Boobs, bathing suits and other girlie things..

You've been warned, this is a GIRLY kind of post.

I was going to abstain from sharing this information with you, but I've decided this is cheaper than therapy.

So last week, I decided I needed a new bra. (Sorry, to those who have heard this saga, but it continued today, and now I need to vent.) The old one just wasn't provided the ladies the boost they needed (after they decided to double) and I broke down and ventured off to Destination Maternity. I felt good about it, I'm at least showing a little and so this trip wouldn't be as embarrassing as the time I went in to inquire about yoga and they asked who was pregnant. Whew... thanks to my baby belly, I was acknowledged as part of the 'mommy group' this time around.

So, I walk in. I tell the lady my story and she directs me to the maternity/nursing bra area. Let me tell you, upon first glance... saying that i wasn't in Victoria's Secret anymore was an UNDERSTATMENT. These are for MILKING. and they make you feel like if you aren't milking something, you need to find something to milk ASAP.

So, the girl helps me into a dressing room and brings me a few bras which letters are far from A. (and we'll leave it at that...) I put them on thinking, there is NO WAY these will fit.. as in, THESE ARE HUGE. Well, folks, this is where the story gets sad. they didn't fit. not even close. they were too small. I mean, I assume you want your nipple covered, right? Mmmkay.

So the nice lady looks at me like she's witnessing something terrible and unfair and says, "we can order you one if you'd like." i quickly say, "wait, you don't have anything bigger? you're a maternity store." she says, "no, that's as big as we get, but i'll give you the number to a place that can help you. they have a bigger selection."

awesome. at least i have an option. i want to cry b/c im only 14 weeks at the moment. i suppose you're now thinking... oh yeah, bigger boobs...cry me a river. but listen... these aren't your victoria's secret wings version of boobs. for further description, please see above comment about MILKING. but, i disgress.

so i get dressed and she hands me a card. i look down and in big letters it says:

LACTATION CENTER OF SAN ANTONIO.

I started laughing only to see that I was the only one. mmmkay. i've reached a new low. she gives me directions and i head out the door. at first, i think.. nah, i'm not going there. i can find something pretty at nordstroms. but then i remember that i'm currently wearing a bra two sizes too small and makes it difficult to breathe. my car somehow turns towards the med center.

so, i pull into the methodist hopsital, which is where she told me the center was located. (weird, i know... i was doubtful of this as well.) i walk in and see a cute little candystripper waiting to help me at the front desk in the main lobby. i ask her where to be headed and she looks at me with a strange face. she leans across the desk to her friend (a good 15 feet away) and yells, "where is the lactation center? i can't remember that." the lobby turns to look.

AWESOME. thanks for that addition to my day.

some lady comes to 'take me there.' on the way, she looks at me and says, "so, you here for more milk?" WHAT?!?!? i don't look THAT pregnant, geez. i laughed and said no, i'm just here to buy a bra. she looks confused but drops me off in front of the NICU. i have no pass and apparently need a pass to get back there. i head to the window and assume this wild goose chase for a BRA will be ending soon.. without a bra.

i ask her where to buy maternity bras and she stares at me. then she offers this helpful advice, "ma'am, this is a hospital. maybe you should try the lactation center STORE. its down the street."

well super. super duper. thanks.

defeated, exhausted and completely humiliated- i head back the car, realizing i can't give up now. i head to the lactation center of san antonio S-T-O-R-E. who knew.

to make this story shorter, i get there. lady is helpful (after making me sign in with all the other mothers there for lactation counseling) and we find a bra - an extremely comfortable, but HIDEOUS bra. good news- if i dont get any bigger, i can also use this bra to nurse out of. see? there are perks and positives to every story :(

SOOOO... today. i decide to go swimsuit shopping with my mom. summer is here, it is hot and i'd like to get in a pool. is that so bad? back to destination maternity.

we walk in and my 'bra friend' is the one to wait on us. of course she is. and eventually, she remembers me. how, you ask? she said, 'oh yeah, you're the one complaining about your boobs.'

AWESOME.

we take a few bathing suits to the dressing rooms. most looked like they came straight out of an 80's geriatric runway show. those two swimsuits made me laugh out loud. then i opened the curtain to show my mom and she laughed a little louder.

me - 0, swimsuit- 2

it's funny though, how your perspective on 'ugly' changes when nothing fits. my mom proceeds to bring in six more swimsuits and tries very hard to make a face to indicate that it looked good. neither of us lie very well.

we left. went to target, found two tankinis (god bless my soul) and called it a day. this morning i felt really good about my body, my weight gain and my health. flourescent lights took that away from me in about 4.2 seconds. and this is coming from a person who is actually happy with herself. its just A LOT of change at once. im embracing it and laughing.

and most importantly, im INSANELY happy to be pregnant with one cute little squirrel.