Momma likes a nice pair of heels and a new purse every now and again. Before kids, new shoes and purses were a given each month. Last week was the first time in 3 years I bought a new purse. Let me admit this new purse I just bought can still fit a diaper and small package of wipes. It was easy for me to fall into the yoga pants and baggy shirts kind of look when I became a stay at home momma. It was even easier for me to pass on the same comfort style to my daughter. We pierced her ears at 5 months old and continued to dress her up for holidays and pictures but other than that we were two comfy gals.
I saw her interest for the not-so-girly cloths come out more and more everyday as she grew her way towards two years old.. She idolized (and still does) her father. There is nothing wrong with that, my husband is someone to admire, but a part of me still ached with wanting to put pigtails in and continue to buy those pink outfits. I remember being in tears sitting in the parking lot of our daycare when she was 18 months old. It was a huge battle getting her into her cloths and packed up for daycare that day. I didn’t know then but I know why it happened now. She didn’t feel comfortable in what I was dressing her in and she fought me every step of the way.
Fast forward four more years and I have one happy little girl. I remember standing in the girls section of our local department store with a pink and white Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle t-shirt in one hand and the boys version in the other hand. I’m supposed love picking out my daughters cloths but in some aspects it’s so hard for me. Until that day. I made my decision, checked out and headed home. When I opened up the bag to show my sweet girl a few new Summer outfits I saw her face light up. She instantly took her cloths off and put on that very boyish TMNT t-shirt I chose and danced around the room. From that day on I realized it’s not about what makes me happy it’s about what makes her happy. Another part of parenthood that would have to consist of me putting my wants and needs aside. Watching her dance around the room in her new t-shirt made my own wants and needs seem like a dark distant memory.
Don’t get me wrong, I still shop in the girls department, I still buy a few things here and there that she never wears but those are few and hard to come by these days. I know what your thinking, take her shopping and let her pick her own cloths out right? Sometimes we do that, however she is VERY strong willed (nothing like her father at all cough-cough) so no matter what article of clothing I suggest she will say no to. My sister does really well with picking out cloths for her so I’ve since asked her to pick out a few outfits come birthday and Christmas time. My sister as a child never felt comfortable in girly cloths but that is still the same sister that I have since borrowed a few tops from recently. I still get a certain kind of feeling in my heart when I walk by Easter dresses, girly pajama’s or dolls in the store, but it’s different than it used to be. I feel like I’m embraced my sweet girl and all that she has to offer more and if anything maybe I have hope for the future.
I still prefer yoga pants over skinny jeans and I love a good Ugg boot over a heal but that’s only because I’ve changed over the years as well. I still put on a pretty high heel and a dress for date nights and special occasions. I look forward to sharing my daughters style with her, I want to embrace and enjoy it with her not battle and fight with her through it. Whether she wears a sweat suit or skirt, a prom dress or suit, a wedding dress or tux this Momma is going to love her no matter what. It may have taken me some time but I look at her beautiful smile as she bounces around in her t-shirts and baseball caps and that keeps me in check.
