Growing Baby Shelton: A letter to a slightly younger, pregnant me...

I've seen these letters all over the place...commercials, youtube, magazines, and most recently: here.

I would have LOVED to have read this letter when I got my BFP (big FAT positive) pregnancy test! As we all know, I was completely hysterical - crying, screaming, the whole bit! Knowing a few of these things would've been so very helpful in calming my crazed self on that life changing day, that took place a whole year ago today. (happy BFP day to me!)

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Dear Tay,

Take a deep breath. If you're reading this, it means you just took a pregnancy test for no reason whatsoever, and got a completely unexpected result. BREATHE. You do not need to be scared. This is your slightly older, mom-self. You should know a few things before you start hyperventilating....

You are growing a human. A real live human. It is amazing, crazy, and BEAUTIFUL. One day you will be laying on your dirty old couch next to a little baby, and she will be all yours.

You are going to love being a mom. You will love this baby more than anything or anyone before, more than your own life. More than cake even. You may not have planned this, but it was meant to be, she was meant to be. This is God's plan. Right now it seems like your life is over, but this really is a blessing in disguise.

Try not to consume crazy amounts of chocolate and ginger ale over the next 9 months, your ass will thank you later. Who knows...maybe you'll be able to prevent a few of these 55 stretch marks.

Save yourself some time, and start looking for a part time job now - because you are going to hate being a working momma. All those glorious plans of going back to work will not be as easy peasy as you're making them out to be.

Changing a diaper is a lot less complicated than you're imagining.

Mom and Dad will both be absolutely thrilled with the news, so stop being scared! This is what married people do, they make babies! LOTS of babies!

Research your stroller and breast pump choices a little more thoroughly, you're trunk and boobs will appreciate the consideration.

Finish the damn house before that little baby arrives! I know telling you this is useless, but, hey, it's worth a shot. And, by the way, that tile shower Casey wants to do is a huge mistake!

And on that note, spend some quality time with Casey. Enjoy this time alone, because it'll be approximately 4 months and 11 days before your first "date night".

You think you're busy now, but in the next nine months or so, you will be exponentially more busy than you ever imagined possible. Like dirty dishes in the sink for days busy.

Everything happens for a reason. There is no use in fighting or stressing, just embrace the journey you are about to embark on. In one year exactly, you will have this: