grace for your post-baby body.

I stepped up to the station to have my mandatory flu shot at work (yes, mandatory. That's a whole other post yet to be written). The nurse was prepping the shot, not looking up at me while I confirmed it was okay to get even though I am still breastfeeding (it was - dangit). Right before she stuck me, she stopped abruptly.

"Your arm is so small, let me switch to the smaller needle"

"Oh good... yes. Please do that." 

As she is switching the needles, she says "Well honey, is your baby just sucking you DRY?" 

I didn't realize what exactly she meant. "Uhhh, I guess so...?"

"The same thing happened to my daughter when she was breastfeeding. She looked just terrible!!"

Silence. Awkward, awkward silence. I only stayed long enough to grab my band-aid and signed form, hoping the line of people behind me hadn't heard her humiliating comment.


I've told this story to some family and friends and we joked about how this nurse would for sure take home the Foot In Mouth Award. But truthfully? It stung.

Here's the worst part: I don't think it ever even occurred to her what conclusion I must be drawing about my own appearance based on her comment. Did she mean to hurt my feelings? I'm sure she didn't. But this is just one of so many body remarks I've received since having my baby. And I know I'm not the only one. I've been on all sides of these remarks and I've learned one thing:

We can't win.

10 months old! {update}

Our girl is edging her way to her first birthday....she's T E N months old. Double digits! 

Lots of fun is coming with the holidays and I'm even more excited to experience it this year with her. We've already seen a couple of decorated Christmas trees and she is completely enamored. I can't wait to put ours up and see what kind of craziness ensues with her trying to pull the ornaments off and eat all the little leaf bits that will litter the floor. (Yes, it's December 9th and we still have no tree. I had great intentions this year but it just hasn't gone according to plan!) 

Best outtake from this month's photo session....

She is such a mild mannered child. HA.

This is real life, you guys. The "10" on the chalkboard is rubbed off because she rolled around on it. The lint roller in the bottom right is there because that's what I was using to make her smile....she was holding it but then decided she would throw it. She has spunk, spirit, and a mind of her own for sure. I've heard people say that means she'll do great things one day. :)