Dear femmes & flowers: I bought my first pair of maternity pants today, the kind with the wide, s-t-r-e-t-c-h-y waist band. I've been very eager to buy these. Today's fashion tops with the empire waists & rouching translate very easily to maternity wear; although, the pants don't convert quite as well to a growing belly without the help of rubber bands wrapped & threaded around the button. For me, the pants make the pregnancy official!

I've been very health conscious during this pregnancy & feel confident my decisions & sacrifices will positively affect my baby; although, occasionally I feel as though I'm being judged, measured against an orange when I'm clearly an apple. And the apple is a good analogy for my lifestyle --- pomaceous, broad, pure, raw, consistent, effortless, physical & real. More so than ever I'm trying to live organically so that this life inside me can flourish. My now sparse make-up routine includes organic products; I use Burt's Bees soaps & shampoo; I gave up diet Coke & nailpolish; I walk two to three times a day; & my meals include ample portions & well rounded selections. I am making daily changes & changing daily.

Just recently I came across the program for Eve Ensler's, The Good Body tucked away in a drawer (my mom & I saw her perform in 2006!) & I happily remembered two characters from that performance. One was an elderly African Masai woman who saw the body as perfect, because we are made in the image of God. And the other was an Indian woman who was proud of her curves & fat belly, because it held up her sari. Both were happy & full women, despite wrinkles, stretch marks & other blemishes. During this remarkable time of my life, I want to be happy & full too. Full enough to hold up my maternity pants!

Take some time today to appreciate your Good Body! ~tracy

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Tracy Gatten is an artist, a writer, an interior designer, a philosopher & a traveler. She pays the bills with her work as an admin. asst. She lives & works in a small river town in southern Minnesota & is married to her best friend. She is expecting their first child, due January 2009. Feel free to contact her via email, t.m.gatten@gmail.com.