I cannot believe it but my baby is almost a month old. Where did the month go? It has flown by and unlike my first baby I have noticed time passing. I don't want it to go too fast. I think I might be a rare freak of nature who loves the newborn stage. I love having a newborn! In fact it's the two and four year old making my life challenging right now.
I have taken most of this month off from blogging except for a few posts here or there that I had already committed to, I am hoping to get back going soon. I have tried so many new products, and been given the chance to experience many new items in the baby world since being pregnant and having another baby. I can't wait to share my favorites with my readers. It's crazy how much baby gear and even baby tips and 'rules' change from one baby to the next to the next. I had my daughter in 2012 and many things are different already.
I was lucky to have help for the first few weeks of my third baby's life but now I am on my own and it's hard! I know it will get easier and I will find my routine, but juggling three kids is not for the weak haha..
My two and four year old started waking at all hours of the night and getting up at the crack of dawn a few weeks before the baby was born. I believe they sensed my weakness and started acting out. Or something.. I am not sure what it was, but they must have known our lives were getting ready to be disrupted. It continued even after her birth, and it is just now starting to get better and they are sleeping again for the most part. By the way both of my children have been amazing sleepers since the time they were about one so having non sleepers is not the norm for us. Luckily my baby has been sleeping great but I am not under any illusion that it will last. I am sure around three to four months all hell will break loose as the 'three month sleep regression' hits but at least I am prepared.
My two and four year old have also become challenging during the day. My four year old likes to argue with me and the two year old is crazy and wild. They are demanding, they need snacks, they need entertainment.. and of course the baby wants to nurse all the time. I am handling it the best I can but I I would be lying if I said it was sunshine and roses all the time ha. When I am alone all day with them I feel badly that I am spread so thin and breastfeeding around the clock. I babywear as much as I can but even that has limitations to what I can do physically (it's still hard to drag two screaming toddlers and their bikes home when they plant themselves in one spot and refuse to move).
So, that is life with three so far. Hopefully I don't sound like a downer. I wrote this on a particularly rough day (they are in bed now!). My older kids are the challenge, and the baby is easy as can be. I know it will all get easier though. We have had some fun outings already. I spent my third week postpartum immersed in activities for the older two and we had some good times. Luckily summer is great for having a baby because we can find many activities to do outside. My son was born in the winter and I was so nervous to take him to a mall or an indoor playground due to germs. I am not concerned now and we spend a ton of time outdoors. I also took all three to Costco yesterday, my first time shopping with three in tow and it went well. So, here we are one month in and surviving! I know it will get easier.
Kelli
Thursday 29th of July 2021
Hi Jen I could have have written this post myself!! I have two children a boy 4 and a girl 2. I always thought I was done after having two but this past year my husband and I have both been so undecided on a third! We are both from families of three, I just don’t feel done & think every day about what it would be like to have a third. I do worry a lot though as don’t have a lot of outside help, finances would hit with childcare costs when I return to work and also the sleepless nights as we have just turned a corner as both of our children have never been great sleepers. I wish I could just know what is for the best for us as a family. It’s the hardest decision of all, I never doubted I would want a second but this now is all I think about and I seem to change my mind every day! Xx
Jessica
Sunday 7th of January 2018
Hi Jen, I just read your post about debating on having a third child. I’m going through the same thing now. I have a 6year old boy and 3year old girl. I’m like you I LOVE the newborn phase and it goes so fast!! I miss that phase but, I have a hard time deciding if I truly want to start over again. Ahh... it’s so tough! I’m also like you in the fact that I don’t have family close that I can count on... so please, more advice? I want to ask family but I know what they will all say,”you have a beautiful family, why add to the chaos” so I need to hear a different perspective that’s true/not sugar coated!! Thanks in advance, Jessica
Bia
Friday 23rd of November 2018
Ditto!-
jenbrenan
Wednesday 10th of January 2018
Hi Jessica,
Well I did have another/third child! I definitely don't regret it but it does make everything more challenging. She is 1.5 now so no more newborn phase and it did all go by super fast. I don't have any great advice since it is such an individual decision but it has been great for us and I do feel completely done now with no regrets! Good luck!
Arlene
Sunday 17th of December 2017
Hello Jen, i just read your post about debating whether to have a 3rd then this one! Omg I have 2 girls 3 & almost 6 and I can’t get the idea out of my head of having a 3rd :/ I’m afraid of the sleepless nights more than anything ... and not returning to work soon to help my husband out. Anyways I love your post and the updates you have here! Best of luck Love Arlene
jenbrenan
Friday 22nd of December 2017
Hi Arlene,
Well I did have a third and she is 18 months now! Lots of sleepless nights but it has been worth it. Good luck with your decision.