I am at that point in pregnancy.....
....the point where you are so beyond uncomfortable you can't imagine ever being comfortable again.
....the point where you and your husband have a good laugh in the bathroom one night while washing your faces that your big loose pajama shirt no longer fits over your huge stomach, sure enough there is that belly poking it's way out.
....most importantly the point in pregnancy when you lay awake at night searching in vain for that comfy spot on your left side that surely must be there, but somehow you have missed it during all three of your pregnancies. Back sleeping oh how I miss you!
So what do I do during these times of sleeplessness? Well first I go check on my sleeping children, like any mother does at three in the morning. Sometimes I sit beside their beds and imagine what our lives will be like in just 8 short weeks. I imagine the good and the not so good that comes with a newborn in the house.
Don't misinterpret what I am about to say here I love newborns there is something about that sweet cuddly stage that is wonderful. But sometimes it is so much easier to appreciate when that newborn is not yours, and you are not feeling so tired, frumpy and hormonal all the time.
I think back to my two previous newborn stages and while it is so wonderful having that sweet little infant in your arms, there is a lot of hard nights and tired days ahead of you at the same time. I thought writing this down now before the little miss arrives will help me at those 3 am feedings when little eyes are wide awake looking like they are ready to play the night away.
SO.....DEAR SELF,
1. This phase shall too pass. Just like Lance's phase of Toy Story love, Luke's phase of pulling his diaper off, the phase of hating cheese, of calling sippy "pippy", of only wearing croc shoes, of hating Sunbeams and being terrified to go. All of these phases have come and gone and just as surely as 3 am feedings are coming they will also be gone before I know it. One night that infant will sleep straight through and I will miss those tiny eyes searching mine alone in the night.
2. The only thing worse than pregnancy baby weight is post pregnancy baby weight. You look at your tiny newborn looking so cute and sweet and then look in the mirror at their mother and think what in the world, you are so not attractive right now. The only thing that fits is your maternity clothing, wet shower hair is the best you can hope for, makeup if you are lucky and cute magazines just keep popping up in the mail reminding you of how much you would love your old size back with a new shirt to feel good about yourself. It will come a few things to remember at this time:
a. Treadmill, make it your new best friend, you have a very willing husband who loves to help with the children. Set a time for yourself daily and don't let yourself off the hook. You will feel so much better about life, more energy, more happiness, get to work!
b. Put that cookie down, you don't need it. Mindless munching is not at all helpful, sure that cookie is good for that second but later on you will just feel sorry that you did so poorly that day. Eat an apple!
c. You have a cute newborn if nothing else she will make up for your not so good looking self at the moment. Really who will be looking at you, most friends and family will just be oohing and aahing over that cute little girl, and not caring if you have 20 pounds still too lose.
3. Your days and nights will not always feel like one big never ending endless frame of time. 8:00 pm will roll around someday and be yours again to do with what you please. One day you will feel like a whole person again and and not some walking zombie.
4. And this one might just be the most important be nice to your husband. It's not Eric's fault you feel like an upside down version of yourself. Be nice to him even when that sweet girl wakes up for the third time in one night and he not so gently gives you shove to roll yourself out of bed yet again to go feed her, after all what can he do you are nursing. Remind yourself how quick he is to take that infant and hold them for hours on end when they have their days and nights confused. Remind yourself how willing he is to wake up with the boys to make them their waffles. Remind yourself you need him to take Lance and quite possbily Luke as well to school in the morning. So when he gently shoves you give him a kiss and get on out of that bed (okay even I admit that kiss might be a little far fetched). Better yet just don't sock him one.
5. Remember how long you have dreamed of this moment a full term pregnancy with the joy of bringing a baby straight home from the hospital. The way that cute little baby pulls up their little legs and throws out those arms in a morning stretch. The rooting mouth in the middle of the night just searching for that nourishment only you as their mother can provide. The love in your heart the moment that little one is placed in your arms. The joy of watching your older children interact, love and bring someone new into their lives. Remember a year or two from now that ache will hit again of holding that little newborn in your arms, and you will wonder where in the world the time went and how these babies all of a sudden are no longer babies.
From Jenny
These are not really the pictures being featured in her salon, they will be more geared towards her hair and not her beautiful face. But I couldn't help myself I just kept snapping the camera how can I not be completely enamored by my little niece. She is a beauty Ash.....I love you Elle's Bells!
