Compression Socks: They're TIGHT, Yo.

By Amy

Most of you know that I recently had a run-in with a blood clot.  My leg was hippo-ish and purple, and the swelling continued for a few weeks after.

UNTIL.

I got my hands on the hottest fashion accessory EVER:
THE COMPRESSION SOCK.

I should probably become a fashion blogger, I'm lookin' so cool these days. 

Actually I would make a really crappy fashion blogger since:

A) I'm not really that into fashion (I wear sweats every day.)

B) I have no idea how they take all of those coy, cute pics in their outfits.  (That would require me to get all cute-ed up frequently, and like I said--I wear sweats every day.)

Haha, this is me trying to figure out how the heck to take my own picture that includes both my legs AND my face.  Impossible, I tell you!

Nope.

Ha, still didn't work.

>Tangent: Who takes fashion bloggers pics?  Any fashion bloggers reading this?  (Ashley? You there?)  I really am curious.  Cause, I assume they don't hire a photographer for every post.  Do they get their husband to follow them around with a camera taking pics?  I have an amazing hub, but I know that a daily photo shoot would go beyond the bounds of his patience.  Maybe they have a friend who doesn't mind snapping photos?  I'd love to find out!<

Anyway, I'm trying to get used to the fact that I will be in a suckin-tight, thigh-high sock through the rest of my pregnancy. (yes, through July and August, I will be sweating in this beastly sock.)

I must admit, it is a little wounding to the ego when a kind old lady comes up in church and offers to give me a pair of her compression socks, cause she heard I was having vein trouble.  (True story.)  I turned to Patrick and was like, "Oh my gosh.  I have become an 80-YEAR-OLD WOMAN."

And I can't forget that my doc and the vascular specialist both warned me to expect more varicose veins to continue popping out on my upper leg, tummy, abdomen, and groin throughout the rest of my pregnancy, because of all the added pressure on my veins.  (Oh, and the purple, knobby varicose veins may get smaller after pregnancy, but they won't go away.  Stretch marks are the least of my worry right now!)

But, the sock is supposed to help my veins.  So every morning, there I am, contortioning on my bedroom floor to shimmy, squnich, yank, tug, and cuss my way into this sock.  It's not a graceful sight.  (Ok, ok, mom if you are reading this, I don't really cuss, but I DO give it a piece of my mind.)  Hayden watches this struggle in amazement and says, "Momma's BIG sock!" his voice filled with awe.  Even a toddler respects the effort it takes me to get in this thing.  Folks, it is TOUGH to get on.  It is really stiff and SUPER tight, and it has to go alllll the way to the tippy-top of my thigh.  I seriously break a sweat and breath heavy, fighting that beast.   I can only imagine how I'm going to get it on when I am 9 months pregnant and can't even reach my feet to put on shoes, let alone pull on the tightest, longest sock in the universe!

The sock itself is the lightest color they come in, and is almost a match to my skin color.  (Ha. I am so pale.)  It has little sticky nubbins all around the inside of the top to keep it from sliding down during the day, and if I don't get it placed exactly right, my bum ends up looking a little strange.  Too high, and I end up with an awkward bum lift on one side.  Not high enough, and it cuts into my upper thigh, creating a bulge that looks very much like a double bum cheek.

But, truth be told, I am pretty grateful for this thing.  My leg is no longer swollen and hurting!  The sock keeps my blood moving instead of pooling in my foot and ankle.  It keeps my poor stressed out vessels supported and helps me to move about, getting on with life, taking care of my son, and teaching my art classes.

So, I plan on Rocking the Sock, baby!

Watch for the next big trend: I'm gonna figure out how to draw cool designs on it with a fabric marker, so it looks like those cute stretchy leggings!  Except it's um...a legging just on one leg.  Well, Michael Jackson became an icon with just one glove, now I'm steppin' up with the solo sock!

And, ya know what?  It's cool when I can complain about varicose veins and talk compression socks with my 80-year-old home girls at church!

But, just wait till you hear this, then you'll REALLY be jealous: I only shave one leg now!  Haha!  Ain't no point in shaving the other! :)  My husband just shakes his head when he sees my nicely smooth right leg next to the hairy forest on the other.  HA!  I think I'll let it grow till I have the baby. :)

Hey...maybe they make compression socks in fishnet?!  Sexy, huh? :)