So after a long pregnancy plagued by an aching back and super swollen feet, I wore a pair of boots for the first time yesterday. It has literally been a year since I've braved any type of a heel.

I tripped 5 times within the first hour.

My husband smiled at me slyly yet said nothing. I was trying to make him feel jealous by getting all dolled up in order to attend a holiday party on my own; I couldn't even walk straight. I must have resembled a young girl playing dress-up in mommy's closet.

Hair and make-up complete, it was time to walk downstairs. I held onto the banister and attempted to descend with confidence and class. I tried not to react when my left heel wobbled as I stepped down onto stair number five. I kissed the children good-bye and winked at my husband as he saw me to the door. I was grateful when I heard it close behind me and I knew he was back inside. I didn't want him to witness the final leg of my departure - a full flight of stairs from our upper level unit to the ground floor, followed by another grade of five steps to the parking garage.

I made it to the car without further incident. It was then that the panic set in and I realized that I would be facing a house full of co-workers. They hadn't seen me in months as I was still away on maternity leave; I didn't want to embarrass myself by tripping all over the place.

Luckily, I remembered that my trusty pair of black Mary Janes were tucked away under the driver's seat. I changed my boots for the MJ's and made a promise to myself that I would practice in some heels before getting all dressed up again...the way I used to when I played in mommy's closet.