Bachelor Nation's Carly Waddell Celebrates Postpartum Body 3 Weeks After Son's Birth
Click here to read the full article.
If you’re a Bachelor fan, you know that the quirky pairing of cruise ship singer Carly Waddell and erectile dysfunction specialist Evan Bass found love on the ABC franchise’s steamy Bachelor in Paradise spinoff. They’ve since married and had two children: Isabella Evelyn (Bella), almost 2, and Charles Wolfe (Charlie), 3 weeks. They also share Bass’s three sons from a former marriage.
Waddell took to Instagram yesterday and then today to share — and celebrate — images of her postpartum body, and we are seriously here for it.
More from SheKnows
What's Up With Hannah Brown Appearing on Peter Weber's Season of The Bachelor? Here's a Hint
Celebrities Keep Naming Their Kids 'Charlie Wolf' -- & It's Getting Weird
Waddell first posted a shot of herself standing in her underwear, cradling her newborn son. She wrote, “It’s amazing how your heart can just expand. I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to love Charlie in the way I needed and wanted to because of how much I loved Bella. How could I possibly love someone else as much? Did I even have that capability? But what a wonder the heart is…it just opens up and fills with more love than anyone could ever begin to understand. It’s magic. 3 weeks have gone by and I love this little boy more and more everyday. What a beautiful blessing.”
A post shared by Carly Waddell (@carlywad) on Dec 3, 2019 at 12:31pm PST
Today Waddell revealed more to fans and followers about her evolving relationship with her body image, with a new post: a picture of Charlie nestled against his mama’s soft belly, and family dog in the background.
She captioned the post, “I used to be soooooo worried about what my body looked like…I remember the first season I went on Bachelor in Paradise I wore cover ups the whole time because I was soooo insecure about my curves and my cellulite and my boobs not being as perky as the other women. Now I look at my body with so much love and appreciation. It created this little life.”
Waddell continued, “It is bigger in so many ways and healing in so many ways. It will change again, get smaller and bigger and go through other stages of life, but I’m so greatful for the rolls on this stomach right now and the stretch marks on my boobs. They prove I have been living that great mom life! For any of you ladies looking in the mirror at your bodies right now, high-five that mirror! You’re doing great! You’re beautiful! And you are a bad a** woman!”
A post shared by Carly Waddell (@carlywad) on Dec 4, 2019 at 7:06am PST
Commenters responded warmly to Waddell’s post.
One wrote, “Thanks for sharing this!! I had my son Rowan 15months ago and I still get down on myself.”
Another said, “You’re beautiful! I needed to hear this today! It’s a good reminder as I look at my body, getting ready to go on a family vacation and it’s not what I’m used to. But this beautiful body gave me a handsome son eight months ago and I’m grateful for it. He is the world! Thanks for the inspiration… Women are amazing!”
Waddell was also candid about her struggle to breastfeed — and her choice to feed with formula.
A post shared by Carly Waddell (@carlywad) on Nov 20, 2019 at 10:14am PST
Not every mama would post a half-naked cabbage leaf pic, normalizing nursing struggles. We continue to stan Waddell for her realness and warmth — and we wish the growing family much happiness.
Best of SheKnows
Bye, 'Gran' — These Grandparent Nicknames Are Anything But Boring
The Easiest Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe Online — & Put Your Panicked Mind at Ease
Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.