Baby Bumps and Feeling Fat

So, in the past few weeks, I've started getting the beginnings of a baby bump.  I'm still in that lovely stage where no one but me can tell, though.  Most of this is caused by the fact that my stomach wasn't flat before I was pregnant, so the changes are less noticeable, and it's early.  I've been taking pictures weekly to track my progress, and in the pictures, I can tell a difference in my size, but I still feel like it just looks like a beer belly, not a baby belly.  I'm still not sure if the difference is all in my head, or what. I'm trying not to be insecure about my belly, but some days are better than others.

As I've been trying to share my experience with friends and family who are far away, I've debated if I needed or wanted to share these pictures.  On one hand, that's what they're for.  On the other, I feel silly for sharing pictures when it may not be a "real" baby bump.  I also wouldn't call these pictures flattering in most senses of the word.  I mean, I'm specifically taking these to clearly show my belly in all it's curved-ness.  Typically one attempts to cover such traits.

I'm mostly at peace with my current diet and appearance.  I'm happy to increase my calorie intake by the recommended amount, and to make active healthy choices (more than normal), because it's worth it.  Now more than ever.  Occasionally, though, I start considering the (false, imagined) opinion of others around me.  This is when things get rough.

Nonetheless, I share with you the first few weeks of pictures.

12 weeks

13 weeks

14 weeks

15 weeks

16 weeks