Before I was a mom there were a lot of things I enjoyed. For example, trendy clothes that can only be hand washed, frilly lingerie, running into people I know grocery shopping, and drinking wine with friends. Since I had my daughter almost a year ago, a lot of these things change. It’s amazing how once you have a baby, you do all of those things you said you would never do.
I always said I would never be that woman in the grocery store. You know, the one that looks just beat. Believe me, I have been her. I was wearing dirty sweatpants, I had baby puke on my shirt, I hadn’t showered in a few days….or a week, and I was a walking zombie. So yeah.
There are a lot of things I didn’t appreciate before I had Calli. I want to share those things in hopes it won’t take you as long as to get on the train.
A good bra. Not a frilly lacy one. One that holds the girls where they’re supposed to be and is comfortable. Let’s be honest, after you have kids it’s all about comfort. I nursed Calli for the first 6 months and let me tell you, nursing bras are not attractive. I have yet to find a nursing bra that didn’t make my boobs look saggy. Nursing bras are comfortable though. Every mom wants a bra that is like clouds to wear but makes sure you don’t look like a mom with saggy boobs. If said bra happens to have lace, fine. But we don’t really care.
I like mom stores, like Soma and Dressbarn. I have lots of friends that shop at Dressbarn and no, I do not think they dress old. I basically just bucked it because I thought it was a mom store. The clothes are attractive, they cover my rear and most importantly, they are not hand wash. Ain’t nobody got time for hand wash clothes, especially when you have kids. So yes, I like Dressbarn. A lot. Don’t judge me. Forget Victoria’s Secret underwear. I have junk in the trunk. When I wore VS undies, no matter the kind, I always had a wedgie. I started wearing Soma’s Vanishing Line panties and I have no wedgies. Ever. They are comfortable and they are actually cute.
Wandering around the isles of Target, alone and without a time limit. If we’re getting really crazy, you can add a never empty glass of wine. Do I really need to explain this at all? Normally grocery shopping with a child/children is running in and shopping as fast as you can. Forgetting what isn’t necessary once the kids start to get fussy. Don’t forget, you still have to check out so you can’t push it too much. Normally Calli is great in stores but if I can avoid taking her in I will.
Getting a pedicure. I really loved pedicures before I had Calli. There is nothing like sitting in a massage chair and having someone rub your feet and paint them. I never imagined I could appreciate that more than I did. Then I had a baby and managing to do anything with my nails is almost impossible. Let’s be honest, most things get harder. It is just the nature of the beast.
Not wearing makeup in public. Obviously time is much tightener than it was. On top of this, I just care less. Before I had Calli, I rarely could imagine going out in public without makeup on and my hair somewhat done. Now, it doesn’t bother me. I have realized there are so many more amazing parts of life to be more concerned with than looking perfect all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I still love getting dolled up and going out. I just done feel like spending oodles of time worrying about looking perfect all the time.
What is something that you didn’t fully appreciate until after you had kids?
I just had to invest in some new bras now that my girls are getting bigger. I went to the Motherhood store and found Jessica Simpson’s nursing bras and they are amazingly comfortable and cute. They don’t give the cleavage like my pre maternity bras but they keep the girls from having the “mom sag” like some other nursing bras I’ve purchased.
I will definitely have to look at those! I used Bravo when I was pregnant and nursing but they weren’t exactly attractive. They were definitely comfy and easy to use.