Hi Tammy,
Reading your story reminded me of myself in so many ways. I was a stay at home mommy for a year and felt the exact same way that you are feeling. I couldnt get enough sleep, felt fat and unappreciated and now years later i realize that what i was feeling was a mild bout of depression. You have to try to find some "me" time for yourself. I would leave my son with my mom and just take brisk walks. The walking helped me to clear my mind and to just think as well as helped me to shed the pounds.
another thing that i would do was to try working out just for about 15 minutes or so to a dvd and my son would "try" to do the same. It is amazing what working out does for the mind. I was also that woman that people would stare at but being a stay at home mom I didnt feel like that woman anymore.
I eventually went back to work and am now back to my old self, I can sleep late and my son basically takes care of himself (he is now 12) and ironically i got to a point where i then felt useless and didn't even know what to do with myself because all of a sudden I had all of this free time.
I had to find myself again but when I found myself it was a better, new improved me because I felt a renewed sense of accomplishment!
Just keep telling yourself that this is a phase that you are going through to benefit the children and you will get back to yourself.
Trust that you will. I think every mom has felt this way at some time or another.
If you like you are MORE than welcome to send me an email and we can chat further.
I understand what you are going through and would be more than happy to just listen or offer words of encouragement!
Tanya
PS sorry that it was so long
