During my mission, I gained a substantial amount of weight. The funny thing was that I didn’t even notice it. Upon returning, I tried on my old clothes…not a chance! So, I made it a goal to get myself into shape. I was so excited when I got married because I got the dress of my dreams (huge story behind the dress, remind me to tell you.)
Since that time, I have had three kiddos and been up and down on the weight charts again. I was so excited this past week when I finally made it back down to 3 pounds above my “bridal weight.” While cleaning out my closet with my daughter, I decided to try on my wedding dress and show her what it looked like. I was confident that I would look stunning since I was so close to the same weight. WHATEVER!!!!
I couldn’t even zip it up. I had to have my six year old help me and even she was coaching me “Mommy, suck in a bit harder.” Harvey wasn’t home but I was bound and determined to get that dress on. I finally did, and I literally couldn’t breathe. What! How could that be? My rib cage has expanded tremendously. The dress was actually really comfortable when I wore it back in the day. And then, the hard cold sting of reality hit me. I am a mom and I have a mom’s body.
What a curve life throws at you. Bringing these little children into this world and it is a truly wonderful and miraculous event. Having said that. I have some gripes. I need to complain at some board meeting somewhere and have this process changed. Who wants to sign my petition to have a few mom itenms altered?
1. After having a baby, our hips should go back to their original position. We have a great hormone to help them expand to give birth. Where is the miraculous hormone to put us back??? Instead we pour ourselves into jeans that cut off our circulation for two months trying to trick our minds into thinking that our hips are shrinking back.
2. We have an amazing ability to have our skin stretch to accomodate a growing baby. Why can it not be like a rubber band and snap back. Instead, we get the deflated balloon syndrome.
3. This is not everyone’s problem but I must do a shout out to the boobies! Where did mine go??? I used to have them. Nursing three babies snatched them away. I went into Victoria’s Secret to get fitted for a new bra and was told that I would have to SPECIAL ORDER my tiny size off the internet. They don’t even carry the teenie bopper size. I guess I need to go back to shopping for another training bra. It bugs me, I thought that I already had mine trained. Try finding something sexy in the girls department.
4. Does anyone else have this problem? My hair all falls out after having a baby. Mine is just starting to grow back. In the morning I look like I have a small lions mane srouting from my skull. I have wierd little patches shooting out all over my head.
5. Sprinkling while you sprint. After trying to run a race with some friends, I realized (too late I must add) that I couldn’t make a dash without leaving a trail. And not a dainty trail to boot. As a joke, a package of depends was left on my doorstep after the race. Haha funny…not.
6. Do my eyes make me look old? I don’t know if it the lack of sleep or the increased parental stress that has taken a toll on my once kinda cute face. The crows have found their resting place and it is around my eyes. Don’t look too closely at any of my close ups.
Having venting a bit into the void of space and to all of my great friends who read this. I will say that I am eternally grateful for the fact that I do have three beautiful children. They are the loves of my life and I would do it all again in a heartbeat for them. I am so in love with being a mom and humbled that I was able to have children. It is the sacrifices that we make for them that helps us realize their worth.
6 Comments
I must comment! I so understand! Except, I’ve never lost the weight. I’ve been asked “How old is your baby?” When I tell them 15, they just stare at me! Oh well. I tell Kamille that I didn’t get fat for nothing! I did it for her! LOL
Oh my goodness you made my morning!
Granted, I don’t have any babies myself but let me tell you, gaining and losing weight just because life does that seems to have many of the same effects. I have the deflated balloon syndrome on my stomach (when I get back 30 pounds less than what I am now.) I have the ribs that will never return to a smaller size and boobs, well if you can find a doctor who will take out what I have and give it to you, please let me know. I will be there waiting with bells on!!!
Thank you for the joy you bring to my life and your honesty! I love you for it.
To quote another friend’s blog, “Oh can’t you see what love has done?!”
Love is what gave you the body you have after children. Wrinkles and stretchmarks are a sign of a life well-lived.
I wish you many laugh lines in your future!
I am loving this post. I looked at a picture of me from Moab and man… wrinkles! Oh well. I pulled a mean trick on the last baby and didn’t breastfeed to keep on some weight in a needed area. Not the only reason but an extra bonus. Padded all the way…
Darci you are too cute. I doubt I could have ever been that brave. THats so cool for kira that you did that. What a fun memory!
You have a way with words. You are a very good writer. I am just realizing these changes myself. So you are telling me I will never be the “old” me no matter how hard I work at it. I am impressed you got back into your wedding dress. You are amazing!