| Nine months of pregnancy seems an eternity when | | | | white robe, or guaze - with a dark background, this is |
| you get that little pink positive on the test stick. In | | | | beautiful. Siblings touching or kissing baby belly makes |
| this day and age, we no longer have to wait until we | | | | for a touching moment. And your partners hands on |
| start having symptoms of pregnancy, which can start | | | | your belly, speak love. Of course, studio pictures are |
| as late as 8 or 10 weeks for some. Instead, we have | | | | best towards the end of pregnancy, but don't wait |
| pregnancy tests that will determine a positive just | | | | too long either! |
| days after conception. This can make the pregnancy | | | | Some studios specialize in pregnancy and newborn |
| journey seem even longer! | | | | pictures - check your phone book or ask around. |
| While you are growing, suffering morning sickness | | | | Belly Cast It |
| and anxiously awaiting the new addition to the family, | | | | Belly Cast, or Belly Mask, has become a popular |
| here are a few ways to memorialize your pregnancy; | | | | method of preserving pregnant bellies. Belly Cast kits |
| both for yourself and to pass along to the child in the | | | | are inexpensive and easy to find, particularly online. |
| future. | | | | They are easy to do, but don't try to do a belly cast |
| Write It | | | | yourself! You will definitely need another set of hand |
| If you don't already, now is a great time to take up | | | | and sometimes an extra set is helpful. No baby belly |
| journaling. A hardback journal to write would give you | | | | inhibitions? Make a party of it! Invite your girlfriends |
| the option of writing any time, while eating breakfast, | | | | over for some messy fun. In the end, you have a |
| in bed, or in a waiting room. Picking out the book | | | | plaster cast of your belly to decorate, hang on the |
| could be a special in itself, as you will be picking | | | | wall or sit on a shelf. |
| something that touches you. If your penmenship is | | | | Decorated Belly |
| not something you particularly want to share, | | | | Women are becoming more willing to bare their |
| journaling online offers a wide variety of options. | | | | pregnant bellies. Decorating your baby belly is a fun |
| Generally called "blogging", a web log has been a | | | | way to show it off. Wear it around the house, or out |
| popular method of writing thoughts, opinions and | | | | in public. Make a party of it, or do it yourself. But |
| sharing knowledge with others. There are many blog | | | | don't forget to take pictures! |
| communities, each offering different perks. Some | | | | Semi-permanant belly decoration - Henna is a type of |
| provide private post options, so your posts are | | | | skin dye that will essentially "stain" the skin, |
| viewable to the general public, only to those you | | | | essentially, a non-permanant tattoo. Women have |
| allow. Some allow categories, giving you the option of | | | | been using henna for years and years. Henna kits are |
| writing about things other than just your pregnancy. | | | | widely available. A simple design or something |
| Others still, are aimed just at moms or pregnant | | | | elaborate - it's all up to you! Do be careful in the sun |
| moms. Take a look around and find one that has a | | | | with a henna'd baby belly. Your skin may tan and |
| good feel for you. | | | | when the henna wears off in a week or more, you |
| Pregnant Belly, Say Cheese | | | | may end up with a reversed belly tattoo. |
| Take monthy pregnant belly pictures. Start at the | | | | Paint it and wash it - Skin safe paints are a great just |
| beginning, or as soon as you are able. There may not | | | | for fun project to do with siblings. Get into some |
| be much of a baby belly at 8 weeks along, but when | | | | comfy clothes, get a glass of water, juice or your |
| you have a whole pregnancy worth of belly shots, | | | | pregnancy tea and sit back. Let the kids paint. Don't |
| you'll have fun looking at where you started and | | | | forget to Take Pictures! |
| where you ended! | | | | Belly Pillow |
| Some tips for taking monthy belly pictures: Be | | | | Whew! The pregnancy is over, or close to it. Grab |
| consistent. Stand the same way, by the same wall or | | | | your favorite maternity top, your sewing machine |
| door (or similar). Wear similar clothing (like a pair of | | | | and some good stuffing. Sew that shirt into a pillow; |
| sweatpants that you can wear almost throughout). | | | | square, round, or just sew up all the openings and |
| Show bare belly, or wear a shirt - or do one of each | | | | leave it full size! This is a great momento to pass |
| every time. The more consistent you are, the more | | | | along to the baby. Do it for each pregnancy and each |
| obvious the pregnancy changes when looking back. | | | | child will have their very own "moms favorite |
| Studio Pictures | | | | maternity shirt pillow". |
| You've got the digital camera taking your own | | | | Regardless of how much you do to memorialize your |
| pregnant belly pictures, but a professional | | | | pregnancy, enjoy as much of it as you are able to. |
| photogragher will make some beautiful pictures for | | | | Those nine months, though they seem long while you |
| your baby belly book. Consider including siblings, if | | | | are counting the days, when looking back, it's just a |
| any, your partner, and take pregnancy pictures that | | | | snippet in time. |
| aren't so "traditional". Strip down and wrap up in | | | | |