Today, would be a Great Day, for a Birth Day.

I have friends in AZ, who are pregnant.
I have a feeling, one of those friends is days, if not hours away from being a Mommy.
Because, I have like 14 children, I thought that must make me an expert.
Therefore, I would like to offer a little advice.

Do not Forget Too....:

1. Smell the baby. Smell everything. Her fresh out of the bath, Baby Magic. His breath, the top of his baby head. Her sweat, while she sleeps. Absorb that smell. Memorize it and tuck it away forever. Because, in one blink, they will smell like a big boy.

2. Perfect your swaddle. Tink was so tiny, we could swaddle her into a little Glo-worm. Soon, they will have legs and arms and sassy mouths coming from all directions. Enjoy, the ability to snuggle them into a little, quiet ball.



3. Always, buy extra wet wipes. You have no idea, how often and in how many locations and/or body parts, you will need them. Trust me.

4. Try not, to refer to yourself as 'Mommy' to your infant, in public, too often. For some reason, that annoys me.

5. Very shortly, after you give birth. After all the well-wishers and nurses have left. When your husband falls asleep, or runs an errand. Take a moment. To look at your baby and congratulate yourself. You grew a life. You made someone, that was not. You created, this beautiful, perfect little human. That, most definitely, deserves a Pat on the Back.
Especially, because shortly after, you will inevitably, do something to screw them up!



6. Nap with your baby. While, I am not a huge advocate of Co-sleeping, I do believe you should nap together. Snuggle them up on your chest, with their soft baby hair against your chin and breathe them in while you nap. You may not be completely rested, but it will absolutely, be the best sleep of your life.

7. Smile at your baby. Even if, your nursing chest is killing you. You haven't showered. You are so tired, you can barely focus. Your husband breathes funny and annoys you. Your house is a disaster and your mind is mush. If your infant, focuses her blurry eyes on her Mom. Smile. As if she is the most amazing site you have ever seen. Because, she really is.

8. Shower with your baby. The noise and warmth will soothe him. And his sweet, relaxed face, will be the perfect distraction from your post-pregnancy body.



9. Chew on their Chub. The fattie, back of their arm. The rolls on her thighs. His big, round belly. If possible, just take bites out of their full cheeks. When they turn 8, they are skin and bones. There is nothing left to chew on. Even if there was, it would be pretty inappropriate, at that age.

10. Last... take pictures, video, fill the baby books and memorize everything. Because, this very week, you may hold your teeny, tiny newborn. And just like that, she will celebrate her birthday. Sign up for pre-school. Learn to write cursive and (ChoKe uP!) graduate from High School (Sorry Flag girl). And then, you won't be able to smell their baby breath, or take naps with them, or blow raspberries, on their belly.

Well, again...
I suppose, you could.
But it would be extremely embarrassing, inappropriate and possibly illegal.

Therefore, enjoy every single second...while you can.

Congratulations, A ...on becoming a Mother.

Maybe, it will be today.


**Because, today would be a great day for a Birthday...
wouldn't it, Somebody?