 pm
27 weeks!!! SO exciting!
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A lovely introspective post and snapshot of where you’ve been and how you got here.
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Beautiful post!
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Beautiful post!
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Lurve. <3
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Beautiful. Might have made me tear up a little…
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Beautiful post
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I am not pregnant, but was diagnosed with asthma about a year ago. I love this post and it is so timely for me after some set back with my asthma from not listening to my body. It is so important to listen to those cues. Thank you!
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Like!
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Great post, Emily. Really good thoughts and insight.
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What a very beautiful post.
Glad you are listening closely to your body (and maybe your baby too?) and giving it the attention it deserves.
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Wow love love this post. So beautiful and so wonderfully written…brought me to tears :)
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This is my favorite post of yours to date. Wise, wonderful and impeccably written.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Wow, thanks!
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What a beautiful post. Brought tears to my eyes also as I so hope some day to be able to experience the joys of being pregnant and of motherhood. Very excited for you. Again, such a great post.
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Just lovely. Your writing style is so good..as always.
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I love this post! Amazing.
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Love this! So very, very true!
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I love this post!
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What a beautifully written post!
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Beautiful! It definitely brought forth some emotions as we’ve been trying to get pregnant for almost a year and a half now. I’ve been doing my best to listen to my body but it’s frustrating.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 1:01 pm
That is so frustrating – I’ll keep you guys in my thoughts!
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Beautiful post! It is so true that sometimes we demand so much of our bodies. We need to listen when it asks of us, or it will start demanding too!
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Absolutely hold onto this thought when labor begins. Your body knows how to have a baby, your baby knows how to be born. There is no need to be afraid or feel doubt that you won’t be able to do it. You will. Our bodies are perfectly designed for this – all you have to do is listen.
Best of luck
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 1:01 pm
This is what I keep telling myself, so it’s nice to hear it from you. :) My body will know how to do this!!
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What a beautifully written and insightful post! You’re almost there!!!
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Great post! I hope you and the fam are doing well!
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Love this post. Pregnancy really is the best way to get in touch with your body. Breastfeeding, too, but in a different way – you really start to view your body as an amazing machine.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 1:00 pm
I’m so nervous about breastfeeding! Hope it works out. Going to give it my best – all I can really do!
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This is such a poignant, lovely post. I often struggle with listening to my body, while at the same time, pushing myself outside of my normal comfort zone. Sometimes I have to give up control and really listen to my body – sleep more, take an extra rest day, etc.
I can’t wait to read all the wonderful posts you will write once Baby C arrives!
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What a gorgeous post. Exquisite writing, and such a powerful message. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us – I, for one, love being (feeling) along for the ride and for the inspiration!
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This is definitely one of the best posts I’ve ever read on your wonderful blog! :) Running is teaching me day by day to listen to my body!
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Such a beautiful post, Emily! I teared up reading it because I felt how much emotion you poured into it. Soon enough, Baby C will arrive and he will be the most cared for baby boy with you as his mama.
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great post! I am totally with you on this. I have arrived at this exact same place, sometimes listening is tough, but when you do, you just feel better
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Beautiful post, Emily! You’re such a talented writer & express yourself so well – I hope someday you’ll find the time to write a book (of any kind!) :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Me too! :)
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Wow, you captured my heart with your words! I can see the process of life stages more holistically now. You are beautiful:)
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Amen sister. Nothing like child bearing to make a person humble themselves to listen. As difficult as my pregancy and recovery was, I would have to agree with you, I learned more about how to listen to my body and take care of it then ever before. Even though my body is forever changed (not a bad body but a different body) I value it so much more than I did before I had a child. I also try to take care of it better than I did pre-child. Great post. Best wishes bringing your bundle to the world. Childbearing/motherhood is the greatest sacrifice and teacher (and blessing!).
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Thank you so much for this, Emily. I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear this today <3
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LOVE.
and at 42 I entirely entirely agree.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Thank you! :)
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So nicely put and so true! I am so excited for you guys! Babies just change every way you see and experience the world!
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beautiful post, beautiful writer :) !!
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Such a moving post. Still looking beautiful as ever. I love hearing about your journey even though I am far from wanting to experience it myself. Best wishes.
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What an absolutely beautiful post. I love it.
When I found out I was pregnant I feel like I fought the challenges that pregnancy was bringing into my life. I became so aggravated that I couldn’t eat the way I use to, train the way I use to, and push my body the way I craved. Eventually I stepped back and realized that I needed to treat my body better and to let the needs come from within. I quieted my mind and stopped fighting. Embracing the needs of my growing baby allowed me to repair some habits that I had developed, and it has benefited me greatly to learn how to care for me on a much deeper level.
I hope I never forget these lessons learned and am eager to push forward in this new direction even after my baby is born.
Thanks again for such a great a post!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I don’t forget these lessons either!
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What a beautiful post, Emily.
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Best post yet. Love it.
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Emily this was such a great post!
I hope one day to be able to write a post with a similar ending to yours :)
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Beautiful post. It has taken me all of my 33 years to understand what you so eloquently said in one post.
Thank you.
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Absolutely beautiful post Emily!
This post is something I plan to keep in mind all the time. I am not pregnant and I never have been, but I think the things you say in this post can resonate with everyone.
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This is such a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing it :)
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I love this post so much, and I don’t know why, but I find myself tearing up over it!
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Wow what a genuine post – one I’ll remember for a while. Great job!
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This post is so beautiful, it almost makes me want to cry a little. Thank you for sharing.
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Beautiful Post! I’m so glad I popped over to your site and read this. :)
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What a beautiful post :) Such an important message to listen to your body.
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This is an absolutely amazing post. Our bodies are amazing and the relationship that we have between our body and soul is definitly a two way street.
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Love it! I am trying to listen to my body and be patient right now well as I wait for it to give me the gift of a baby.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Crossing my fingers for you!
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Listening to your body is not always easy as you know. Sometimes we fight what it is telling us. I think it is wonderful when we begin to see the beauty in the conversation that you described between you and your body.
Your body is going to do things that are going to amaze you not only in the next few months but in the next year. I know I have been amazed at what my body has accomplished and what we have done for each other since last October when my son was born.
Keep listening to it!!
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Simply Beautiful Emily!
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Fantastic post and so beautifully written. It is so exciting to watch as you head down the home stretch.
Your listening skills will be put to the test for the next 18 years or so :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Haha so true!
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This is such a beautiful poast, Emily! I really enjoyed reading it. Such good advice and insight too. Something I never really thought about before. Thank you for starting off my day on this note!
PS I just read your “getting pregnant” story and it really is an interesting one! I’ve always been embarrassed of “female” things too and I think its so great that your mom sent you tampons when you were in college. Moms are the best! Mine’s birthday was yesterday and I appreciate her more every day. I know your baby is going to appreciate you so much too! He is lucky to have you for a Mommy!
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post** haha not poast, whatever that is! :]
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Amen! Love, love, love this :)
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Emily! Such an awesome post! I loved it :)
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This post reminds me a lot of Geneen’s point of view in regards to our bodies in her book Women Food and God. We spend so long trying to force our bodies to become what we envision (or have been told) them to look like and function like, but the truth is they aren’t meant to be what someone else’s body is or does, they are meant to be what they are. I love the idea of listening to your body and letting it be what it is. Beautiful post!
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I don’t comment much, but this was a beautiful post & I could not…not comment. Very nicely done!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Thanks Cat! :)
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Wonderful post! Love it!
And you just look so amazing- pregnancy definately suits you!
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LOVE this post! Listening to my body is something I definitely don’t do enough of. I often yearn for a better relationship with my body (as weird as that sounds). When I ran my first half marathon, I could feel my body talking to me and I’m so ready to get back to that place. Thanks for such a beautiful and inspiring post.
Ps- you are an adorable pregnant lady!
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Great Post! Good luck with all of the good things the future holds for you :)
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This is a beautiful post! It’s so important to listen to your body.
On the weekends when I want to stay up later to watch tv or something… if I start yawning or nodding off, instead of pushing through and staying up.. I now make sure I get my butt to bed. It’s so simple, but important to listen to what your body is trying to tell you.
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Amazing post! I have been trying to get pregnant for 10 months now. I never thought it would end up like this. Like you I asked my body to do amazing things for years and always got what I asked for. Now as I’m asking it for one the most natural things of all it seems to be telling me no. I know time will tell and so will my body but it has been such an inspiration and guiding light reading your blog and I just would like to say thank you. Best of luck and God bless.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Thanks Julie! Crossing my fingers for you!
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This was a touching post – thank you for sharing.
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Beautiful and encouraging post for those dealing with pregnancy body changes. As a fitness instructor, I went through major struggles with my body changes during pregnancy, but in the end when I got to hold my little girl, I felt like a champion.
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I love this. I often find myself frustrated that I can no longer live at the pace I am used to. This is such a good reminder to embrace the changes and be in awe of our pregnant bodies for this season.
Thank you for being so honest and encouraging throughout your pregnancy journey!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Thanks Kelsey. :)
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These are my favorite type of posts that you write. Beautiful Emily, just beautiful!
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Amazing. Beautiful. Inspiring. <3 xyx
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Absolutely love this post Emily! :)
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I want to echo all the comments here! What a great post and an even greater reminder to stop and listen to what your body is saying. Mine is saying it’s time for green tea and I’m listening.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Yum!!
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I can totally relate to this post! Since becoming pregnant I’ve def. stopped telling my body what to do and I know just listen and do whatever it is my body wants from me!
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This is one of my favorite posts ever. We all need to continue to get better about the relationships with our bodies.
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B -E -A – utiful!!!
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beautifully written.
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Awesome post! I love it :) You are such an amazing woman and you are going to be an amazing Mommy too!! XOXO
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thanks for this post, i’ve been struggling with the weight gain aspect of pregnancy a lot lately. i know it needs to happen and means the baby is growing, but it’s a tough thing to deal with when you’ve had body images issue in your past.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
I know how you feel. I promise it gets better toward the end when you realize that your body is doing something totally AWESOME!
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Jesse Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
YES! we have our anatomy scan ultrasound on friday and i can’t wait:)
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What an absolutely beautiful post. I know I’m echoing most comments when I say that, but it’s all I could think while reading it.
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That was awesome. You are such an inspiration :)
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Of all the blog posts you have made, and yes, shared your wisdom and heartfelt feelings this is the one that made me cry. It is wise of you to listen to your body and realize that we do/should have a give and take relationship with our bodies. So many of us have a hard time understanding that. You are an inspiration and for that reason I feel that even though I don’t actually know you, you will be an excellent mother.
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Thank you so much, Jane!
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This post made me tear up.
What beautiful words at such a special time. Thank you.
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LOL, love Casey’s comment on Baby C’s size. It is truly amazing what can fit in there. Huey and Indy can definitely sense something is going on with you and can probably sense the baby. Nothing wrong with delivering 1.5 weeks early – my two boys were 14 and 11 days early and given their size, 8lbs 9 ozs and 9lbs and 3 ozs, I didn’t complain. My lab was so aware during my first and second pregnancies (she past away before the third). She was so eager to see the babies when they came home and she wouldn’t leave their sides. I have the best photo of her laying her head on my lap while I was breastfeeding my oldest son. I tear up just thinking about it.
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ColleenS Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 2:12 pm
sorry – this was suppose to go under your Week 33 post….been a long day.
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Hello! I’m usually not a commenter but I just had to tell you that I loved this post, namely because I related so much to how you are feeling. I’ve put my body through alot of bad and good and it was a wonderful experience finally listening to my body instead of asking it to do things.
Enjoy your last stretch of pregnancy, before you know it your little one will be here. It is such an amazing journey!
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Emily-
This is my favorite post you’ve ever written!
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I have been a reader of yours for a while but this is my first comment because reading this is truely very inspiring and it literally brought a tear to my eye. I wish your Husband, you and Baby C the best of luck in everything your lives bring you all.
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Lovely post. You have a way of writing with so much emotion and have a gift of being able to articulate it.
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Emily Malone Reply:
September 5th, 2011 at 10:06 am
Thanks Renee!
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[...] Daily Garnish recently published a beautiful post I really recommend you read. [...]
I love this post! Kudos! Good Luck on the baby..it sounds like you are ready!
xoxo from Trinidad
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What an Amazing post!!!! WOW!
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This was a great post – so happy to come across it today
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