Three or more

I am surprised by how often I get stopped and asked, “What’s it like having three?”  My first inclination is to think that they are asking because my kids are being rambunctious and loud and I am being judged for having out-of-control children.  Rather, it’s usually because the asker has two kids and is on the fence as to whether or not to make the jump to three.

In a nutshell, it goes like this:  making the transition from two to three was way easier than going from one to two.  At least in my experience…and many other friends who have three or more kids!

When our first was born, The Husband and I had time to gaze upon BabyBito in wonder.  You know how it goes with your firstborn—every little sigh was noteworthy.  The Husband and I tag teamed and co-parented.  There were two of us and only one baby. 

Then BabyCupcake was born.  The Period of Struggles followed soon thereafter.  I always had at least one child demanding my attention, but more often than not, it was both of them at the same exact time.  Being pulled in two directions and trying to figure out the mothering-more-than-one kid at a time was so very hard on me.  I was striving to be a good mommy to ToddlerBito and newborn BabyCupcake, while not leting mommy-guilt eat away at me.

Once BabyCupcake was about a year old, life started evening out.  I was getting better at the juggling act and was gaining a sense of normalcy.  Just after Cupcake turned 16 months old, I started feeling nauseous.  Sure enough—another bun in the oven!  I had many moments of despair, wondering what we were getting ourselves into since The Period of Struggles was still fresh in my memory.  I wasn’t sure how we’d get through it again.  Plus, I was being warned that going from man-to-man defense to zone-defense always left one child open.  We the parents would be outnumbered!

What a pleasant surprise to barely have a blip on the radar once BabyMuffin was born.  Cupcake and Bito were so busy forging their sibling relationship that they didn’t need my attention very often.  I had to break up the occasional fight, but all in all, they occupied each other.  This left me more time for BabyMuffin than I had had for Cupcake when she was a baby! 

Now that BabyMuffin is a year old and I realize having three wasn’t as difficult as I thought, I’m ready to add a fourth.  What’s one more?

Original DC Metro Moms post.  Michelle blogs about life with three over at Wife and Mommy.
This post dedicated to her friend who is currently gestating a third baby—may it be as easy for you!