A Letter to My Pregnant Self

This week’s Multiples and More Blog Network Question of the Week is:

 

If you could go back in time (think: Marty McFly) and have a chat with your pregnant self, what would you say?

For this week’s question of the week, write a letter to yourself- your newly expecting, have-no-clue-what-you-were-in-for self.

Dear Pregnant Steph,

Aren’t you excited? You’re having twins! Yeah I know, it was such a shock wasn’t it? It’s pretty surreal, right?

But hey you look small! “Are you sure you’re having twins? You don’t LOOK like you’re having twins.” Hehehe, sorry I couldn’t resist throwing that in. I know that the annoying perky pretty girl at work said that to you and you wanted trip her. Way to make a pregnant lady feel like there’s something wrong. But I’m glad that you didn’t trip her. Just get used to it…people will stop thinking before they speak when they’re around you. And it doesn’t stop after the babies come out!

And speaking of the babies coming out…they’ll come out early, at 33 weeks 3 days. Lucky for you, I’m telling you now. They will come out just one week after your maternity leave starts. So I advise you to stop working at 28 weeks instead of 32 as you planned. Just go and get that note from your OB. Because all that overtime you did will not be appreciated. You’ll get paid, by some miracle. But in the end, no one will care. Trust me. Don’t be a goody goody and try to make everyone happy. Don’t sacrifice this time…it’s for yourself to rest and get ready. And you’ll regret not having time to get their nursery ready. They’ll be in their blah room that you won’t have time to decorate. So enjoy your pregnancy…it is probably going to be your last. You won’t look back at your pregnancy and say “Gee I wish I worked more!”

And speaking of decorating, you know you aren’t limited to what’s offered at Babies R Us, right? Check out some design blogs, particularly ones that focus on nursery decor. Start out with Ohdeedoh. You won’t regret it. You’ll love it.

And speaking of blogs, why haven’t you started your own blog yet? Why? Why? Why? I know you’ve thought about it! It would be great to document your pregnancy, not just their childhood. Because you’ll feel that twinge of sadness when you see other blogs with belly pics.

And speaking of belly pics: TAKE MORE OF THEM. Dummy. I wanted to add some to this post but so far I only have the ones from they day of! (And yeah, you were small for having twins, to be honest. Sorry.)

And speaking of your belly…even though you were small, you won’t be able to cut your toenails or tie your shoes or shave your legs after a while. Lo Gung will step up and help you with those things, so don’t worry. He’s your man, so don’t underestimate him. He will carry all three of you over the threshold of your new home when you move in at 30 weeks. Savor each time he cheerfully says “Come on, everybody!” as he pulls your exhausted self up from the couch. Don’t get too mad when he comes home with Japanese food takeout and they forgot your salad. It’s not his fault, and don’t make him feel bad for not going back to the restaurant because it will be pouring and dark. He’ll do what he can for you! But appreciate him, and just ask him to help you.

Speaking of shaving your legs…don’t forget to have Lo Gung do this on a regular basis. As mentioned above, he won’t mind. Remember when you were 16 you were a candy striper at the hospital and you helped discharge patients in the OB ward? Remember how you would lift these new mamas’ feet into the wheelchair footrest and you’d catch a glimpse of their hairy legs? And you said “Like OMG, how could they not shave their legs? They know when they’re going to have their baby soon, so why not prepare in advance? Gross!” Wellllll Sasquatch, you’ll be delivering early so you won’t be prepared in advance. So if you do deliver in a hairy state, then make sure you’re wearing long pants at discharge. Oh okay, this was just a vain thing, not too important.

And speaking of important…listen up. Please don’t be mad at your mom when she gets all squirmy and vague about whether or not she can come to help when the babies arrive. I know it will infuriate you to no end. I know it will boggle your mind. But try to understand. You see, she thinks you don’t really want her help. I know, you flat out said “Mom, I WANT you here. I NEED you here. I’m having TWO babies. I NEED YOUR HELP!” Note: it didn’t help to yell, but I know you’re just upset about it. But anyways, even though you flat out told her this, she’s still not sure. One reason may be as old as your ancestors: She doesn’t think you belong to her anymore. Remember that one story from The Joy Luck Club? She’d rather reject you than be rejected. The other reason is that you didn’t ask her to help much during your wedding. Hello, she lived in the midwest at the time, right? But she was still hurt. And the other thing is, she doesn’t want to abandon your niece and nephew, for whom she’s been caring for the last several years. But don’t worry, she will come around later and you’ll both figure out a way. And while she’ll drive you insane and a half, she will be the best help, the best supporter of you, and your biggest cheerleader when you become a mom. Don’t worry, she will be there for you.

And speaking of “don’t worry”, which I’ve said several times in this letter to you….everything will be fine. And somehow you will know this. When the girls come out early and are in the NICU for 3 weeks, you will feel a peace that to this day you will not understand, except that it must have been Jesus carrying the load for you. It’s funny, you won’t recall actually asking Him to do it. That’s how you are…you forget to ask Him to help and lean on him, but He was right there the whole time. Don’t forget to thank Him everyday for what He has done for you, and what He will be doing for you in the future.

With much love,

Post-Pregnant Steph

PS You’ll be doing a lot of pumping, so read the book Exclusively Pumping Breastmilk now while you have the time!