I know you think the hard part is over and it will be smooth sailing, but think again. I'm only four years ahead of you, but oh my the things you have learned and would do over if you could. These are all things you will learn once your babies (plural) — yip, you read that right — your TWINS arrive! How's that for a bombshell?
Jay is ecstatic. You aren't. It scares you so much. But you know what, that's okay! It's okay to be scared. Let yourself feel as bottling all those emotions up will cause havoc and will lead you on the slippery slope to postnatal depression.
Talking is good. You usually are so vocal about everything and anything, so please use your voice and speak up. You're one of the first to be a mum amongst your friends — they don't know what you are going through and aren't mind readers. They won't understand or try to unless you tell them.
Vomiting sucks — don't get your hopes up that the Hyperemesis Gravidarum will fade by 12 weeks like everyone says. Spoiler alert ... it doesn't.
Pre-term babies are tiny, and it's so tough not being able to hold them and take them home right away. Bonding will be hard, I think because you were so ill and those little babies were the ones making you that way is what starts the first on set of WTF feelings.
Then when they arrive they are locked away in plastic incubators, it makes you feel very removed from the becoming a mother. I know you will try to fake it till you make it but you will learn that not falling head over heels in love with your children the moment you lock eyes on them is actually normal.
You have only heard the good stories, but how you are feeling happens to millions of women too. It will happen — it will just be a slow burn and that's okay!
Because when it does it will mean even that much more to you. You will love them fiercely.
Friendships change and evolve, some people are there for you all the time and others aren't. Don't be offended when you feel a little left out, your friends are adjusting to your new role too and you will all find your feet. You have amazing friends and they are friendships that will last a lifetime.
Your relationship with your husband will evolve big time. You will realise how much strength you find in one another and become a next level team in your new reality. I know you are scared of how it will affect things but you guys nail it.
If cracks were going to show it would show during that first year, but they don't. I know you have a lot of stuff on your mind and that constant stress of how it will change your relationship isn't fun, thinking about finding time for one another, not bickering over small things when you are sleep deprived and *cough cough* Jay missing fun time in the bedroom, but it will all go back to normal, eventually.
Your babies sadly won't be those babies you daydreamed about laying on the couch with, having naps together, taking long walks in a pram with. They both have reflux and colic and spend a hell of lot of time crying.
It's soul breaking to hear babies cry that much, you know they are in pain but you still feel anger towards that constant sound of it and that in turn makes you feel guilty. It's a merry go round of feelings.
You truck along like everything is okay for far too long, that's because you are tough. But give it up girl, you don't need to "tough" it out. Give in and sort your own mental health out, because as soon as you respect yourself and seek help things will start to get better.
Remember, it's okay to not be okay! Repeat that with me Anna, it needs to be your mantra for a little while.
Finally, you will change but you are still you. You just add a whole new wonderful part to your soul. It adds to you instead of takes away from you. You're battling with feeling "like yourself again" after dealing with anxiety and situational depression, but you do a great job of taking "you" time and not losing yourself in motherhood. Bravo! Don't feel guilty about it. That time seriously makes you a better mother.
Expectations versus reality aren't going to match up. But reality ends up being perfect anyway, your parenting journey makes you so strong. Be proud of your journey, learn to grieve and then move on from what you thought it was going to be like, as wishing you had it different takes your mind away from what is happening right in front of you.
Those babies are growing up so fast. So relish them! You are an incredible mother and you need to tell yourself that more often. Well done mama, I'm proud of you.
