A Letter to My Pre-Baby Self

Dear Pre-Baby Self:

Your life is about to change drastically. I know you think you know this, but almost every aspect of your life will be different.

You will be tired, but you will survive. Just when you think you can’t function one more minute, you’ll get a burst of energy that pushes you through the day. When you hear those baby cries (screams) in the middle of the night, you will be so groggy you can barely get out of bed, but then you will see your sweet baby and won’t mind snuggling him in the dark while he eats. Grab an extra cup of coffee in the morning and sleep when you can.

Your body will be softer, but it will be beautiful. Even when you cringe when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, you’ll remember your pregnant shape and be in awe of how your body carried a precious life for 9 months. Be gentle with yourself during those first few weeks. You will get stronger and while your body may never be the same, you can still be proud of your new shape.

Your marriage will be different, but it will be stronger. Gone are the days of going out to a last minute dinner or date night. You will be squeezing in meals between the witching hour and bedtime, but you will still carve out time to just be together. You will fall deeper in love with your husband when you watch him with your new baby. You will marvel at how easy fatherhood comes to him and how much he supports your new little family. Work hard to keep your marriage a priority and the spark alive.

You will be unsure, but it will be humbling. You will worry every day that you aren’t doing things right. You will research sleep habits, milestones and eating tips relentlessly. You will finally reach a point where you realize it doesn’t matter – you are doing the best you can. You will love that little boy more than you ever thought possible and will do everything in your power to make sure he is taken care of. That will be enough.

Your identity will change, but it will be incredible. You will no longer just be a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend…you will become a mother. Knowing that a little life is completely dependent on you is life altering. From the second he is placed in your arms, you will be forever changed for the better.

Hang in there, mama. The first two weeks are the hardest. Trust your gut on what you think is best for your little babe and your family. Accept help when it is offered and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Soak up every single moment because as cliché as it sounds, time really does pass by so quickly. Focus on the little details of his sweet face and the tiny glimpses of his future personality.

This journey will be the most amazing experience. Just wait and see.

Xoxo,

Future Self