I’ve always heard the transition from one kid to two kids is hard. I’ve also heard the transition from two kids to three kids is easy.
I would like to go ahead and request we have our third child so I can get to the easy.
Being part of the parenting team of two kids- a four year old and a one month old- is pretty much kicking my butt. Instead of a foot, the weapon is sleep deprivation. Sure, I get some sleep, in blocks of an hour or two, but it isn’t the same. And during the day, when Tebow sleeps better, I spend those minutes trying to get stuff done or focus on Fuller.
However, since Tebow is a second child, I have been able to visualize the future and know this will get better. It won’t be exactly how it was with Fuller, but things will normalize in some way. So when it’s 2 a.m. and I’m holding a Tebow who would prefer to cry instead of sleep (and I’m crying along with him), I’m also telling myself it will get better. And at 7 a.m. my proof will open his bedroom door.
A newborn baby is hard no matter how many others you have, especially if they’re fussy. I wouldn’t exactly say 2 to 3 is easy but it’s definitely easiER than 1 to 2. I don’t even think going from 3 to 4 will be as hard as adding that 2nd one.
But don’t wish for #3 just yet. I don’t know how people handle two kids under 2. That would be hard no matter what number they were.
And you’re right it does get better. As Tebow gets older and starts interacting/playing it will dawn on Fuller that he’s got a built-in playmate other than you. That’s when life starts to get really sweet in more ways than one.
hang in there! i remember those days so well, and really and truly they are over before you know it! don’t try to do too much, prioritize, and just enjoy your kids.
(personally i thought going to 2 kids was much easier than i had imagined, but the sleep deprivation is a killer.)
Both my sister and sister in law said going from 2 to 3 was the hardest. 1 Person 2 hands 3 kids. But I can imagine, when you only have one when they sleep during the day so can you, but when you have 2 you can’t sleep during the day cause the older one doesn’t. Feeling your pain.
#3 was the hardest for me, but that was because she didn’t sleep much and my #2 did. There’s no hard and fast rule where sleep and newborns are concerned, that’s for sure. One thing, that you already mentioned, is that with each child your experience and perspective provide a bit more hope and stamina to see the forest through the trees. On #4 I’m still not getting sleep and I feel your pain with the sleep deprivation. I haven’t slept much since Halloween and ugh, it hurts. If it helps, when you’re up at night with Tebow, you can remember that two blocks down the road there’s another tired mama up with her sleepless one too.
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Hang in there, my friend! I made the jump from one to three all at once and, while I don’t have many memories of those early months, I have to say it was worth it! I put three things down on my to do list-only three-and one might be a nap for Mommy or a shower for Mommy or feeding a baby or whatever. I kept it basic, but it helped to know at the end of the day that I’d accomplished my “to do” list
. One day at a time, one feeding at a time, one “nap” at a time…. God gives much grace and He equips those He calls! You’ll realize in another month or two that all of sudden life is cruising along in your new normal and you don’t exactly remember when you hit cruise control.
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It does get better. I never liked people to tell me that because at the time it was so hard and I wanted them to acknowledge how hard it was…those crazy hormones and sleep deprivation tend to make me a little irrational at times.
) But now that Ansley is 3 months old and sleeping through the night, things are getting back to normal…I should say the new normal. Keep up the good work mom! You’re doing great!