Note to Andy...

To my husband after we’ve had a baby,

It was impossible for us to know what any of this would be like. We went into labor as delivery rookies, relying on our childbirth classes and Google for our limited knowledge.

You calmed my nerves and held my hand through every contraction. You held us through the scary parts and ugly-cried as we met our baby girl for the first time. You told me how proud you were of me and you helped me with everything in the tough days after when I felt like my strength had left me.

So here we are now, with Natalie, almost 5 months old, who looks nothing like you (LOL), and you still tell me how proud you are of me. Of us. Of our little family. Day in and day out, you tell me how beautiful I am even when my hair is dirty for 5 days. You turn your head when I eat five cookies and a bag of chips with a tub of ice cream. You never protest when I tell you I need bubbletea and to walk around T&T for a couple hours. Never speak a word of my mood swings. Never flip out when I’m crying for no reason. You listen to me. You help make the major changes not seem so major. You take me out because you know we need time outside of home. Even if it was just a two-hour errand to Walmart, so we can hold hands.

You love me just the same. No, you love me more. You carefully push me to be the best version of myself.

Some days are hard, and some nights we don’t get much sleep, especially during her growth spurts. Some days I don’t get a shower and I walk around for hours with dried milk all over me. You never complain when I pass her to you with a dirty diaper the second you walk in the door so I can pee. You change basically all the diapers and wash all her bottles. You sleep extra late and wake up extra early to take care of Rex because you don’t want me to have to worry with it.

And so I thank you.

For telling me I’m a good mom. For loving me. No matter what I look like or how I feel. Thank you for always thinking I am the prettiest. The best. The sexiest. Even when I have a double pump action thing going on hanging off my boobs.

I am going to work hard on loving myself the way that you love me because the way you love me is the greatest way of all. I love being your wife, and I love doing this parenting thing with you. I love you so much. Thank you for everything.

Always,
Wife