Tuesday, February 22, 2011

I used to be cool.

I used to be cool.

I used to be fashionable.

I used to be a lot of things.

I used to have a big closet full of wonderful, stylish clothes, bags and shoes.

I used to shop.

I used to accessorize.

I used to get my hair cut several times a year.

I used to have a hair style that I actually styled.

I used to spend time doing my make-up.

I used to know what was new with music, books and movies.

I used to travel.

I used to follow rock stars around and hang out with my cool rock-n-roll peeps.

And then...

And then I gave birth to four babies in less than 11 months.

Abbey was born at 40+ weeks. Sleeping.

Rich and I purchased burial plots.

We buried our baby.

And then I was told that all three of my triplets would most likely not survive.

I held my breath for months and months.

They did survive.

The girls were born at 35 weeks and 6 days.

My normally size 0-2 waist measured four feet around the night before my c-section.

We began the process of purchasing a new home.

And then I lost my job.

And then we couldn't sell our other home.

And then Rich lost his job.

The babies were sucking down and spitting up one can of formula every 36 hours.

We had co-payments times three.

We had a cobra insurance payment to make each month.

We cleared out our savings.

What I was wearing didn't seem so important.

I tried.

I tried to have my cut in a cute style.

It always looked ridiculous because I didn't have the time to style it.

I tried to wear cute outfits.

But none of my clothes fit right.

Now...

Now I have diastasis recti.

And a herniated belly button.

I have to try on any and every clothing item before purchasing it.

I keep my hair long and have it cut about once a year. (The last time was in September.)

I wear it in a ponytail 99% of the time.

Most of the shoes I wear at work were purchased more than 10 years ago.

I have perfected the 5 minute face.

I can't use the words/terms whatevs, for reals or obvs without feeling like "someone's mom." (You know. The mom who still thinks she is young and cool.)

I wouldn't know a Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber song if you hit me over the head with it.

I don't have time to shop.

I'm tired.

I would rather put my money towards other things such as photography equipment or savings.

Cool or uncool, this is me.


****

I recently started reading some new-to-me mommy blogs and what really struck me was how young and fashionable the author/mothers are. They post pictures of their outfits and describe where they purchased everything. I suddenly feel old. Really old. And I realize too, that for me, it is easier to hide behind the camera.

Clothing has been a big issue for the past four years. I basically don't have time to shop. Shopping is a chore. Rich tries to let me go by myself whenever possible but I always feel like I have to rush, rush, rush. Have you ever tried to shop with one, two or three three/four year olds? This is how it goes:

"Boy, this sure is taking a long time."
"I'm tired. Can I sit down?"
"Mommy, do you need this? Mommy, do you need this? Mommy, do you need this?"
"Do they have any toys here?"
"I'm hungry."

Although Monday was technically a holiday, I went into work. I had some stuff I needed to finish. Because it was a holiday, I drove into Boston and I left early. I drove by one major mall and a few smaller shopping plazas on my way home. But I couldn't stop. Rich who was watching the girls by himself all day, had homework to do. I thought it would be selfish of me to call and say, "Hey, I'll be home a little bit later. I'm going shopping."

This is our life.

Not to copy or ridicule anyone (except myself), I've decided to start my own weekly feature showcasing the outfits that the ladies of the house wear on Saturdays. Probably the stupidest blog idea I have come up with yet. But I obvs want to keep it real. For reals.
Stay tuned....


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30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow....what a year you and your family had. My heart goes out to you. I can completely relate about feeling old..I am 33..and not caring about clothes anymore. Enjoy looking nice but not the brand, etc. I love your blog and read it all the time...first time posting! :)Jen

Elyssa said...

You go girl!

Julia said...

I am much like you, but I think I have always been like that a bit. I have also never spent a night away from the kids, and don't really intend to in the next couple of years. Like you, I feel like this is a precious time of their/our lives, it will be over too soon and we will again have time to think of ourselves when they start asking us to leave them alone in their room, hehe. It comes slowly - we add a small shopping spree here, a class of this or that there, and one day things fall back into a new normal.

Look, you are sleeping already! Bet a year and a half ago it seemed impossible.

Thank you always for your posts. I am not a great commenter but I am here every day, love your pictures and your writing. My best wishes for your family!

Jen said...

I only have one and I don't feel like I have time for these things! i can't imagine times three! Can't wait to see the posts, I just know they will be great!

Hilary Surratt said...

I love this post! You are awesome!

Unknown said...

I really like this post. very real. thank you!

Unknown said...

Let me guess these stylish mothers most likely have one baby? Pfft... I don't know what it's like to have three babies but I do know two and I've seen many with one. I can tell you it's a ton more work and a ton expensive in time and in money. Don't fret about those other "cool" hip moms. You also don't know what they are giving up in order to project this image... and that is all it is - image and marketing...

Anonymous said...

I haven't cut my hair in 2 1/2 years. The last cut it was barely brushing y shoulders. It's now almost to my waist. I don't bother to get it cut because I always put it in a ponytail, and did pre-babies too, so why bother!

The Alexanders said...

I think that it is a SUPER cute blog post idea...I can't wait for Saturday!

Mandy said...

Great post! Sounds like me, down to the ponytail. If it's any consolation I think your girls are the most stylish of preschoolers (and such cuties).

Jacinta said...

Me too!
Don't worry, anything that is 'fashionable' right now you probably wore in the late 80s

Hope's Mama said...

Apart from the three babies born after the baby born sleeping (I have just managed the one so far!!), this could really be my life! "I used to accessorise." Oh yes, me too! And don't worry, I've never used the term LOL. But hey, I just did!
xo

Jamie said...

I am right here with you...stride for stride (ok, except the makeup-never wore it never will, unless its a wedding. You have to look nice in the pictures). I have two...that are 2.5yrs. I am a ponytail girl, if I was younger I would still wear a BOW! : )
Looking forward to the Saturday post...

Tracy said...

LOL!! I had my haircut for the 1st time in over a year yesterday. 100% of the time I wear it up in a clip. I wear sweat pants 99% of the time. Right there with you on Gaga and Beiber who???? I may be a walking mess, but when I go out with my babies they are spit and polished and that's what makes me feel like a cool rockin' mom 'cause it isn't easy for sure!!!

Hang in there... you are cool in my eyes and all those other mother's juggling babies!!

Shannon said...

I feel like I could have written this (well- most of it)...

Kayla said...

Wow - it's amazing how much we change after kids. I never understand how some moms look so stylish and have time to do hair, makeup, shop for clothes. I wish I had that. I have the same list of "thens and nows" that you do. And I do miss the "thens". But then I look at my 3 girls and just thank God I have them. Life has handed out some real doozies to us. But we survived them and are still surviving. And we are THRIVING! I just wish I had some clothes that weren't stained. My hair - I need to style it today and don't know what to do with it because it is a disaster. And I have to "put on my face" and I haven't done it is so long, I hope I still remember how to apply eyeshadow :) For realz.
P.S. I do know Justin Beiber though because of my oldest DD (6.5). There is a poster of him in her room and books about his life (all of his 16 years!)Be grateful that you are spared - his songs get in your head and stay there. Even my 2.5 y/os walk around singing his tunes!

Anonymous said...

I am right there with you on all of those. Except I wasn't a size 0-2 prior to my twin boys being born. But I too have diastasis recti. Good times. I don't know where you hide your belly but it certainly isn't visible in any pics of you I have seen. I still look 6 months pregnant. Did I mention good times?

Sure, we may not be "cool" anymore (the way we used to measure cool) but I think being a good mom is pretty kick ass.

:)
Carrie

CJ said...

I love it! I can almost relate with having twins, but with triplets. I have a herniated Belly button too! Which I planned to get fixed one day.

Anonymous said...

Cool idea!

I always feel intimidated by these cool stylish moms at first. And then I just have to ask myself "why bother?!" because no one will remember what you wore unless it is a really special occasion. Plus I could not justify spending so much money on clothes when elsewhere having clothes is all that counts!
Really looking forward to Saturday!

Ami said...

Yahoo for Saturday! You're awesome! I can't wait to see it!

Jessica said...

I love your honesty and cannot wait to see your post Saturday!

Jenn said...

I only have 1 baby and find it hard to shop for myself. Even if I go out to buy myself things I always end up purchasing something for my daughter instead.

Sarah said...

Thank you for all the comments!!!

And yes, buying clothes for the kids is so much more fun!

Marcia (123 blog) said...

But isn't this stage of your life just more rewarding - knowing who you are, that you don't have to impress other people?

I used to read a couple of young moms' blogs (we were pregnant the same time) and it's just a different mindset. I'm interested in saving and travelling, not being the cutest, hippest person...

I think you look fabulous - do you have any friends around who are handy with a pair of scissors? :)

Anonymous said...

You made me feel young thanks. ;-)

Siné said...

I too am boggled by new Mommas who manage to be dressed to impress. I only have one little one(8mos.) , and I feel accomplished when my shirt is on right side out and my socks match.

By the way, even if you don't think you are cool anymore, you still have one of the coolest Mommy blogs on the web.

Kristin said...

I'm one of those outfit-posting moms. I do it to remind myself how it used to feel to care about clothes, but also to pry myself away from behind the camera. For me it's important to feel like I'm taking good care of myself otherwise I start to get bummed out. My financial priorities have completely shifted so I rely on things I bought before baby, and add pieces here and there during sale seasons. Now that many stores have free return shipping, I never even attempt to shop in public! You have so much on your plate and there will be plenty of time to get back into the swing of things. The good news is you will always have 3 little ladies to give you fashion advice!

Jayme said...

Every post would be me and the kids in our jammies unless we left the house, which is rare...

Katy L said...

Thanks for this. I don't know how you do three little ones, and you're a hot mom!

I have one kid, and though I am only 25, I am not young and stylish. I'm lucky if I end up showered and out of yoga pants.

Keep on keepin on!

Anonymous said...

This post made my whole heart smile!!! I can relate on so many levels. We had a similar year, losing jobs buying house having baby, etc. It can really knock the fashion right out of you! Thank you so much for your honesty!!
Also, I know who Justin Beiber is simply because my 6 year old is WAY cooler than me. Making me feel that much older...