Pregnant and Beautiful

#1 The Glow. Enough Said.

No matter who is pregnant, every pregnant woman has one thing in common: her glow could put all of the lights in New York City (at night) to shame. It is a kind of glow that could only come from knowing you're that much closer to meeting someone you have wanted to meet your entire life. If any one of the major cosmetics companies (Maybelline, L'Oreal, Covergirl) could bottle that glow and sell it, the profits would be somewhere in the billions. I wish I could get the IPO on that gravy train, as I would never have to work ever again. 

I can only dream, right? Until then, the pregnant woman holds the sole rights to "the glow."

#2 Pregnant Women Are Cool

When I saw this picture, I thought that this is one of the coolest things that I have ever seen. She is very unique, very confident in her punk style and pregnancy curves. When she looks into the camera, you can see her doe-like eyes looking straight at you and right through you. It's a picture of a woman that will obviously leave an impression, even if you never meet her.

#3 What Is Pregnancy Anyway

If you ask anyone what being pregnant means, they will all give you the same short answer: when a woman is going to have a baby. If you ask them what it means other than that, they would most likely scratch their heads and look at you in a strange manner. 

There is more to pregnancy than just having a baby - it's life finding its way through the chaos in the world. It's about passing down the shape of your eyes, a love of spicy food and, yes, an incredibly inappropriate sense of humor. 

From what I understand, you can read all of the books and get all of the right stuff, but it's still a giant plunge into the deep end of the pool. Basically, you don't know until you are there. It's about ignoring those clueless oafs who tell you their labor horror stories and saying "everything will be OK." 

While I have never witnessed a birth in person, I have done the visit afterward, and seeing the new-mom-glow makes me think, "You know what? This pregnancy-childbirth-having-kids-thing isn't as scary as I have made it out to be..." 

At least that's what pregnancy means to me.

#4 All Pregnant Women Are Celebrities

Personally, I think all pregnant women deserve to be on the cover of a magazine, to go on talk shows and so on. I challenge you to name one pregnant woman that doesn't radiate life or strut a little when she walks. 

Celebrities and non-celebrities may not have much in common, but when they both get pregnant, they are equally beautiful.

#5 Pregnancy And Exercise

When I saw this picture, I knew that it was what I had to aspire to, pregnant or not. Her name is Lea-Ann Ellison, a 35-year-old mother of now-three children and she's in better shape than most 18-year olds today. 

This picture reminded me of recent research into mothers who exercise while pregnant; according to an article posted on the New Scientist website on November 14th, pregnant women who engaged in regular physical activity had babies with better cognitive function. 

So, unless you have serious pregnancy complications, it might be a good idea to put down the remote control and pick up some free weights. A little something for us all to digest, don't you think?

#6 Pregnant Women In White

This picture reminds me of an angel or Greek goddess, something not of this world. All women, no matter what shape or color, can rock a white gown, and that doesn't stop when a woman is pregnant. 

Combine the pregnancy glow, the universally flattering white gown and nonstop curves, and you have a stunning vision. This glow-on-glow lights up a room. This is not just a good picture - it's a picture stating fact.

#7 Pregnancy Takes The Runway

There are so many things that make this picture amazing, so many things that would make someone drop whatever is in their hand and just stare in wonder. 

There is something real and tangible about her - she's not an average supermodel. You can tell she is on cloud nine with knowing she is going to become a mother. She looks healthy, happy and confident, like she can conquer the world.

#8 Beautiful in Blue - And Every Color Of The Rainbow

The pregnant woman adds more than just her baby bump to a picture or film - she adds pieces of herself as well. When she strikes a pose, it just becomes that much more assertive and arresting. Even if she's just sitting down and folding the laundry as usual, you see her differently than a normal woman you see everyday. 

Instead, you see her and you are rendered speechless. Such is the power of the bump.

#9 A Classic Photograph Of Pregnancy

Women take on a lot when they become pregnant, and they deserve to be recognized for bringing us into the world. I picked this picture because it was simply a beautiful picture. I have always loved the classic simplicity of black-and-white photography, and this photographer nailed it.

#10 The Beautiful Baby Bump

Like the coming of spring, few things are more anticipated than the birth of a baby. There is true beauty in a baby bump; after all, what is more attractive than new life? Isn't that the whole point of sex in the first place?