Toddle Along Tuesday - Letter to Your Old Self
Today is Toddle Along Tuesday! This week's topic is "Letter to Your Old Self" I am linking up with Melissa at Growing Up Geeky.
Dearest Jen (circa 2010),
Wow, you just found out you were pregnant! Happened quicker and easier than you thought, right? Well, take a deep breath, and even though Jordan is just as scared as you are, everything will work out. I know you are thinking, "How on earth am I going to do this with my parents and in-laws living over 300 miles away? This isn't how it 'normally' works, right?"
Well, you can, you did, and you will. You are stronger than you think and together, truly, Jordan and you can do anything. Here are some words of wisdom:
-Please throw NORMAL out the window, right now, because you do what you need to do and that is your new normal. Try your hardest not to play the compare game, during your pregnancy, and with Henry and his peers as he grows up. There is always going to be another child who is walking sooner, eating more, gaining more weight, using more words, etc. Henry is who Henry is meant to be and that is an amazing gift from God and you need to try your hardest to remember that.
-Don't let every other pregnancy story scare you, or make you anxious. I know its easy for you to get worked up, and just smile and nod when people tell you that it was the worst pain you will ever feel, or that you will poop on the table. You will make it through, and you might even want to do it again!
-Be up front with your OB/Gyn. Even though you think that they have your best interests in mind, it is important for you to make up your mind in order to steer your care and birth in the direction YOU want. Don't be afraid to ask them questions, call them on the phone and demand them to explain something to you more than once if you don't get it the first time. Don't be afraid of hurting their feelings. You and baby are most important!
-If you aren't getting the care you want in the hospital, speak up. Your labor will be long, and while you think you will have Henry on Christmas day, it will be 2 days later than that, even though, yes, your water will break on Christmas Eve, but nothing is done for THREE DAYS. I know it sounds scary, but you come out just fine, and more importantly Henry comes out perfectly. But, be stern with the doctors and don't be afraid of them judging you. YOU are in control.
-Don't freak out, but Henry is going to be a big guy! I know in all your birthing classes, you will hear that the average baby is 7 or 8lbs, but he will surpass this by far, and I won't ruin the surprise because its amazing, but know that he is the most adorable ball of joy you will ever lay your eyes on!!
-Henry will stop crying. I know you are afraid that he'll cry forever and you won't know what to do to make him stop, but you will know exactly what to do, and he will not cry forever. Sometimes it might seem like it, but he will stop.
-You will be a successful mother WHILE working full-time! I know it sounds overwhelming, and you wonder if you will ever have enough energy, but you make it work, with lots of help from Jordan, who is such a supportive and involved dad. He will help with the dishes and the laundry (but not too much because he is still working on his dissertation!)
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| Henry and you at the New Hampshire Fishercats game (6.24.12) |
Much love from your awesome, amazing, calm (and pretty fit) future self :)
P.S.- you will also train for a 5K (I know, seriously!) and run it on July 7, 2012 (your first one!). Told you that are amazing xoxox
