My baby took my pretty

Before he stole it:

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 rather cute.  And, since I was most pregnant during the summer I could wear some great dresses.

Luckily, between breastfeeding and being so busy I forgot to eat, I lost all the weight in about 6 weeks. I also was crazy lucky in the stretch mark department in that I didn’t get any. Not a single one. But (there’s always a but) my top front tooth shifted back out where it used to live before braces. My great, 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 maybe 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?

How do the rest of you new mama’s feel? Frumpy? Did anyone else’s teeth to crazy weird things??

Tomorrow’s post – My baby took my brain.