I wrote a post like this a while back and figured it was time to write another one in this new stage of motherhood. Being a Mom to 3 is beyond what I expected in so many ways. It’s funny how when the next kid pops out you instantly can’t imagine your family with out them. Like they were meant to be there all along. I really love how that works. Orion is our favorite little man and the perfect addition to our family. The moment he was born our hearts exploded with love for that sweet, sweet baby. Oooh we just love him!!
I started the last post with this and wanted to add it here as well… One of my favorite things about motherhood is that as much as it’s a personal journey it’s also so uniting at the same time. We all go through the ups & downs. They may be a bit different for each one of us but I am sure we share so many similarities.
My motherhood with 3…
…is first and foremost giving myself grace in all areas of my life. It’s not all going to get done right now.
…is currently putting aside most hobbies for lack of time. Knowing that it’s just a season.
…is accepting the tv watching for the kids with out guilt. It won’t kill any one and again is just a season.
…is actually letting myself sit and cuddle that sweet baby boy while he sleeps instead of trying to lie him down to get other stuff done. By the third you are fully aware how fast time goes.
…is acknowledging that taking care of the baby is the easy part. It’s the older ones that still take up the most time and energy
…is understanding that baby number 3 has to go with the flow. Haha. Poor boy always getting carted around to school drop off, the library, gymnastics, moms group, etc…
…is being more exhausted than you ever imagined. One tiny baby waking up is nothing compared to 3 children up constantly ALL.THROUGH.THE.NIGHT. #halp
…is letting the oldest spread her wings and be that big helper even if it means cleaning up a bigger mess later for you.
…is also giving grace to everyone in the family. It’s a big adjustment for everyone!
…is finding some wiggle room in the budget to hire a house cleaner for this season of life
…is being so in love with the new family dynamic you don’t even know how to handle it.
…is constantly picking up throughout the day so it doesn’t get out of control.
…is about being a team. Helping everyone see the importance of working together and giving jobs.
…is eating at Panera a lot.
…is swooning over your children as they love on each other and become the sweetest little mommies to their new baby brother
…is being so humbled by the love and generosity of your church family. Oooh the meal train!
…is having throw up on your brand new sweater.
…is making the most of even the smallest moments with your older ones to make sure they feel special and loved.
…is lots of kisses
…is your heart growing in ways you didn’t know it could
…is tears over being overwhelmed at everything
…is tears over how much you love everything about your family
…is tears over just how fast it goes
…is tears over every worship song you hear about God’s love
…is tears over having to do those damn tongue and lip exercises on your baby
…is tears over pretty much anything at any moment because #hormones
…is memorizing scripture on God’s promises for moments that seem too overwhelming
…is falling asleep surrounded by piles of clean and dirty laundry and not even caring or moving it
…is googling the most ridiculous things at all hours of the night while nursing
…is ordering things on amazon prime at 3:27am
…is all the hallelujahs for a baby that just slept 11-7am!!
…is multiple trips to Dr. Saddness (what I’ve nicknamed him) for the baby’s tongue and lip tie
…is accepting your post baby body
…is for all the hilarious boobie talk with your older ones as you nurse the baby a bajillion times a day.
…is for falling even deeper in love with your husband as he takes care of everything and everyone.
…is for missing my mom when she is gone
…is feeling like the transition to 3 really has been overall pretty smooth (don’t get me wrong it’s tough for sure!) but makes me think could we handle 4?
…is being so freakin’ excited for all that is to come as a family of 5.
I may have shouted AMEN after relating to every single thing you wrote. Also, that yellow tree is magical.
Congrats! He’s beautiful! And I remember thinking that having a fourth would totally be easy peasy when our third, Rigby, was a newborn. Then he started walking, and then I got pregnant with #4 completely by surprise! ? It’s so lovely when they’re tiny and you just snuggle them and nurse them while tending to your older babies! It’s when they get mobile that it gets crazy, isn’t it?! We always wanted lots of kids so we’re so thrilled with this surprise baby! But man, 3 is TOUGH some days!
Oh Jen I just love this! I love hearing about your ups and downs, the good and bad. I’m so nervous about having twins, but I’ll definitely be reminding myself of this post. I love these pictures…so beautiful!
– Jesse
This is beautiful. My first is just 4 months old, looking forward to doing this to process how everything has changed.
this was great.
we just had our third and i often say it’s been the easiest transition. a transition for sure, but the easiest so far.
I love this. I am 36 weeks pregnant with number three, so it’s fun for me to watch on instagram and read your blog posts and see what adding a third has been like for you.
What a beautiful tribute to motherhood, and what a comforting thought that even though life may get hectic with more kids, it also gets more beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
This is precious!!! I relate to them all! We have three too, going on 4! And it’s all of those things! It’s overwhelming but amazing all at the same time! And yeah…poor thirsd baby, gets toted all over the place! Ours was such an easy baby…just went with the flow! She’s coming into her own now though ☺️ Your family is beautiful!
I love this post. I only have one child but I can definitely relate. It will be interesting to see how I feel if/when I have more kids.
I’m so envious Jen!! After years of trying we were only blessed with one child. She is amazing but it breaks my heart she doesn’t know the love of siblings.. xx
AWW!! Your have a beautiful family! Love how you dress your daughters! Where did you get those green boots?
That was beautiful!!!! So happy for you and your family!! Lots of love to you guys.
What a gorgeous family you have. Thanks for sharing these highlights, as they definitely help open up my eyes with my little 10-week old sweet boy.
xo, Bev