New babies come at a high cost. No, I’m not just talking about money or those sleepless nights – but there’s something else that these precious little ones cost us mothers… and that’s the toll on our personal hygiene.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the full length mirror on the way out the door yesterday and I barely recognized myself. My hair was carelessly pulled up in a bun-tail (you know, one of those half pony-tail, half bun thingies); My black shirt had a very large smear of white dried spit-up on it; and my Capri’s looked like they had just come out of the hamper (it was actually the dryer – but hey, at least they were clean!).
Raise Your Hand If You're Sure!
After seeing my legs, it dawned on me that perhaps I had also neglected to ‘groom’ my pits… I pulled up a arm and gasped! Yikes… I was officially a hippie! We live in an area where tank tops and shorts are normal attire year round. I have gone into public several times like this – to the store, to visit friends, and have even attended church!
Even though I’ve been able to shower on a semi-regular basis, shaving hasn’t exactly been high on my priority list. Our newborn son has a bad case of Acid Reflux and as a result must remain upright all of the time. My arms are always full and most of my time spent caring for his special needs. I suppose one should be able to rationalize this and not let it bother them, but yesterday it really got to me.
I started to descend into a little pity party, when a small voice from behind me said ‘Mommy, you’re the most beautiful girl in the whole world and you’re a wonderful maker!’ (I’m assuming he meant food). My oldest son (4) had poked his head around the corner and in two seconds set me straight. He reminded me why I had let everything go in the first place… there are more important things in life than looking well groomed. Who cares what anyone else thinks? Besides, I know that this ‘season’ of my life will pass all too quickly and my hairy-legged days will be over.
With a renewed spring in my step, I proudly grabed my hairbrush and neatly combed those lucious locks… on my legs! :-)
God Bless!
~ Erika
Oh, how I remember those days. And you are so right this to will pass. Being a mommy is not always pretty, but it is always worth whatever price you pay.
When my son was born I think the only purfume I wore was baby spit up. And I considered the hair on my legs as added insulation against the cold weather.
Congratulations on your new son.
God bless.
Aloha Erika,
I loved seeing you a few days ago, I neglected to exchange our latest #’s Just assuming I had yours. I love your website,and I would have been in it everyday with my son Matthew’s antics. He was about 9 before he was comfortable using utensils to eat, and then we moved to HI and he immediately traded them in for chopsticks. God has blessed us richly in him, and as he grows into the lovely young man that he is, I give thanks with every breath for every hiccup. Please call. Soon.
Love,
Teri