Mom Upside Down Is Wow

The second you become a mother, your life and all your perspectives change.

The first time I looked in the mirror after having my beautiful baby girl, my brain flooded with so many questions and concerns. Will I lose all this extra weight? Will my body look the same in a few months? Do I have anything to wear that will fit this body shape? I felt accomplished for pushing out an almost 9 pound baby but I didn't feel confident in any type of way. I heard a lot of "just embrace your stretch marks" and "you will bounce back" but I didn't know how to embrace anything and I didn't know how to be optimistic about my body. I constantly found myself obsessing with the way I looked. Every week I would try to squeeze back into a pre-pregancy pair of jeans and felt discouraged when they never fit. Eight months later and guess what? They still don't fit me and that is okay. I have learned that you can't compare your old size to your new. Your new size looks way better and is more comfortable! It takes a little bit of time to get adjusted and feel good again, but I promise your confidence will come back. Be patient and obsess over your precious baby rather than your shape. 

The other big issue with my confidence has been my hair and skin since having Em. Hormones are out of control and there is clumps of hair in my brush. I continued to take my prenatal vitamin after birth but did it help my outside appearance? Umm...unfortunately, no. Eating right and using good products is my key to looking good the first year after having a baby. (Well, just until the hormones get back to normal.) My hairstylist introduced me to the wonderful R+Co brand. I've been using the Dallas Thickening shampoo and conditioner for a couple months and it has helped my hair grow and less fall out. My favorite healthy snacking foods are bananas, almonds, blueberries, raspberries, hemp seed granola bars, pickles, and popcorn. I try to drink a gallon of water each day to help my glow. If you haven't already, check out my skin care routine for more tips for your skin. 

I nursed my daughter for 5 months. I cried, bled, felt overwhelmed, had sleepless nights, and wanted to quit many times but I pushed forward and alternated pumping and nursing like it was nobody's business. I kept repeating, "you got this" to myself daily, even through the postpartum depression, and always ended up feeling exhausted yet powerful. Breastfeeding is not easy. You get shamed in public for not covering, you get bashed by older generations who never nursed & all the time you hear that formula is easier. It took a lot of courage to breastfeed outside of my home especially since I was already feeling bad about my body. I did it anyway. I strengthened my girl's tummy and helped build her immune system to protect her. I did that regardless of what anybody said and regardless of anything I thought myself.

Being 17 with a baby has made me realize so much. You have to grow up quickly & miss out on some of the teenage events. I often get asked if I am upset because I've never went to a prom or if I miss my life before E and my answer is no. Sometimes my mind does drift off into the "what if" area, but I don't miss or regret anything. I love being a mommy and I wouldn't change my position in life. I still wear *some* "teen" outfits and try to make time for my friends here and there between working, etc. My boyfriend and I still go out and have the occasional date alone. Having a baby hasn't made my teenage years worse, just different! 

No matter what age, no matter what size, no matter what looks... Moms are amazing. Each and every mother who has given up their personal routine and lifestyle for their child(ren) deserve infinite love and support. Our bodies adjust to grow a human for 9 months and we handle the hours of pain and labor like the champions we are. Mom: The Giver, The Lover, The Goddess. Xo.