Dusting off the saddle
I never thought I'd say this, but I'm almost, ALMOST, ready to go back to work.
Luke's last day was Friday, and since then the Frema-Useless Clutter household has seen a flurry of activity, what with traveling and spring cleaning and catching up on laundry and discovering that Kara's already outgrowing some of her three-to-six-month sleepers. It's been great having the three of us together again, but sometimes it seems like we're stepping all over each other. I'll be glad for the time when we can establish a more permanent rhythm, one in which we're allowed to master our new roles instead of randomly trying to accomplish tasks in between bottles, diaper changes, and faulty W-2s.
That's right. After cursing out Turbo Tax for more than two hours over the bright red "Federal Taxes Owed" box taunting us from the top left corner of the computer screen, I found a discrepancy in my tax form big enough to bring on the more financially-friendly green box, which means now we can't file our return until my employer's payroll company produces a new W-2. Because taxes aren't fun enough!
Anyway, to banish that lovely experience from my memory, today I'm embarking on my "I'm a savvy working mom who despite her coolness is still too flabby for ninety percent of her pre-pregnancy wardrobe" shopping spree. Before I go, I'll try on some more of the stuff I packed away last summer, but seeing as I could barely lock the zipper on my once gut-friendly corduroys, I doubt I'll have much luck with the tailored dress slacks. I'm not looking to buy out the mall, but it's about time I passed along the rest of my maternity clothes to my sister Samantha, who, unlike me, is actually with child, and it's illegal to go to work naked. I also hope to step outside the confines of my traditional beauty regime (read: away from the Clinique counter) in search of new products for my lingering skincare issues. I have a filled-to-the-brim make-up bag with items that haven't been touched since 2006 and half-used bottles of cheap facial cleansers that aren't doing anything for my acne, and now that I'm a mother, it's time to step up to the plate and reclaim the womanhood I left behind back in my first trimester. After spending the last hour and a half combing through Amalah's Advice Smackdown archives, I think I have just enough information to be dangerous at Sephora. Hopefully the consultants won't notice I've been wearing the same gray lounge pants every day for the last five seven days. Also, that I'm still sporting a nursing bra because it's the only one I have that can support my now-ginormous boobs.
Don't worry, I'll be sure to share the fruits of my labor just as soon as I can; until then, behold my gorgeous baby, who I promise to take to the dermatologist at the first sign of trouble.
Samantha and Kara, who's wearing the too-tight sleeper mentioned in my latest Parents entry. Dear dryer, why must you be so cruel?
Pregnant lady number two donning the same blissed-out expression as my sister. Clearly babies and gestating women go together like a horse and carriage.
OMG MY BABY IS ALREADY SAYING HER PRAYERS HOW PRECIOUS IS THAT.
Perfection at its most curious. Also, its most beautiful.
I had such an identity crisis when I was buying some stop-gap clothes after Charlie was born. I look at that stuff now and I'm like "What in the world was I thinking?" Fortunately it worked at the time and my old clothes fit soon after. Good luck and have fun shopping! I'm so happy to see you feeling upbeat about the transition!
Posted by: Becca | February 21, 2008 at 08:50 AM
I think she looks a lot like you, Frema.
Good luck with the shopping spree!
Posted by: Liz | February 21, 2008 at 09:03 AM
The look they sport while learning is so facinating to me. You can see their wheels spinning. She is so so sweet,well cute but I have to assume she is equally sweet.
Good luck with your shopping trip. Remember what Stacey and Clinton say, it doesnt matter what the tag reads if it fits! No one looks inside your pants. :)I remind myself of this A LOT!
Posted by: Christina | February 21, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Well, who WOULDN'T look blissed-out holding that little bundle of preciousness? Have fun shopping!
Posted by: Fraulein N | February 21, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Good luck shopping. She is really adorable. Those cheeks are too cute!
and thoughts are with you as you prepare to head back to work.
Posted by: Keri | February 21, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Yay for baby pictures! Yay for new clothes! I'm glad that you're feeling more positive about returning to work!
Posted by: Trilby | February 21, 2008 at 10:29 AM
The weight takes time, but consider this as well - your bone structure has changed, too. So even if you get all Kiera Knightley skinny (NOT that you'd want to!), you still might not fit into your old stuff exactly the way you used to. So yey! Shopping! Have fun!
PS* Super cute baby. I wish I knew you personally so I could squeeze her a bit too.
Posted by: Liz | February 21, 2008 at 10:43 AM
You know, it is so weird how your body changes. I can't fit into a lot of my old clothes, even though I know I weighed more at one point pre-pregnancy than I do now. Have fun shopping! :)
And Kara, as always... just precious.
Posted by: Kelly | February 21, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Good luck with the shopping spree and try not to get frustrated! I've been a lot frustrated when I can't find pants that fit my 4-months-post-partum-but-looks-5-months-pregnant stomach. Grrr.
But I am blissed out too, just looking at you adorable little baby with the fabulous hair.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 21, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Good luck with the shopping. Remember it's supposed to be fun.
And how cute is little Kara with your sister and Molly?! It makes me want to get knocked up. (Sort of.)
I love the "praying Kara" photo. I about die every time I see Babboo fold his arms for prayers. When he says "amen" at the end, I do die.
Posted by: Isabel | February 21, 2008 at 03:57 PM
She is so cute, Frema! I especially love the third picture of her. What a face!
Posted by: becky | February 21, 2008 at 04:11 PM
I could look a pics of Kara all day!!1 She is gorgeous!
Posted by: Rachel | February 21, 2008 at 04:22 PM
She is a beautiful baby! I can't believe it is almost time for you to go back to work...time flies! Good luck with the shopping...have fun with it!
Posted by: Steph T | February 21, 2008 at 07:03 PM
The pregnant ladies and little Kara are too cute. My ovaries can't handle the pictures though. I NEED A BAYBEEEEEEE!! ;-)
Posted by: Lindsey | February 21, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Good Lord she is adorable...and your very own little mini-me. I so want to grab her little legs. Oh, and the praying comment cracked me up.
Posted by: Hilary | February 22, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Clothes don't make the person, but they are needed to move about in public. They are tools to do the job. It is good to not have to work to get dress to go to work. The amount of required stuff dependence upon what is need to move through the work week and maybe into the next week, as well. Love the baby pictures.
Posted by: daddy d | February 22, 2008 at 08:00 PM
She is simply beautiful!!
Posted by: Kay Green, Child Safety Mom | February 25, 2008 at 01:39 AM