Sore toes, and other side effects of pregnancy

"They" say that your body changes in all kinds of ways during and after pregnancy, but I didn't really believe it. I had a "it won't happen to me" mentality. Surely I would be back in my regular clothes pretty quickly! Well, I have learned my lesson.

Yesterday I had to go out and buy 3 new pairs of shoes, plus a new pair of slippers. Apparently my feet have grown an entire size in the last 9 months. My toes and feet have been really sore and swollen lately, and at first I couldn't figure out why. Then I realized that all my shoes were too tight, even my slippers. It feels like I've stubbed my toes a million times (which I have, actually, with all the baby clutter we have in the house). So I now have big new sneakers and 2 other pairs of shoes (open-toed, to reduce squishing), as well as a pair of open-toed slippers. Of course now I'm still stubbing my toes due to the open shoes!

And then there are my clothes. I had to buy a bunch of new t-shirts in extra large due to (ahem) growth in a certain area. I've been wearing yoga pants almost exclusively, since none of my pants fit. I really thought that once my maternity clothes were too big, I'd at least be able to fit into the biggest sizes in my closet - the clothes I bought at the beginning of pregnancy last fall when I was bloated but not showing yet. I've lost 55 of the 60 pounds I gained during pregnancy, so I don't think this is an unreasonable expectation. Finally today I was able to suck in my belly enough to be able to button and zip a pair of size 12 pants. I really hope I can fit into some of my work pants in July. I can't afford a whole new work wardrobe too!

I'm hoping to be able to continue to lose the weight that I slowly gained before pregnancy (thanks, fertility treatments!) so that I can enjoy my wardrobe again instead of having a full closet but nothing to wear. I could seriously open up a clothing store with all the different sizes that are in my closet now.

I'm slowly getting back into exercising as my stamina increases. My goal is a daily walk with the dog and babies (pushing a double stroller uphill is hard work!) and getting to one yoga class per week. Maybe someday I'll even have the time to do some of the yoga DVDs I have at home. Being able to do housework again helps too. I love vacuuming!

Ok, enough self-indulgent talk. Let's have a couple of baby pictures to finish out this post.

Zoey and Lucas hanging out on a boppy together



Lucas and Abby on the recliner