Being an oldest child, I never had to wear hand-me downs - clothes that other people had worn already. My sisters, on the other hand, often got my old clothes (though they did get their own clothes, also). Outside of a couple of time when old cousins let me have their cool old outfits, most of my wardrobe has been new.

As of late, since my uterus has decided to pop out, I've realized that I need some clothes. I went shopping in West Virginia at the local mall, and didn't find anything that I liked. However, time is growing short - my belly is getting bigger (whether it's actually the baby or my late fondness for food, I don't know) and I don't fit into any more of my pants, and I really can't go into work in a pair of sweats - it just isn't professional. However, there is only so long that I can wear my current wardrobe of pants - and I'm already at my "fat" pants, and I have to inhale just to button them.

I went to my little cousin Jillian's birthday last Saturday, and I really didn't know what pants to wear, though I knew I wanted to be comfotrable. So I stopped by Target and bought a large pair of sweatpants. I put them home when I got home, and Dave remarked "Wow, you look like you're wearing pajamas." I told him it was really the only thing I could fit, and he left me alone. When I got to the party, Fatima laughed out loud and said, "What are you WEARING?!?!?! Those look like grandma pants!" Of course, everyone else had some funny insight to offer on my fat pants. A good laugh was had by all at my expense. Hell, I was comfortable! I never really cared about being fashionable. Ok fine, I do.

Here is the part where the ex-pregnant women come to the rescue! My cousin Trully and friend Chariya just had babies (Trully in September and Chariya last February) so they had a lot of clothes from that time. Actually, Chariya had given Trully a lot of her clothes, and Trully gave them to me. So my stuff is second generation. Or is it third? I always get mixed up with that generation stuff.

Anyway, so I got bags and bags of stuff from these lovely ladies, and I have yet to sort through them, but I've already worn some of them. Chariya said she swearsa by Old Navy maternity clothes, and I tried on a pair yesterday and I fit perfectly in them (with some room to spare, of course) and they were awesomely comfy!!! A much better fit than buying large sweats at Target!

So hand-me downs aren't as bad as I thought they were. Sure, I'm not the first person to ear them, but I'm thankful for the generosity of these fellow mothers. Along with my friend Jen (who is so tiny I could never fit into her clothes), who has given me a lot of advice, magazines, and stretchmark cream, I would have no idea what to do with myself during this time, and no one to ask questions. This motherhood thing is definitely something that bonds you with other women!

Coming up tomorrow: Jen, Rachel and Christine hit the Baby Fair!

Posted by Yano at November 7, 2005 08:22 AM

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