It has been 11 days since I gave birth to my third child. I spent 10 of those at home, thanks to both the assistance and insistence of my mother. She brought my two older kids to and from school. She did the marketing. She ran my errands. She wouldn't let me do anything, especially leave the house.

My mom, a mother of 5, knows how important it is to allow yourself time to recover. She also knows how challenging it's going to be next week when she leaves and my number of kids in tow goes from two to three.

"Why don't you get your hair cut while I'm here?" My mom asked as she tilted her head to the left and examined my messy brown curls. It had been several months since my last hair cut. I knew it was now or never so I made an appointment for Saturday.

I felt like a vampire as I stepped out into the sunlight on Saturday afternoon. It took my eyes a minute to adjust and locate my car. While I was backing up, I turned the wheels the wrong way and bumped into the curb. I took a deep breath and tried to remember how to drive.

I arrived at the hair salon safely and somewhat relaxed. Then panic came over me as I reached into my purse and realized that I had forgotten of cell phone. What kind of mother leaves her newborn at home and forgets her cell phone? A mother of three, that's who. I reassured myself that everyone knew where I was going and could reach me if something went wrong.

I sat in my chair at the salon and looked out at the people walking by. After 10 days at home, downtown Mountain View felt like Time Square. The hustle and bustle fascinated me. I wondered where everyone was going.

When he was finished, my hair dresser turned me around in the chair and said, "Your baby isn't going to even recognize you!" He asked if I wanted to make an appointment to come back in 8 weeks. I just laughed and told him I would call when I'm ready.

As I walked towards the parking lot on Villa, I hastened my steps. I noticed a few people staring. They probably took one look at my freshly styled hair and hurried demeanor and assumed I had somewhere fancy to go that evening. The truth was I was just rushing home to be with my kids - and not because I felt like they needed me - but because I was really excited to see them again.