I get asked all the time how life with 3 is and I pretty much always say the same thing - "It's good! Hard for sure, but then again, two was hard, and heck, one kid was hard too!" I really feel that way. Matthew as a baby was extremely NOT independent, barely slept for his first few months of life, and I was just figuring out the whole motherhood thing. If anyone thinks becoming a parent is easy, well, they were either given the easiest kid in the whole universe or they are my new hero. When Kate came along I suddenly had to figure out how to give two SMALL kids the time and attention they wanted/needed without feeling guilty. I remember feeling guilty a LOT because I constantly felt like one or the other wasn't getting enough time from me. Eventually that got a lot better, and then Joshua came along. Right before he was born me and the other two had a great system going... we were out ALL the time and I finally felt like they were at an age where they were interested in the same things which made our activities (and their time playing together) much easier. With a new baby, things are just harder. Nursing and napping and fussiness can really put a damper on our days sometimes. BUT! I have never been more grateful that I had Matthew and Kate so close together. There are for sure downsides to having two so close in age, and it is definitely not for everyone, but I think the absolute biggest upside for me has been that they have each other at this time in life when a new baby was added to the family. Neither one has acted out (well, more than usual, ha) or had a hard time adjusting at ALL and I attribute that largely to the fact that they have each other. They are best friends and worst enemies ;-) and partners in crime. I really am so grateful for their relationship, and that they've been such champs these last couple months.
And I hope I didn't make it seem like Joshua is the hardest baby that ever lived. He definitely isn't. He DOES cry a lot some days and often has a hard time with naps, but he eats well and usually does pretty darn well at night. I'll take it.
Even though the days can be challenging, I read a bit of parenting advice that I loved. It basically said to celebrate the small victories. So I do. I have been able to get out with the kids, even for a short walk, almost every day since Joshua was about 2 weeks old. And even now, with Joshua being 7 weeks old, I still high five myself every time. ;-) Maybe that's sad, but they, it can be hard sometimes to get out the door. :-) Some days we even get out for a majority of the morning and I try to focus on that rather than the DISASTER my house almost inevitably will be that day. Or I'll celebrate that I taught Kate what all her fingers are called and Matthew how to read some new words rather than the fact that they ate basically nothing but crackers all day. I can't win them all, but I can at least win some, and for now, that's good enough for me.
I am sleepy and SO behind on so many things, but I am no fool as to how lucky and blessed I am. And for every frustrating and I'm-feeling-like-the-worst-mom-ever moment, there is a "Motherhood basically rocks" moment, or if I'm lucky, (and I often am!) several of them. And I'm sure I'll miss these crazy days.... though let's be honest, life really doesn't ever get less crazy... the crazy just changes. So let's just say I'll miss THIS crazy, and these crazies at this age.
P.S. Big shoutout to Michael who has taken on even more around here since Joshua was born and brings me back to sanity daily. He is the best. ;-)
