“Mukha ka nang Toni ulit (You look like Toni again),” a friend of mine told me two months after I gave birth. I asked myself if I really did look that terrible easing into Mommyhood. Ouch. Then again, he was right. I didn’t really look like myself. Heck, I didn’t feel like myself. I was trying to understand the whole task of Mommyhood that I parked self time aside. It was only after two months that I finally got a haircut, finally fit into some of my non-baggy clothes, finally remembered to put on a little lipstick when going out.
When Timmy’s playing with his grandparents, I would usually use this free time to organize the baby’s closet, clean up our bedroom, fix his bottles, etc. But by the time he was back in my arms, I’d remember that whoops, I hadn’t showered yet. Gross I know, but hey it happens. Reality check!
And so the past few months I’ve learned that when Timmy’s with his grandparents for a few hours, I go for ME time first. Like what things? Oooh, just thinking about them excites me. It’s usually one of the four things:
a. Take a looooooooooooooooooooooong shower. Bad for the environment, good for Mommy. I take out my favorite vanilla-scented body wash and relax under the shower.
b. Play The Sims 3. It’s my all-time favorite game, and I used to spend hours immersed in it! I love creating homes and making up characters. It’s a great escape.
c. Eat leisurely. Oh, to savor a meal! Yum yum yum. I even get dessert if there’s more time. It’s a joy eating dinner seated!
d. Watch TV. I usually do this while eating leisurely. I watch re-runs of How I Met Your Mother, Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. Relaxing.
If I’m lucky I get to do all four things in an hour. It’s bliss. But what’s even more blissful? Your baby excitedly wanting to get back in your arms. While I’m certain he enjoyed playtime with his grandparents, there’s nothing like him being in Mommy’s arms, his huge smile and his arms around me proof of that.
So yes, to my fellow new Moms, go for that ME time. You can fix the baby’s closet while he’s fast asleep, or after you’ve done all your Me time. You can take better care of the baby when you feel good about yourself too. Which reminds me — I need to get a haircut and some new lipstick.
Hey Mommy, what do you do for your ME time?
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
kala
February 5, 2010 at 4:18 pm (14 years ago)You are so lucky you have lolo and lola around to take over from time to time. It’s so hard to get some Me time here, and during the weekends it’s so hard to spend enough time with just the husband, and time with the baby, and time with the baby AND the husband, when all I want to do is to go out and get away from it all. My escape is taking long loooong showers or baths. Refuge in the tub – how pathetic. I think I should get a babysitter, even if it’s only for a few hours per week, no?
.-= kala´s last blog ..Saturday night fever, teethers =-.
Rachel
February 5, 2010 at 4:59 pm (14 years ago)Korek Ate Toni =D kapag nakina lola at lolo si Timmy parang dalaga ka ulit.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Chocolate Bouquet =-.
Nenette
February 5, 2010 at 9:50 pm (14 years ago)When my kids were babies, I would also vanish into the shower and enjoy my much need ME time under the spray of hot water. I’d also nap, watch tv, and play Sims 2 Pets.
I was always ready to tackle the challenges of new mommyhood after refreshing myself with some much needed self-pampering time.
xo
.-= Nenette´s last blog ..when facebook says "jump!", I say "like this?" =-.
MieVee @ MummysReviews.com
February 5, 2010 at 11:08 pm (14 years ago)I love this post! WHEN I get ME time, which is rare and only at my parents’ place across the sea, I’d have a nice shower, slowly epilate my legs, trim my nails, go for a facial / haircut, or work on my blog!
.-= MieVee @ MummysReviews.com´s last blog ..Giveaway #4: Moms & Tots Cloth Diapers =-.
G.
February 6, 2010 at 10:21 am (14 years ago)Once in awhile, when I absolutely need to be alone, I tell the hubs “i’m spending time on my own”. I do whatever I feel like in the few hours I have to myself. Sometimes, I just take a book, go to a familiar restaurant, eat by myself and read. Or, I head out to the city, eat lunch at one of my fave restaurants then go to a museum. Or, I just walk around to take pictures. Other times, I try to convince my friends to meet me in the city for dinner and drinks. No matter what I do though, I always find myself wishing The Girl is with me… So, even though I say I’d be gone all day or all night, I find myself going home earlier than planned to spend time with her and the hubs.
G.
February 6, 2010 at 10:23 am (14 years ago)Btw, I’m not done reading the book yet. It’s certainly not “The Time Traveler’s Wife”.
Eper
February 6, 2010 at 8:07 pm (14 years ago)Happy Mom = Happy Baby.
I truly believe that we have so much more to give when we take the time to take care of ourselves
Hooray for “me” time!
Kay
February 8, 2010 at 7:44 am (14 years ago)I blog, I read books, I scrapbook … I color. From time to time, I get a massage and mani pedi … welcome to Mommyhood ..
.-= Kay´s last blog ..fallen idol =-.
marie
February 12, 2010 at 12:40 pm (14 years ago)hi Toni!!
well since baby is still only 4 1/2weeks old, my ME time involves: taking a loooong hot shower (everyday when hubby comes home), eat lunch at the table (when she goes for long sleep..eg,2-3hours.. with matching tingin-tingin sa window sa labas), and occasionally.. blog!! Hopefully when she’s bigger I can do better ME things such as do my nails, oh, and my hair! Ang hirap buhay overseas walang family… haaay, can’t wait to go to Manila!
-Marie
.-= marie´s last blog ..Attempting again.. =-.