my new identity

Saturday I went to get my hair cut in a salon. I haven't gotten my hair cut and styled in a salon since 1993. I had my hair "done" for my wedding nearly 3 years ago and for a friend's wedding that same year, but I haven't had it cut at a real salon in 13 years. My mother cut it a few times since then, and I have been to the Hair Cuttery or equally shoddy hair cutting establishment regularly over those 13 years.

Going to the salon was also the first real time I spent without baby Doodle. I had run to the post office when he was 3 weeks old and I went grocery shopping a few weeks ago while Mr. Doodlebug stayed with him, but Saturday I was gone for a whole 2 hours without my little guy. I felt the need to tell both the man who "checked me in" and my new hair stylist that I have a two month old baby at home. It never occurred to me to carry a picture of baby Doodle with me because the actual baby is with me almost all of the time. But if I had a picture I undoubtedly would have shown it off. And then my hair stylist would have obligingly said "oh how cute," whether she thought he was cute or not.

It is like my identity is no longer what it used to be. I am a mother now and though I know I am capable of talking about things other than my son and babies, I find it difficult. I spend sooo much time with baby Doodle that I've become one of those people who talks about their kids a lot. He is my life now, and I'm happy about that.