Stretch Marks

I have gotten horrible stretch marks on my belly over the last month or two.  Everyday I get up and stare at them. I have lathered myself with every kind of stretch mark cream and cocoa butter known to man since the day I found out that I was pregnant, and still they came. I cautioned every pregnant friend to do the same. They are ugly and make me feel not pretty at all. Our friend, Mrs. Kaminski, called them Mommy Badges.  I guess I should feel good about that...but they are just so awful. Ugh....I am ungrateful, aren't I? I don't mean to be. I am so very grateful for this little one, just not these stretch marks. I feel like I want to hide myself away for the next 8 weeks, so nobody has to look at me, especially me having to look at me. :)