I looked down at my light colored yoga pants. It was then that I realized I had what looked like a chocolate smudge on them and wondered for a moment when did I get chocolate on these.
At this point, I had a revelation. See about a half hour ago, my toddler had started to poop in her pull-up, when I grabbed her and threw her on the toilet. She had just started going in the pull-up, but did end up finishing on the toilet. However, when I took the pull-up off the little pieces of poop that she had started to do fell on the bathroom floor. Without even thinking, I immediately disposed of them. Then, I proceeded to clean the floor, too.
But guess what?
I must have knelt into it as I was cleaning up. So that was the stain on my yoga pants. Got to love it! But I didn’t even realize right away that I did this.
Why?
Because I was too busy taking care of two small kids and feeding them lunch. Talk about embarrassing! Except who was I to be embarrassed in front of two small kids that could care less. It was bad enough that that I had child’s poop on my clothes. But I probably wasn’t even wearing anything that would be considered by many good enough to care about getting dirty.
Once upon a time ago in a far off place, I actually used to dress up and wear nice clothes. I even owned designer clothes and shoes, too. I worked in an office in my early twenties. It was here that I wore heels, and even clothing that was appealing for my petite frame. This person would have never been caught dead in the clothes I was wearing today. She also most likely would have cringed at the thought of having poop stains on her pants. Furthermore, she probably would have nominated me for TLC’s What Not To Wear!
Now fast forward to two plus years into having two kids under 3. See my wardrobe consists of comfortable clothes, including woman’s t-shirts/thermals, yoga pants, and sweatpants/sweatshirts. On rare occasions sometimes skinny jeans make an appearance. But more or less my yoga pants have become my uniform of sorts. I also don’t remember the last time I wore a pair of heels. I mean why should I. See they hurt and I am on my feet all day. Wearing either Nike sneakers or Ugg boots is much more functional. In the summer or warmer weather, I add flip flops to the mix.
Why the change of heart about my clothes in this present day and age?
Because quite simply, I became a mother. After my first child, I returned back to my teaching job. So, I still had to have some decorum and care as to my outfits that I wore daily. But then I got pregnant again. I ended up losing my teaching job to economical issues and job excesses. I had my second child, became a stay-at-home mom.
In the beginning I still cared slightly, but then I started to realize something.
What did I realize?
I had no one to impress other than babies. Plus where did I go all day? See I have kids. Therefore, they could care less what I look like or smell like. As long as I cater to their every waking whim all is well in their little worlds.
Also, I go to places like Target, Stop and Shop, The Children’s Place or even The Dollar Tree. In these places, who the hell is even looking at me. I usually get stopped to be told just how cute my kids are. So, they sure aren’t looking at me!
One day, I was even stopped at Target to be told that my younger daughter was undressing herself. Maybe not the attention I was garnering, but still! Yes, my younger girl likes to take her shoes, socks and hat off when she goes out.
But no one ever stops me to tell me that I look good or even to tell me I look like a holy mess!
So what is the big deal?
However, I can picture the conversation in my head with my younger self. See it isn’t pretty.
Let alone if my younger self ever met me now. Because not only wouldn’t she friend me, she be embarrassed to even know me. Don’t get me wrong, I do dress up on occasion.
When?
Like for the once a month date night or for a family party.
But I guess I am wondering is it so wrong to go out in yoga pants or even pajama pants on a daily basis?
Sorry sue me they are just comfortable.
But seriously hit me up in the comments to let me know that am not the only one who would probably be considered a fashion disaster now in my mommy uniform!
Bill says
The fashion police tried to arrest me a long time ago, but I looked so much like a homeless guy that they couldn't pick me out of a crowd. 🙂 Who cares what you wear? If someone does care, then drop them like a hot poop. 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Oh, Bill the fashion police would have gotten me too and we could share a cell together. I would consider that a good thing by the way and at least know that so far I am truly in good company. Thanks seriously for sharing and putting a smile on my face this morning!!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Amy and so very appreciate knowing I am not alone here on this one. I am currently wearing my gray yoga sweatpants with a navy blue sweatshirt with a long sleeve t-shirt underneath today. Yup totally rocking the mommy uniform, lol!!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Michelle and truly happy to know it just isn't me, nor am I alone on this!!
Jane Marsh says
I'm cringing for you… at least you didn't, you know, lick it or scratch at it or something. Thinking it was, you know, chocolate…
I was trying on clothes with my mom the other day and looking at myself in this gorgeous, gorgeous dress, and my mother's urging me to buy it, and I respond with, "But the key question here is: how well will to camouflage snot-and-food-and-slime smears?"
Motherhood. 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Jane, I am truly thankful for small favors I suppose. As for the dress, that so would have been my thought, plus I would have added, "When and where will I go that I could even wear that to!" Man, I need to get out more, lol!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Oh Kelly I remember the formula and spit up stains all too well!! That said pajama pants sound really good right about now!! Thanks as always!!
Emily (OhBoyMom) says
Nothing wrong with the mommy uniform I say! I am usually seen around town in my gym clothes for most of the day (even though I rarely actually GO to the gym)…I eventually shower but sometimes it's not till evening. Although my poop-stained clothes days are behind me (I hope!), I can completely relate to not realizing some sort of bodily fluid (spit up, pee, etc) was on my shirt or pants until later in the day…oh and that clip from that movie is hilarious!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Emily and I know one day I will laugh about the poop stained clothes incident, but I have to say it truly didn't faze me, which says a lot that I have touched smelled or dealt with in my time being a mother. As for the movie, I love it and have seen it over a dozen times. It never gets old and that seen specifically cracks me up every time and happy you enjoyed it!!
Dani Ryan says
I wear the mom uniform, too. And if my old self saw me, she would cringe.
Funny enough, I wrote a blog post about this yesterday, which I will be posting sometime next week. Stay tuned!
Question: how long did it take you to find the time to change out of the dirty sweat pants after you realized you'd kneeled in poop? 😉
JanineHuldie says
Thank you too Dani and truly happy to be in such good company with you and many of my other commenters here. As for the clothes, let's just say if I could I would changed out of them quickly, but then again something else pressing kept coming up with both of my girls until finally I got to change about an hour after I first found the stain. All-in-all not the longest it could have taken, but longer than I would have liked. Look forward to reading your post soon, too 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Julie and seriously said it before, but just so happy to know I am not alone in my clothing preference here!!
Audrey Howitt says
I am still in the mom uniform–except when I am singing–then I am in my diva wear–my closet is schizophrenic
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Audrey, I would love to see your diva wear and loved the way you described your closet, lol!!
Aa's Mom says
Once I get home, I change directly into my pajamas…and not any designer pajamas but shabby, holey pajamas!! So, know what you mean!!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Aa's Mom and can tell you I too have found holes in more than enough things I own that I thought were good to go. So I do know what you mean.
Cari Lorine says
I can totally see myself writing this one day. What's sad is that even without kids, simply working from home has changed my "uniform". The well-dressed, always heeled, always made up woman my husband fell in love with has become a yoga pant and sock wearing woman who only wears make-up if we're going out. Yeah, sad. He seems to love me anyway, though, as I'm sure Kevin does you! 🙂 Great post, Janine!
JanineHuldie says
Oh thanks Cari and I think you may be onto something about working from home, because I have gotten even more into wearing comfortable clothes since I have been at home, because like I said I have now where to go special or to impress. Happy seriously to know I am not alone on this though!!
JanineHuldie says
Oh Vikki, sounds like we too are kindred souls, lol!! Seriously thank you for sharing and really appreciate knowing that this more common than not!!
Stacy Harris says
I go through phases. Right now I am in a phase were most days… which translates to roughly 4 out of the 7.. I get dressed in something that is not necessarily pajamas. Now I am not going to admit that I might only be in these clothes for about 2 hours. Long enough to pretend that I actually got dressed for the day. But like you said, who is going to say anything. Nobody even sees me really. But what I did realize is that the more I walk around feeling frumpy and comfortable, the more depressed I would become from the attire and I guess the lacking adult contact. So, once again, I am back to wearing jeans, a nice shirt and putting on a little make-up. At this point – it isn't for them as much as it is for me! 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Stacy. I can understand you thought pattern here and will jazz it up every once in awhile with my skinny jeans, but that said I truly love being comfortable right now being home all day. I think it is even worse in the cold weather though, because I am always cold. So during the winter months, I can't help, but want to wear my sweat shirts, sweat-yoga pants and Uggs or sneakers. Keeps me warm and cozy.
JanineHuldie says
Thank you so much Kelly for sharing this with me and you made my night knowing I am not the only one that ended up with poop on her pants and not even knowing it. I can't thank you enough to you, because I feel like I am in awesome company right now 🙂 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Clark for that idea and love the concept you just laid out here for me and may have to take you up on that sometime in the near future!!
Steve Walters says
At least you make it into sweat pants Janine. My attire for the majority of the day is a tee shirt and boxer shorts. It's just too hot here to care about putting more clothes on! If I didn't hate the sight of myself in the mirror I would probably drop the tee shirt too! Going out entails a pair of old shorts and sandals. I can count on one hand the number of times I've worn long pants or any shoes other than sandals in the past 18 months. Daddy uniform in the tropics!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Steve and if I could live in shorts I would, but it is too damn cold here in NY now (another complaint I need to file..I hate the cold and winter!). Your attire sounds perfectly fine to me especially for where you live and for being a stay at home daddy!!
gigigirl says
I remember your days as a fashion plate! That was then and now you are still a fashionable dresser in casual clothes. You have a flair for fashion and always look good! Give it another couple of years and you'll have more occasions to "dress up." Love you……
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Aunt Gloria and glad someone other than myself actually remembers those days, because if they didn't the way I feel now I swear I imagined or hallucinated them, lol!! Seriously, thanks and love to you too 🙂
Meredith says
You know I'm a huge fan of the yoga pants! So versatile 😉 Isn't it crazy how having kids totally overhauls our wardrobe? Poop is the worst too–cringing for you!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Meredith and I know about your love for yoga pants (yet another thing we have in common).As for the poop, it honestly didn't even faze me and not sure what that says about me anymore, lol!!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Dianna and I am with you as you already know in dressing what makes you comfortable. I can't muster up much more at this point, lol!!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks and totally lol Melanie. It is the little things I am grateful for that I truly didn't try to taste it, but then again I have learned around these parts never to taste it unless I truly know what it is. Sad, but true!! As for the clothes, sounds like I am truly not alone and again a bit of good company 🙂 🙂
Cyndi says
Of course, it always does feel good to dress up a bit. You're taking care of so many people, don't forget to take care of yourself. 🙂 I realized I was just donning sweats because I work at home, but now I get dressed and pretend I'm "going to work." No one sees me, but I feel better about myself. But, I'm sure you're beautiful and gorgeous in whatever garb you have on. 😀
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Cyndi and I know I need to take care of myself , but sometimes I will be honest there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. I know it is no excuse, but seriously not sure how to make anymore time with my day being jammed packed as it is!!