2 Royals Under 2: Welcome Kate to the 2 under 2 club

WARNING: This is not a duchess-bashing post

So Kate and William gave birth to their second royal less than a week ago. I feel a special connection to the gorgeous Kate Middleton because I have been pregnant with Kate not once, but twice. And, like Kate, I had son in 2013 and a daughter in 2015. AND I was also totally beautiful 10 hours after giving birth (cue laugh track please). So obviously, we are twins and soul sisters.

Kate, if you are reading this, want to have tea sometime? By "tea" I really mean coffee, because I'm an American and we dumped all our tea off some dock like 200-ish years ago.

I've been thinking about our dear duchess this week as she embarks on her journey as a mom of two under two. I've been hearing a lot of criticism over this new mom of two, demeaning her experience as a mother because she is a duchess and has a lot of help. Heaven forbid she look gorgeous 10 hours after giving birth (I highly doubt she was the one who called in the glam squad). Heaven forbid she have help from nannies and midwives. 

Even with all the help from nannies, midwives, family and Will (let's be honest, he is a totally involved baby-daddy and we love him for it), she is still a mother of two tiny humans under two years old. She still has a 21 month old who doesn't understand why his mom is holding a new little alien. She is still sleep deprived. Milk still leaks over her royal sheets as her breasts adjust to milk production for her little princess. 

Let's be honest, the hard part about having 2 under 2 is not changing diapers and meeting basic needs (things other people can do). The hard part about having more than one babe, is prioritizing your time between them. The hard part is listening to one cry because they want you while you tend to the little person that needs you. The hard part is not being able to explain that the other needs you and that's why you can't sit and read books right now even though there is nothing else you'd rather do. The hard part is coping with the postpartum hormones paired with the sleep deprivation. The hard part is having your heart bursting with so much love but not having enough hours in a day to share it with each royal babe.

Dear Beautiful, strong and kind Kate,

I'm thinking of you as you feed sweet Charlotte while George is crying at your feet begging for your attention. I'm thinking of you as you are tired and want to sleep, but instead skip your nap to play "choo choo" with your toddler. I'm thinking of you as you want to do everything for everyone, but know you can't so you ask for help.

I'm thankful for you that you have so much help. I had help too. I couldn't have gotten through the first few months with out endless support from my husband, mom, mother-in-law and friends. From one normal mom to another, having two littles is hard, but it's okay to ask for help. Let other people do the things anyone can do (make meals, change diapers, etc), while you save your precious time for the things that matter: taking time to play with your toddler, nursing your little princess, and letting yourself heal fully so you can be the strongest and healthiest mama you can be. You are beautiful and your love for your babies is inspiring. 

Share some encouragement and advice for Kate (and any other new mom joining us in the journey of having 2 under 2) in the comments.