Advice for my Very Good, Very Pregnant Friend

Oh, how I wish I could see you now. When you called me the other day complaining about not sleeping well. It all brought awful and wonderful memories back. Well, I guess that is just very fitting because that is exactly how being pregnant feels... awful and uncomfortable and magical and wonderful all at the same time.

Well, this is not going to be a list of what to do or when to do it once the baby comes. I am sure absolutely everyone you know and many people you don't know will give you unsolicited advice on the subject of the new little baby. I am sure at some point I will too and for that I apologize beforehand.

I just want to warn you on how your life will change and how to survive all the madness...

Well, you should forget about all the political books you love for a while. "What to Expect the First year" and "How to train your Baby to Sleep through the Night" will be your favorite titles. Whoever said that there should be a course on parenting before one becomes a parent was right. Instead we are all simply trying to play catch up after the fact.

You have always been very fashion oriented and that should not change. Just be aware that baby vomit will be hard to get out from your designer clothes.

Selfishly speaking, I have personally found 2 great things about being a mother... one is that if you were always late to everything, now you have a good excuse. "I had to change the baby at the last minute", "he wouldn't wake up from his nap", etc. Half of the time it will be true, but it comes in handy for the other half.
The second great thing is that you can blame your child (when they are a little older) for the house being a mess or for the ice cream being gone or (my personal favorite) "the kids are dying to go to that Japanese restaurant".

At any rate, the most important thing is to have a sense of humor about whatever comes. It will be up to you if all the little "challenges" are tragedies or comedies. I suggest the latter.

So, please remember that your baby is already loved by many people and that, maybe, some times we will all ask how you or your husband are doing (but don't expect it often ;)) Enjoy your last month of having a good excuse for eating ice cream at 3 a.m., rest as much as you can and hold on tight. It will be the most amazing ride!

All my love,

Paola

What I know about marriage, after 12 years!

The one thing I know about marriage and actually, it very well may be, the only thing I know about it, is that love matters.

You can have real high highs and pretty low lows in your relationship. There have been instances when I have wanted to throw plates into my better half's face. We argue a lot! What makes me the angriest is that if you would ask him, he would tell you that we almost never fight. That is so frustrating to have a fight with someone that is not even aware that World War 3 is brewing in his very own living room and that he was the one who started it. I do not understand why he does not realize that our life would be smooth sailing if he accepted that I am always right. It shouldn't be that difficult since it is true. Isn't it? ;)

In any case, we are no better and no worse than any other couple. The culture difference might make things a little more interesting, but at the end of the day the reason why we keep going strong is because if there is something not lacking in our relationship, it is love. I love that man so much and he has confessed that against his better judgement, he loves me too.

So, even if he is stubborn like a mule, moody and inflexible, he is a keeper. I hope he feels the same way about me even though I am mmm, wait a minute... ehhh, (I am trying to think of some of my flaws and nothing comes to mind). LOL

Now, for real (like my daughter would say), I married Patrick 12 years ago and I thank God for each one of them and pray that he will grant me many other dozens of years by his side. Happy Anniversary Schatz! Te amo!