you know you've been assimilated when ...

[percival]

... you have the choice between reading the paper in peace and staring at your daughter, and you choose the latter.

And a post-birth poll for good measure:
I've been to GAP with my mum, who held the baby while I tried on some clothes. To my astonishment, I fitted into a size 12 (US 8) skirt and size 12 boot-cut jeans (low on waist, flared trousers). I tried both with a snug-fitting M top. Mum was adamant that the jeans looked great on me. My only concern is that they bisect my jelly belly in two, forming a small roll on top of the jeans. The skirt didn't present those problems; it was higher in the waist. I'm now torn:

[Poll #575211]

Anyhoo, I'll raid my old clothes today to see what can stay and what should go. Size 10 was the thinnest I've ever been in my life, but I'm happy if I'm size 12 with L tops after baby's birth. Most women's bodies change after giving birth, and I really detest the pressure the media exerts on women to regain a flat tummy. If you have a naturally flat stomach, more power to you, but a lot of women are left with a more or less jellied belly or larger thighs, smaller breasts or larger breasts. Why aren't these shapes celebrated?

Comments

[adela-terrell.livejournal.com]

You are a new mum, if anyone can be forgiven for going out with a bit of wobble its you. As I can't even squeeze into a 20 at the moment, if I were you I would buy the outfit and wear it with pride!

[aome.livejournal.com]

Why aren't these shapes celebrated?

Depends on the culture; in some places they are, but you're right - Western 'ideals' have poisoned everything. I know health is important, but it's still a shame.

[sarka.livejournal.com]

Buy the jeans now and make it a project to make that bit of fat disappear.

Don't overexert yourself, though - like someone said, you're a new mum, you can get away with it :)

[janeylou.livejournal.com]

Before having a baby, I would have had a serious issue with being mum-shaped. Now I've had two, I positively love the bits that stick out when I bend down and my top rides up my back.

Wear what the heck you want, girl! You've earned the right to show off them bits and how you got them!! (In any case ... who's going to be looking at flesh-overflow when they're all admiring Baby-Cuteness!)

*smirk*

[perceval.livejournal.com]

ah, the old distraction tactic!

[anyro.livejournal.com]

I personally (who did not need to have a baby to have a jellied belly) prefer wearing whatever trousers I like with a comfy L-top. Buying clothes for tomorrow's weight loss has never worked with me - just a bunch of clothes I never really wore. Well... maybe it's different for you.

[pippins-babies.livejournal.com]

To me, jeans and M tops seems the best option, a bit of optimism and you get the benefits of retail therapy now! I'm really pleased to hear you're doing so well, I will be in Edinburgh early next year and would love to meet up again, and of course greet your new arrival?

Luce x

[perceval.livejournal.com]

sure, a mini moot would be great!

[themorningstarr.livejournal.com]

I don't know what M tops and L tops are, but I suggested the L top if it does indeed hide the roll. I got rid of a lot of my post-baby flab (later put it all back on, *sigh*), but it took a long time. Buy something that feels comfortable and looks good now, because you don't know how long it'll take to get rid of the roll. I still have my own jelly belly, and all my stretchmark induced wrinkles. You wouldn't want to spend money on the M top and have it sit in your closet for an indefinite period.

I never had a pre-child young woman's body. I had a teenage body and then a mom body. So I suppose I just don't know what I missed.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

it depends - my body only really got the shape you saw when i was in my late twenties ...

[sannalim.livejournal.com]

You fit into a US 8 only a few months after giving birth?

I'm envious. I'm wearing a US 8, have given up on ever getting back into a 6 again, and, not being married, won't be pregnant anytime soon.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

breastfeeding helps ...

[piperx.livejournal.com]

Boy, I don't know. All women are different. Some women can get rid of that flab. Some can't. It seems to me that our bodies are still finding their shapes for a while after pregnancy. That's why I said to wait. But if you are back to your prepregnancy weight, you might be done losing weight, in which case, that tummy won't be going anywhere for a while, so I'd say to get the jeans and L top.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

well, i have split rectus muscles, so the flab will be with me for a while. but i have a baby, and that's a small price to pay...

[mrsronweasley.livejournal.com]

If it helps at all, my sister's so busy with Maia, she barely has time to eat, and that's one way of losing weight. :P (I wouldn't suggest it, personally...) But the jeans! Go nuts! You probably look better than you think, and who cares! BABY! :D