Dear Elle,

17. Introducing our son...

Dear Elle,

Congratulations on the birth of your little angel.

My hope for you is that you had a stress free and relatively easy pregnancy and that your baby (whether boy or girl) came into this world happy and healthy.

You will be such a wonderful mother, as you are a wonderful daughter, sister, best friend and wife. Your little one is so very lucky to know you and be able to call you 'Mum'.

There is so much advice that I could give, but what I really wanted to do (that I can't) is to offer you help. I know that our family will be there to support you through this wonderful time with food and baby-sitting opportunities.

My advice – take it. I know you and I know that you will most likely say 'no', but taking a break won't make you a 'bad mother'. Accepting help doesn't show that you are weak or can't cope or don't know what your doing – accepting help allows you to be better for your baby. Trust me.

A shower. An extra sleep in. One less dinner you have to cook – allows you to have a moment to breath and refresh.

'Sleep when the baby sleeps', how many times have you been told that? Most likely a few, chances are those who told you that NEVER slept when their baby slept. Most would usually use this time to catch up on whatever they needed to get done.

BUT that all can wait. The dishes, the laundry....it can all wait and I know that it will be annoying and you'll look at other mothers and go 'how can they get it all done'....but don't worry about everyone else.

Do you.

Do what's best for you and your baby.

Your baby doesn't care that you've stayed in your PJ's for a week straight or that you've had to get take away because you haven't had time to cook.

Your baby wants you and that's okay.

Enjoy all the wonderful things that come with having a newborn – the cuddles, the bath times, the naps.

Breastfeed? Bottle? – Doesn't matter as long as the baby is fed! You were only formula from Day 1 and we didn't have a problem.

Take advice from the people that you want and accept help from the people that you know. Remember YOU are the mother. No one else.

Enjoy this wonderful time and I know that at times its going to be hard – especially in the early hours of the morning when your begging for sleep and the little one just wants to party.... enjoy it. The newborn stage passes so very quickly and before you know it your little toddler will be running circles around you.

Thank you for making me a grandmother. Give the baby a kiss for me.

Watching over you always.

Mum x

Elle POV

'Exactly like Elle, exactly....'

'No, I can see a little bit of Noah in there....'

'Dad, I really want a hold? Please can I have a hold? I promise I'll be careful....I'll sit down and everything!'