To my future self, re: kids, remember.

Dear future Megan,

Remember looking at that positive test. The joy?

You do good during pregnancy. You are one of the blessed few who doesn't get morning sickness. You actually gain weight in the first trimester. Up until the baby starts pushing on your bladder and making it hard to put socks or shoes on, or hard to breathe, you're golden. You're tired though. Real tired. Imagine the exhaustion while pregnant with two children running around. You'd pull through.

Remember the first time hearing that quick little heartbeat. The ultrasounds? The good news, and bad news. Remember the feeling of finding out the gender? Remember sharing it with your husband. His joy. How about picking out names? That's always hard, and fun. Remember the baby showers? Getting ready for baby's arrival. Washing and folding the tiniest and cutest clothes a human could ever wear.

Remember the anxiety leading up to birth, it's scary man. But remember?... God was with you and He helped you through it.

Remember those contractions. Those ones right near the end. The death grip on the hospital bed rails, your husband's hands. But remember?...It was over so quickly. So quickly.

Remember the urge to push, and how intense it was. Remember?...It was fantastic.

Look up, you remember seeing that baby come out. Remember the holding? The warmth. The relief. The presence of God. You did it. And just like that, it's over.

And you're home. Recovering. With you're new baby.

Remember the learning to breastfeed, both of you. Remember?...that special, unique bond?

Remember the first week home. The (literally) painful sleepless nights. But remember?...Everyday is a new day, a new accomplishment.

Remember adjusting to having two children. Splitting your time. Missing the time with your older one(s). Remember?...There's always a way to make it work. Be patient.

Oh, remember. The smell. That sweet, clean, milky, new baby smell. Remember how quickly they grow and change.

Remember, a baby doesn't last long. Shortly after - you have a child not a baby, in school. Learning to take on this world all on their own. Remember the little attitudes. The not-listening, the whining. The children all crying at once(!!). Remember laughing at it though? Remember your lack of patience. Remember, you have no idea what their teenage years will be like. One day when you're about to make a very big decision, and you can't think clearly, come here. The good, the bad, the ugly. You know what I mean. Talk to God and just pray. He will guide you, He'll let you know whether it's the right decision or not. He's always in control, He knows. Trust Him.

But just remember. The love. That multitude of love.