My baby took my pretty
I’ve been struggling a bit lately with self-image. I can’t recall the last time I felt really pretty and I rarely get to a point where I look decent, presentable even.
Wah-wah-wah, you’re thinking. I know.
I feel like a total mom – a title I am incredibly proud of in all aspects except for one. I look like a new mom often does: tired, warn-down, un-bathed, stressed. I gained 40 pounds while I was pregnant and although I often felt gigantic, I also thought I looked pretty cute. Pregnant bellies are just adorable!
Luckily, between breastfeeding and being so busy I forgot to eat, I lost the bulk of the baby weight quickly. I also was crazy lucky in the stretch mark department in that I didn’t get any. But (there’s always a but isn’t there?) my teeth began quickly shifting back to their pre-braces placement. My straight smile is gone. And now? I am so embarrassed. Give me stretch marks I can cover up any day.
Beyond that there’s the saggy skin around my stomach and my boobs which I compare to helium-balloons three or four days after the party is over and they’re shriveled up on the floor.
The thing is – that second to the teeth, my biggest problem is one that I may be easily corrected with a bit of effort )and maybe a Red Bull). I would probably feel better if I forced myself to find some time to paint my nails, fix my hair and makeup daily, and put on something other than sweats and a tshirt.
I do find that the days that I spend more time on my appearance I feel better and get more done. I just don’t always have the time or the energy. Plus there is always something more important – paint my nails or sweep the floor?
Of course the baby is worth it – so worth it. But how do you deal with a brand new body and identity after having a child? How do the rest of you new mama’s feel?
