Dear Self

by Veronica on August 8, 2008

in Life

Shamelessy Sassy has just written a letter to herself at 18 and I am shamelessly stealing her idea. (She won’t mind).

Dear 18 Year Old Self,

You need to remember that Vitamin E cream is probably the best thing for your episiotomy scar. I know that you gave birth 10 weeks ago, but by my count you will probably spend the next 3 weeks in a good amount of pain. Also, buy Nathan some porn and a box of tissues, because sex is going to be painful (and boring because your libido has run away with the fairies) for at least another 6 months.

I want you to try really really hard to not get uptight about trying to conceive another baby. Trust me, it does happen eventually, although not without alot of stressing on your behalf. Maybe just lay back, take it easy and grab as many orgasms as you can in the meantime.

You daughter doesn’t sleep. Don’t worry, she won’t sleep ever. I still know exactly how you feel, athough giving a 10 week old a boob is much easier than having to reason with an almost 2 year old about WHY it is still night time. Revel in the silence giving boobs.

Shortly you will move closer to your parents. Don’t give yourself any ideas about days without a baby attached to you though, you still have another 10 months before she will consent to leave your presence without a meltdown. I know colic/clinginess/general amyiness is hard but just power through it, because eventually? Amy does turn into a pretty easy going toddler.

[Then she loses that easy goingness to the toddler terrors of two, but hey, we don’t need to scare you yet]

As much as you don’t sleep (and never will) and feel like you have no time for yourself, don’t worry. You do end being happy. You also don’t strangle Nathan at any point, despite the both of you having trying moments. Eventually he realises that staying home with a baby is hard work. Eventually.

Also, please remember to do your damn pelvic floor exersises. Having to remember them when you already have a baby in utero grinding on your bladder is not the best thing. Clench and HOLD. Clench and HOLD. Repeat 10 times an hour at least. Remind yourself that this will make things better later. You really don’t want to have to get up to pee 10 times a night [although, so far I have managed to avoid peeing on myself].

Take it easy. Lay in the sun. Take time out for yourself. Even 5 minutes will leave you feeling less murderous towards other people who don’t have a baby attached to their front 24/7.

AND… if you really loved me you would buy a large stash of chocolate. At least enough to keep us busy for 3 years. Save it up or something, because nowadays? We don’t live so close to the supermarket, petrol is fucking expensive and I just ran out of the last of my stash. If you could do that for me?

Lovely.

Love, Me.

[***Also, I just noticed and HAD to point out, it is the 8.8.08 today and this post? It’s permalink is #888. Loving the coincidence]

lceel August 8, 2008 at 9:17 pm

The more I’m out here in bloggy land, the more I learn about women, because 95% of the 70 or so blogs I read every day are women – and almost all of them are Mommy bloggers. The more I learn about women, the more amazed I am by you. I wonder if Nathan has ANY idea how incredibly lucky he is?

You are truly, and I mean this in the best possible way, one of a kind.

lceels last blog post..Haiku Friday and stuff

Jenni August 8, 2008 at 10:05 pm

Great letter, Veronica. This could actually be a letter to almost any new post partum mom. Lots of gems of wisom in there. Particularly the part about the kegals.

Jennis last blog post..Phobia Friday: I Ain’t Afraid of no Ghosts

Memarie Lane August 8, 2008 at 11:20 pm

Spooky. Is it coincidence or destiny?

Memarie Lanes last blog post..Donuts and Death

Burgh Baby August 8, 2008 at 11:34 pm

What’s this “sleep” you speak of?

Burgh Babys last blog post..Just One of the Days I Want to Keep Forever

Suzie August 8, 2008 at 11:47 pm

You are so damn right about the pelvic floor excersize. I ahd no idea you were so young and very mature I might add.

Suzies last blog post..Happy Birthday Dear Suzie

Leigh August 8, 2008 at 11:59 pm

that is so funny! Maybe right one to yourself in 10 years as well.

Leighs last blog post..i’m sleeping

Taz August 9, 2008 at 12:29 am

hehe..

enjoyed it..

yeh i hate peeing more than normal.. sucks ass..

i am so sick of being so tired.. heh

Ree August 9, 2008 at 1:37 am

I don’t think I can even remember when I was 18.

Xbox4NappyRash August 9, 2008 at 3:00 am

I echo Iceel, but in a more manly man way ;0)

Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..Up periscope

Marylin August 9, 2008 at 5:03 am

Pelvic floor? Mine buggered off years ago! 😉

Awesome letter!

Marylins last blog post..Hai, I’m TRYIN to sleep!!

Kori August 9, 2008 at 8:46 am

Your letter is a lot funnier than mine! 🙂 I loved the bit about the silence giving boobs (totally related to that one) and the request for chocolate. This is the first time I have been here, and I will be back!

Koris last blog post..Letter to Myself at 18

Kat August 9, 2008 at 10:25 am

I’m doing my kegel’s right NOW! (pelvic floor exercises) You have inspired me, all the way from the morning side of the planet (at the moment)to clench my vaginal muscles. How’s that for having an impact on the world?

Kats last blog post..Bye-bye pee pee! Ai La Loo Too!

river August 9, 2008 at 6:44 pm

If you HAD actually written that when you were 18 you might not now be lamenting the lack of chocolate….

Jenn August 10, 2008 at 1:40 am

That’s cool about the 8’s ! How are you feeling now ?

tiff August 10, 2008 at 6:55 pm

oooh, no chocolate stash, on the 8/8/08 I want to know, how did you go on?

tiffs last blog post..Weekly Winners.

Kelley August 10, 2008 at 7:19 pm

Imagine if you could have written a letter to your mum at 18 telling her to get large shares in Cadbury… girl, you would be SWIMMING IN CHOCOLATE!

Kelleys last blog post..if money was no object

Mrs. C August 10, 2008 at 8:48 pm

Oh, my letter to myself at 18 would be too easy: You became everything you never said you would. You’re fat and you’ve lost your patience with your kids. LOL

Mrs. Cs last blog post..Please Visit Elf.

Taz August 11, 2008 at 5:48 am

i am basically a day behind.. lol..

but 42 weeks old and weekly winners no 7 is up.. hehe..

i am doing ok.. very tired.. poor little Maddi had 3 teeth come thru at once.. so gave me some sleepless nights.. but we are doing ok now..

they think i might have gestational diabetes.. YAY.. (not)..

thinking of you.. 🙂

hows you, family and bump doing?

are you still only feeling flutters? i am..

baby is already 29 weeks in size but i am 23 weeks along in pregnancy..

/sigh

Tazs last blog post..Weekly Winners.. no. 7.

Jayne August 11, 2008 at 11:41 am

LOL Love the letter, it’s all oh so true.

Jaynes last blog post..Trivial History August 11

Leslie August 11, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Veronica, you are hilarious. I love the letter.

Hope you’re feeling good!

Leslies last blog post..New And Improved! With Eyebrows!

Country Girl August 12, 2008 at 8:22 am

I’m not ready to write a letter to myself, not just yet.

Good idea though, I often tell myself things to make me feel better when no one else does.

Hope you’re feeling better now. How is your nan?

maiden53 August 12, 2008 at 8:32 am

Hey V~ I hope you are ok. I miss your posts. I am thinking of you and hoping that your life is not too stressful – if it is, I am very sorry. And wish I were closer so that I could help out.

Hyphen Mama August 14, 2008 at 2:22 am

Wow… I think my letter to myself would be really long. With lots of “and go ahead and sleep with _________” because when you’re old and married, you’ll wish you had!

Great post!

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