We are a small, happy family of four. My husband, a baby, a dog and me. My husband works on a yacht. A large, luxury megayacht which tends to be based in some fairly fabulous places. The thing is, where the boat goes, we go! When she was was just eight weeks old our daughter, Coco, boarded her first trans-Atlantic flight and since then we haven't stopped. This is a blog of our rather unusual yet adventurous life. No two days are the same.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Before We Were Mothers

There is a baby buzz in the air at the moment. You may remember my mentioning months ago that three of my best buddies were having babies this year? Well one is here already (welcome Oscar but I don't think Daddy reads my blog so you will never know that I have publicly welcomed you into the world) and I am waiting with baited breath for news on the arrival of the next bubba (who is stubbornly staying put even though he or she is now 12 days late! It's obviously cozy in there). The third arrival isn't due until July so we would like you to stay right where you are for the time being please.

Anyway, with babies on the brain, there was something in the blog posted yesterday by the brilliant (seriously, she is very funny) 4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle, and it got me thinking. She makes reference to taking pictures of her pre-breastfeeding breasts (in this post) and it struck a nerve. She was right, I really wish I had done that, just as a reminder of my former self! I probably don't wish I had actually taken photos but I certainly didn't appreciate them enough. Why didn't I love my boobs more pre-baby? Why didn't I love all of my body more pre-baby? I have always hated my boobs (too big - I know, I should be grateful but I'm not) but actually, two years ago they were bloody lovely! Similarly, my tummy. Never, ever been happy with it. Even in my skinnier times it was never even close to being washboard, but come on! Compared to the the prune-like texture that it is now, kind of like one big elbow, it was so smooth and fairly flat. Why didn't I appreciate you back then oh poor tummy of mine? And let's not even start on the state of my pelvic floors and veiny legs!

So what I have been thinking about is, what would I advise my pre-Mummy self to do knowing what I do now? And so, in turn, my pre-baby friends. (Sorry Beth and Nat, definitely too late for you and possibly even you Ilm xx)

- Wear a bikini and wear it with pride. Those little bits of excess flesh are nothing!
- Show some plump, high, where-it's-supposed-to-be cleavage
- Listen to Radio One (for those of you reading from foreign fields, Radio One is the cool and trendy radio station in the UK)
- Stay in bed and read a book one morning
- Pop out to the shops, you know, just pop out quickly with nothing by your purse
- Wear make-up and take the time to experiment with a new eye-shadow!
- Wear pretty, dangly earrings

There are so many more things I could add. What would you tell your pre-baby self to appreciate before the pitter-patter of tiny feet?

I am going to indulge myself in digging out one of Coco's baby photos for you to enjoy - this is why we do it at the end of the day and isn't she worth it! xx

2 comments:

  1. They are all SO worth it but my pre-baby self would have appreciated and enjoyed a few more last minute weekends away and holidays of any kind, enjoying this beautiful world we live in!!! But I do plan to make up for it...the idea of eating out, anywhere at any time rather appeals again too!!!!! x Such an adorable photo of Coco xx

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  2. Great post - I can identify with all of that especially the prune like tummy that's like an elbow! brilliant. As you say, it's all worth it :)

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