It feels kind of weird announcing this
on here since I announced it on social media so long ago and am only
just now getting around to blogging it, but that's what happens when
you've got a sweet little thing inside of you that's been making you
feel a little icky. Yes, that's right - it's official. I am pregnant
with our third child.
It's fascinating how different the
reactions to the third are from the reactions to the first or second.
It is less 'yay' and more 'whaaaaat?!' I can only imagine what the
reactions will be like if we ever spring for a fourth. You'd think we
were Duggaring it up over here. (Side note: I think the Duggars are
lovely, but I don't think we'll go for nineteen.)
I have always loved the idea of having
a big family and would love to have even another one day, but you
guys, pregnancy is no joke. It has been a rough few months in
our household – lots of gagging and wretching on my part, and lots
of TV watching and self-entertaining on the kids' part. I'm at 16.5
weeks now, and the morning sickness ('morning' – ha!) is definitely
better, but there is certainly some lingering queasiness here and
there. I think this baby is plotting. (“YOU SHALL HAVE NO MORE
AFTER ME, BWA HA HA!”) Meanwhile, the crazy husband is already
planning the fourth...
Going from one child to two felt easier
to me than going from zero to one. When you have a first baby,
especially when you've had a loss prior, everything is terrifying.
From worrisome ailments to inexplicable crying (both child and
parent), caring for your very first newborn is quite the
trial-and-error phase of life. But with the second you actually feel
like you know what you're doing. That was especially true for me
since they were so close in age – I never actually left baby mode.
It's a little different now that the age difference is slightly
larger, and that's just one of the many things I get nervous about.
I'm starting over in the baby phase. Yikes!
It would be easy for me to fear all the
unknowns about this new endeavor. What's going to be different
with three? Am I going to be overwhelmed? Will this baby sleep? What
if something goes wrong?
There are so many things in life I
could fear, but when I consider all that's taking place in the world,
that seems to put it into perspective a bit. Having a baby shouldn't
be toward the top of that list of things to be fearful of (although,
having recently been in the throes of first trimester woes, I will
say that three months of consistent nausea is a totally legit thing
to fear). In every new phase of life there is room for fear, but I've
got to cast that aside and embrace and enjoy what's in front of me.
Whenever I start to feel apprehensive
about adding to our brood, I start reminding myself of the facts.
Yes, kids are a lot of work, but they are the kind of work that is
worth it! They are fun. And they are family, and who doesn't want
more family? I mean, if Tori Spelling can have four, why can't I?
Maybe she didn't feel like barfing the whole time though...
Anyway, there is much to celebrate.
What I am looking forward to most is watching my two older babies
gain a sibling and experience the joy of a new life. I'm excited to
meet this new person and learn all about him or her. I'm excited to
watch them all grow together and love each other. And that's the key
right there - love conquers fear.
Some parents say that going from two to
three was huge because they became outnumbered, while others say that
it was a natural transition since they were more laid back. I can't
be sure of what's to come, but what I can be sure of is that no
matter what, we'll always have a lot of love in this house.
