To My Third Child,
I honestly thought you’d be a breeze, but boy, was I mistaken. From the moment the pregnancy test showed two lines, I reassured myself that I could manage this. If I was meant to be pregnant, then everything would be alright. Your arrival wasn’t planned, but I had already delivered two children—I was practically a pro. Diaper changing? A piece of cake, even with one hand tied behind my back. People called me the Baby Whisperer, after all.
But no, you had other plans right from the start.
After my first two pregnancies left me struggling with the scale, I promised myself that this time would be different. Do you know how challenging it is to stick to a healthy diet when you have two toddlers running around, leaving half-eaten meals behind? I can’t even count how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I consumed while you were growing inside me. Add my overindulgent meals to the mix, and let’s just say that I quickly became a whole lot of mama.
You probably don’t remember the day you made your entrance into the world, but I do all too well. I naively believed that labor would come easy this time, considering I had already done it twice. I thought your siblings had paved the way, making it smooth sailing. I was dead wrong. The contractions felt more like trying to break down a brick wall with my bare hands. Trust me, labor doesn’t get easier, no matter how many times you go through it.
Once we finally got home, I envisioned settling into a routine of naps and peaceful nights. After all, by the third child, you should know the drill, right? But no, colic had other ideas. You screamed for hours, and I couldn’t do anything but cry alongside you. Your older siblings would often join in, waking from their naps in chaos, making our home resemble a circus. Sleep? That was a distant memory with three little ones running around. I was completely outnumbered, and you all knew it.
Nursing? It took us nearly three months to figure that out. My breasts swelled to colossal sizes—likely from finishing off your siblings’ leftovers—and every time I unlatched my nursing bra, it was like a Jack-in-the-box surprise for you, complete with a milk shower. To add to the fun, you developed a milk allergy, forcing me to give up all my favorite dairy delights for six long months. Just when I thought I couldn’t catch a break, your brother decided to turn my breast pump to the highest setting during one of my attempts to pump. I still cringe at the thought.
Now, onto potty training. I figured you’d be excited to use the big potty, having seen your siblings do it daily. But instead, you found it far more entertaining to remove your diaper and leave surprises on the floor. I could have sworn I saw you give the toilet the finger more than once!
And when you reached the age of throwing epic tantrums, you really went for it. You were likely just trying to make your voice heard, but suddenly I was faced with a toddler who could toss furniture around like it was nothing. My resume now includes sheetrock repair.
Were my expectations unrealistic? Perhaps. Bringing you into the world is no small feat, and your entrance was like a whirlwind, making the transition more challenging than with your older siblings.
Yet, despite the chaos, you’ve taught me invaluable lessons and loved me with a fierceness I never knew existed. So yes, I’ll endure the colic, the tantrums, and the grueling labor, but giving up dairy? That one still stings.
Let’s go grab a grilled cheese and some ice cream soon, shall we?
With love,
Mama
For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource: Nichd on Pregnancy. And if you’re looking for a reliable option for at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom is a great place to start. Don’t forget to read about other experiences like this one on Intracervical Insemination to keep the conversation going!
In summary, while my third child turned out to be more of a challenge than I anticipated, the love and lessons learned have been immeasurable.
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