I’m 34 weeks pregnant with our third baby. It feels like only yesterday when I gave birth to my first baby. And it probably feels that way because it wasn’t even three years ago when I became a mom.
My daughter is almost three and my son is 20 months. I earned my two under two mom badge, and came real close to having three under three. Life has been a whirlwind. But, that’s just the way we live our lives. Remind me to tell you about how my husband and I met online and married all in one year!
I’m sitting here in an awkward, uncomfortable, third trimester position to write a reminder to my husband and myself.
The idea came to me after our sleepy conversation the other night. Most of our communication these days happens in that weird half-asleep/half-awake state.
Pregnant Wife: “I’m in the home stretch here, babe…”
Awesome Husband: “Yeah, it’s crazy.”
Pregnant Wife: “I’m ready for it. I’m excited to have another baby and see his little face.”
Awesome Husband: “Me too. Well, I’m ready for some things. I’m not ready for the newborn stage.”
Pregnant Wife: Too tired to respond, but thinking about how the newborn stage is super easy, because babies just nurse and sleep. And you can wear them in a wrap while roaming the aisles of Target and sipping Starbucks.
After my morning coffee kicked in the next day, I remembered our late night chat. All of the memories from the newborn stage floated around in my head like a vaguely familiar sleepy conversation .
Those first few months of becoming a mom were really rough. And I get tired just thinking about that two under two life. Hey, most days I feel overwhelmed momming with two toddlers. And that brings me to what I want to tell my husband.
Dear Awesome Husband,
Please remember that I will be exhausted, hormonal, and overwhelmed when we become a family of five. I won’t tell you when I’m feeling all the feels. And I will probably take it out on you, even though I will hate myself for it later. But since this isn’t our first rodeo, let’s try to remember that life and emotions eventually settle down. We will find our new rhythm with three kids. I promise.
And here’s what I want us to remember when we bring that new baby home from the hospital.
Every season, every stage, and every age has challenges. It’s all hard in one way or another. But it’s our privilege, too. Let’s remind each other to enjoy the good stuff in the early months. And enjoying the good stuff is an intentional decision. I want to be more intentional this year.
Instead of passing out on the couch at night watching T.V., let’s take the new baby upstairs and snuggle him! (Yes, we can watch Netflix on the upstairs T.V. after baby snuggles.)
Let’s take pictures of him every night like we did with our firstborn. And please help me to remember those cute monthly photos. I’ll pick the outfit; you take the picture!
Can you remind me to enjoy our kids more? You know like how you play so good with them after you get home from work while I decompress and make dinner? Let’s order take out every Friday and I’ll join in the play time upstairs.
Lastly, I want to remind you that when the crying and screaming is coming at us from all different directions, don’t forget to look at me. I may be crying too, but this is our life. This is our privilege. This is us. And I love us!
Love,
Your Very Pregnant Wife
