-1) Splendid Malibu Stripe One Piece: Swim Spot / 2) Rocksanda Ilincic Talgo Color Block Swimsuit: Matches Fashion / 3) Adreana Degreas Striped High Waisted Bikini: Moda Operandi / 4) Red Polka Dot Swimsuit: ModCloth / 5) Island One Piece: ModCloth / 6) White & Black Polka Dot One Piece: ModCloth / 7) Black High Waisted Bottoms: Mini Hammer via Etsy / 8) Floral Two Piece: ModCloth / 9) Zimmerman Verano Floral One Piece: Madewell / 10) Betsey Johnson Floating on Petals Two Piece: ModCloth / 11) Cherry Two Piece: ModCloth / 12) America Stars and Stripes Fringe Tankini (this is kids and obviously too small for me, but it was too adorable not to share): Shop Justice -Also a fan of these suits from gray dog (not pictured).--Memorial Day Weekend has passed which means it’s officially summer in my eyes! We went north to New Hampshire over the weekend, and lucky for me, I didn’t have to put on a bathing suit. I know lots of women tend to be self conscious at the beginning of summer. Leftover weight from the holidays that hasn’t come off…pasty pale skin that hasn’t gotten tan yet. You know the drill. It’s normal. Only this summer, I’m feeling a bit more self conscious than usual. I mean, last year I was pregnant in a bathing suit, so as uncomfortable as that might be, at least I felt that I could own my body and be proud that I was carrying a little guy in there. Now, 9 months post birth, I am feeling great, and I have shrank back to my pre-pregnancy weight…and even back almost to my wedding weight! I should be screaming and jumping for joy at my accomplishment! However, it’s been said time and time again not to look at the scale. The scale does not measure how you look and feel. My body has been through a year, oh it has. I’ve been stretched out and starved for time and I’m completely out of shape. Breastfeeding and walking have gotten the weight off, but my body looks completely different than I am used to. My belly is much squishier, and that jiggle jiggle is anything but attractive. I have been patient with getting back to my normal self. No crazy diets or workouts here. Just steady walking, breastfeeding, and trying to eat healthy when I can. What I really need is time to tone. Or maybe I just need to make it a priority. It’s tough, this mom thing. By the time I get home from work, it’s time for Nico’s bath and bedtime routine. After that, it’s cooking, dinner, clean-up, and I maaaaybe have an hour or so to get anything done, yet I am exhausted. The last thing I want to do is a work out at 10pm that would keep me up even later with all the adrenaline. I do hope and plan to get back on some kind of fitness routine in the near future, but in the meantime…it’s bathing suit season people, and what is a beach-loving mommy to do?-Well…I have decided to embrace and love the body I currently have and find a suit that flatters it as much as I can. Work with what ya got, right? Besides, my body got this way because of the incredible tiny human who now fills my life with so much joy. There is something to be said for that. We moms make sacrifices for our children every day, and if a little extra belly fat is what it takes to be blessed with such an amazing little boy, then so be it. Luckily, vintage/mod/retro style suits are all the rage right now, and I am planning on rocking an adorable high waisted swimsuit or one-piece this summer. Who says you can’t look hot in a onesie!? The most important thing is that I am comfortable, so I am going to go with what works for me right now.-Would love to hear from any new mamas on what you plan on donning to the beach this summer? OR if you have any great fitness routines that you swear by, I would love to hear from you as well!-Hope you have a happy one!-XO,-Gina