Advice for Pregnant Self Before Baby #2

Advice I'd give my pregnant self before baby #2. Okay, I don't think I've ever done a talking video before so I thought this would be the perfect time. see the end of the day I am winding down and I'm doing my skincare and hair together. So let's get ready together. I am five months postpartum with my second baby and I just wanted to share some advice I give my pregnant self before becoming a mom of two. First thing I would tell myself would be expecting postpartum recovery to look anything like the first. I went into it thinking that I knew what to expect but every pregnancy, every baby, and every recovery is different. So try not to compare yourself to what happened the first time around. I felt like I recovered much quicker with my first daughter, my second. I felt very exhausted and sometimes very overwhelmed. Of course, you know, having a toddler doesn't make it easier, but don't think that it's going to be exactly the same because the truth is completely different. Second, let go of the pressure to do it all. Your house is not going to be spotless every single day. The laundry is going to keep piling up. Dinner is not gonna always be homemade, sometimes it's gonna be delivery. And that's okay because in that moment in time, right now, both your kids or however many kids you have, they need a present mom. They don't need a perfect house or anything like that. So speaking of deliveries, another thing I wish I would have learned sooner is using convenience isn't something to feel guilty about. By grocery deliveries, frozen meals, meal services, ordering things online, even Miss Rachel or a toddler take care of your baby, feed your baby in peace. Those are tools that I personally think everyone should utilize. Moms of course, they're there to make your life easier. I have every delivery service under the sun right now. Target, Walmart, Amazon, um, I think that's it. And it truly does make my life easier. I don't have to think twice and have to go crazy thinking about what I need to think or get in the car to go get. It just makes everything a lot easier. Have an older toddler, um, let them help with the baby whenever you can. It doesn't have to be anything big. Like my toddler loves bringing me diapers, picking out an outfit, and it makes them feel included and honestly, it makes things a little bit easier too. I taught my toddler where the baby's onesies are. So I give her the liberty of choosing the baby's outfit. Sometimes she looks a little crazy, but that's okay because my toddler feels included and makes some very nice memories. And it's actually super, super cute. One's gonna sound impossible, but you do have to take care of yourself too. And I know it's easier said than done. Even if it's just like styling your hair, taking a shower, doing some skincare, taking a short little workout. These moments really do make a difference in your mental health. And it's something that you deserve. You also have to remember to give yourself grace. You're not just getting to know a new baby, even though you've done it before, actually going from one to two kids is a huge adjustment. Your time is going to change, everything you think you've done and known before is going to change. A huge adjustment, but it's okay to take your time and to find your rhythm. Everything is going to be okay at the end. Anyway, those are just a few of the things I've been thinking about lately and it's funny because motherhood has such a way of humbling you, no matter how many kids you have, I feel like I'm learning something new every day. And like I said, I'm only five months postpartum, only five months into this. So I definitely don't have all the answers. And these are just some of the things that have helped me through this season of motherhood, but I do hope that it helps someone else too.