After Baby Clothes Shopping

Yes ladies I'm going to talk about it! I'm starting my new job tomorrow and don't yet fit into the clothes I bought last year.  This lead to me having to do what I've been dreading for the past 4 months.  After I had my oldest I was in complete denial about what happened to my body.  I spent many, many years a size 2 due to all the dance classes I was taking and teaching.  When I married my husband and moved out of my mommy making me healthy meals house, things changed.  I went up to a 6.  I didn't like it but I accepted it and knew I was still small (man I'd kill for that now).  I didn't even gain a lot with my son but due to the lack of dancing, getting older, and my life just overall changing, my body just wasn't what I remembered.  TOTAL DENIAL.  I bought the size clothes that I needed to after I had him but I hated it.  I even bought cheap stuff just to buy it with the mentality that "I won't be this stupid size much longer."  Let me tell you, it took me a year and a half to get back to a "good size" (whatever that means).  I was getting happier with my weight and finally bought new clothes but still wanted to be smaller.  Then, I got pregnant again lol.  The vicious cycle!

Thanks to a wonderful friend of mine, I was supplied with an AMAZING maternity wardrobe!  It was FABULOUS!  Gap maternity, Pea in the Pod, etc.  I felt fashionable and pretty!  After #2 was born I actually felt good about my body.  There wasn't a drastic change like last time and I didn't have a c-section this time around.  Overall, I was much happier.  It being summer you can get away with cuter and comfier clothing.  I kept wearing my maternity shirts and tank tops because I could lol.  I also bought a lot of exercising shorts and skirts.  I wasn't working this summer so I didn't need to squeeze myself into "real" clothes.

It's getting cooler now and I go back to work.  I couldn't put it off anymore.  I had to go.  This time around, I was ready.  Here's what I learned from my experience today:

*Do NOT go into the store with a bad attitude.
*Do NOT go when you are pressed for time OR have the kids!
*Do NOT go in expecting some kind of miracle (you will be greatly disappointed).
*Do NOT go in thinking what I did the first time around, that you will just get something to get it and you won't be this size much longer.
*Try on clothes you already own to guesstimate what sizes to try on.
*Grab at least two sizes for each item.
*Try on the larger size first.  You will be less upset if what you try on is too big rather than having to go up a size!
*Do NOT be cheap!  I'm not saying buy a bunch of $50 sweaters and $75 pair of pants, but if you can, splurge a little on a few items.  You also don't need to buy everything at once.  I saw some cute heavy sweaters but resisted the urge because I don't need them just yet.
*Try to look for the best in everything.
*Remember, size is just a stupid number some MAN invented to make women feel bad ;)
*It is about how you FEEL.  So what if those pants are a size 14?  They look amazing on you!  You rock those pants girl!  Embrace those curves (your husband will want to later)!
*Go outside your normal "comfort" zone.  I'm not normally a dress or skirt person.  This summer I realized that they are quite comfy and helpful to new mommies!  I even bought a skirt and dress today!
*Try a store that you might have avoided before for fear of buying "old lady" clothes.  I used to think this way about Marshalls and TJ Maxx.  Both places are hit or miss BUT I scored big time at Marshalls today and will be returning!
*Remind yourself that if you had a personal trainer, chef, nanny, and housekeeper you too would bounce back in six weeks and then some!  I don't know about you but I'd rather spend those six weeks in my pajamas, on my couch, nursing and cuddling my sweet baby!
*Remember you are beautiful.  Yes you are.  I'm not just saying it.  You are gorgeous.  You have a gorgeous baby or babies.  They love you.  They think you are beautiful.  They say so with their eyes and smiles every time you look at them.

With all of that said, I had a really great experience today.  I came home feeling really good about myself.  I was ready to pack away the maternity clothes (not the tanks though because they are PERFECT for any woman looking for comfy LONG tank tops), go through all of the clothes I had downstairs (small sized stuff I was desperately hanging onto and larger stuff I bought the first time around that made me feel icky), and start fresh!

 Because a girl can't have enough sparkles in her life!

Sorting through the chaos.  Donated a lot.  Now I can buy more! :)