If I Could Write A Letter To Myself Before September 15th

Dear Before Kids Carly,

Your world is about to be turned upside down.  I know that you think that you are ready for this, I know that you think that you're prepared, but you're not.  It's okay, I  promise you're going to be fine.  You're about to experience something so wonderful, so amazing, so life altering that no amount of preparations would have done it justice.

 You are going to have to learn to wake up repeatedly in the night.  You are going to learn how the crook in you arm was made so that a small baby could sleep in it just so.   You are really going to have to learn to be okay with all sorts of bodily fluids and you will.  Trust me, by the time you get to number three it won't be a big deal at all.  Adult conversations are going to  be rare, but you are going to be a pro at chatting about things like baby food, diaper brands, and pediatrician well visits.  You won't remember the last thick book you read, but you will be able to quote "Goodnight Moon" and "Where the Wild Things Are."  Listen, if they ask you to read it again and again, just do it, even if you have read it 12 nights in a row. You won't get to read to them forever.
 You need to get that lack of patience in check, because girl, you are going to need it.  I am here to tell you that yelling doesn't work, a gentle, loving but firm voice does.

About you're little girl.  Your first one.  She's a lot like you, but don't you forget that she's not you.  You loosen your reigns and let her be the one and only Liberty Rose that God made her to be.  You'll see, she is going open wide the windows of your heart and fill them with this amazing brand of love that you didn't know existed.  She's going to make you a Mommy and there will be no going back after that. You'll be hooked.   She will be just what you always imagined your little girl to be and so much more.  She'll twirl on her tip toes and laugh like a song.  She will be wild and free, just like her name.  

 You are going get a surprise.  His name is Cooper.  Right when you thought your love tank was full, he is going to come along and over-flow it.  He's going to look at you and lock eyes when ever he can.  He's going to want to sleep with you every night. Just let him. Don't worry if every other baby in the world is sleeping on their own.  He needs you.  You're his safe place and not everybody gets to be someone's safe place.  By the time he reaches his first birthday he'll be sleeping (almost) through the night in his own bed.  He's going to melt you, you'll be done for, no other little boy will ever compare to yours.

Hold them, all three, whenever you can because before you know it they will be too big to hold.  Memorize the folds in their chubby baby hands, remember how sweet tiny feet are (preferably with a bit of dirt on them to show how well they have been playing.)
Write down as much as you can to help you remember how precious small they were.
Have fun with them.  Leave the laundry, read a book to them.  The dishes don't matter, cuddling at bed time does.  Take them to the library, the park and the beach.
Pray for them.  Their lives are not yours, they belong to God.  He sent them to you so that you could know a little bit more of what His love for you looks like.  Your job is to point them towards Him.
Time flies by, and before you know it you'll be up past 1 am wondering what happened to it.  Cherish this time with them.
Celebrate birthdays and trying new things.
Hug them.
Kiss them.
Laugh a lot.
Tell them that they are brave and strong.  Tell them they can do it, you know they can!
Tell yourself you can do it, I know you can.  You are brave and strong.
Take a deep breath, you are going to love being Mommy.

Love, Six Years Later Carly

P.S.  They love to dance, all three, so when dinner isn't ready yet and they are all crying turn up some music and dance

photo credit http://erinammonsphotography.com/