I did the unthinkable today. All of you moms out there know what I’m talking about… It’s a quick glance in the mirror (oh, dreaded mirror!) and the heart stops and a quesy feeling creeps up from the pit of your belly (extra jiggley, if I might add.) And, yes, it’s the first real glance at the post-baby body.
After the initial shock wore off and I picked myself up off the floor, I forced myself to open my eyes… okay, so I only looked out of the corner of one eye, but what I saw could make grown men weep. It’s horror flick material, baby! Now those of you who have never had babies might be thinking I’m exaggerating a bit, but for the rest of you… you know what I’m talking about.Â
I find myself yelling “Liar, Liar, Pants on fire!” at the scale because it says I’m just about to the same weight as I was at 19. But, ha!, somehow things have changed… a lot. Like almost ten years of marriage and three kids kind of a lot.Â
I soothe myself and begin the ritual of telling myself that I should be grateful. Afterall I have two legs, two arms, and this body has given me my three beautiful babies. It’s worked hard… like a mule. Oops, I was being positive here… okay. Let’s try again… Where was I? Oh, yes! Grateful.  I’m grateful because I survived the first “damage assessment” and it’s nothing that a bazillion crunches can’t fix, right? I’m thinking chocolate… lot’s and lot’s of chocolate…
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh Tina, you had me laughing out loud on this one! Brynna kept saying “What Mom? What’s so funny?” I can totally relate! You know what though, we have been maternal ‘mules’ three times over! That’s some serious work! So I’m just happy to actually fit in my old jeans and I’ve become a lot more forgiving of how it looks underneath it all. Nobody see’s my stomach besides my hubby and he loves me no matter what! Motherhood is such an amazing and beautiful journey. If my stretch marks are proof of that, then I say we wear them as a badge of honor! Plus the benefit of #3 as we both know is that you just seem to be too busy to obsess over the aftermath as much as with #1 and #2!
Ah, Bless you! You have voiced what every birthing woman has gone through and wished away with all their heart. I have two lovely girls and my body certainly is not mine anymore. However, it is like you said, my body has worked hard and given me two beautiful girls and I wouldn’t trade them for the world (or my body back). Bless you and enjoy the chocolate today – the sit ups can start tomorrow, or the next day, or next week, or even next month. Heck, why not put them off until next year?!
Oh Tina… I’m sooooo with you on this one!!!! Chocolate and Fruit Mince Pies… a perfect remedy to soothe that ‘Mirror Glance’ hahaha.. Probably not at the same time though!!!!
Sarah
xx
LOL! I know what you mean.
Ah, Bless you! You have voiced what every birthing woman has gone through and wished away with all their heart. I have two lovely girls and my body certainly is not mine anymore. However, it is like you said, my body has worked hard and given me two beautiful girls and I wouldn't trade them for the world (or my body back). Bless you and enjoy the chocolate today – the sit ups can start tomorrow, or the next day, or next week, or even next month. Heck, why not put them off until next year?!