My midlife crisis

[GrayMatterWife]

When my cousin turned 40, she pierced her navel. Then she taught her kids how to play "ring & run".

Whatever you do...wait until you're done having kids to get the naval piercing. My naval is pierced, and it survived the first pregnancy just fine. But the second...yikes. First, there was all this weird dead skin and oil yuckiness that collected in the canal, then it emerged (was "extruded"?) all at once when my tummy turned out, and it **TMI--so gross** smelled icky. It was awful. So I kept the area super-clean, but it was so sore and very sensitive. Then, this past weekend (7 months after the birth!), it started bleeding at the piercing sites--for no reason at all. And, I guess it started bleeding into and collecting in the canal, too, because the whole things swelled up like an "outie" bellybutton. And no, I have not worn a ring since mid-way through my first pregnancy, so it hadn't been re-traumatized.

It's back to normal size now and I'm keeping antibiotic ointment on it and washing it...but YUCK. And it's embarassing. I'm a clean person!!

All this to say: seriously, wait until you know you're stomach is done expanding and contracting.

[weeniegeniewife]

I piereced my nose when I turned 30...one of the best decisions I've ever made. I love it, and DH has told me never to take it out.

[ides]

It's never too late in life for a new tattoo! I'd say the same for piericing. I've gotten rid of all of mine though I do miss them at times.

I have two tattoos but still secretly want another. I know it wouldn't be kosher with dh's workmates/collegues (it would be on my forearm and I hate wearing long sleeves) so it's on the back burner for now, but oh how I want it!