This means that I keep up a rather unkempt appearance for 75% of the day. I forgo a shower and stay in my pajamas. I do this because loose-fitting clothing that you don't really care about just lends itself so much better to things like breastfeeding, spit-up, leaky diapers, toilet-cleaning, and the inevitable spills that I make in the kitchen.
Do I miss dressing up and going out to earn a paycheck? Absolutely. But I love my son more than my career. And I was a workaholic before, so I know that I can't juggle a professional life with a family one. I admire the mamas that do.
About an hour or two before Michael is expected home, I straighten up. Toys are put away, dinner goes in the oven, and Liam's high chair slides into the bathroom with me so that I can take a shower yet also keep a careful watch over him.
But once I'm clean, here's the dilemma: What do I wear? Do I put on an outfit that I love? Or should I save that for when we're around other people and instead just throw on a T-shirt and yoga pants?
Then I think about Michael. He always looks dashing when he steps out the door. Case in point, from this morning:
But as soon as he gets home, he switches to jeans and a T-shirt. This means I would look odd if I was more dressy at the dinner table than he. Hmm.
Just as I decide on the the comfy T-shirt and yoga pants, I remember that they're pretty similar in form and texture to that next pair of cotton pajamas that I was going to wear to bed tonight. So why don't I just get into those now? Hmm. It seems reasonable. But it's certainly not exciting.
Michael bought me a striped navy dress from J. Crew this past weekend. I absolutely love it. So should I wear it for him tonight, even though we're not going out? Should I go to the trouble of putting on tights and tall boots and selecting a fun belt? I honestly can't decide, and I'm so thankful that he loves me no matter what I'm wearing.