Preparing For Baby Number 3!
I am thrilled to add our third baby to the family this fall, but I am certainly feeling the weight of the to-do list at home and at work. Transitioning from 2 to 3 is a completely different experience than my other pregnancies. I have had a challenging colicky baby and my angel baby during the newborn phase. I have the experience to know that the difficult phases are just phases and will not last forever. I will sleep again. When it is your first baby, the hard times feel exceptionally difficult without a baseline of what to expect.
Below are the ways that I am preparing for adding another baby to the mix:
The Master List: I made my initial list of items that need to be completed before baby comes. When I am overwhelmed the first step is always to make a list. It serves as a roadmap to get to where I want to go. A list also helps me to simply follow the plan and not feel lost after each task is complete.
Reimagining Our Home: We are currently in the process of playing Tetris within our space. We are figuring out how to accommodate three kids in our home and all of our stuff. This has been the largest task so far. The process of figuring out what to keep and what to give away has me channeling my inner Marie Kondo. (The fact that even Marie Kondo has given up on the tidying method that made her famous after having children gives me more satisfaction than I care to admit.) Getting to decorate three rooms in preparation for baby girl has been extremely fun and I know the kids will love the outcome.
Inventory: Taking stock of what we have from the two older kids and what is needed for our youngest is less daunting than it would seem. There are a handful of larger items that we need, because our kids are each spaced by 4+ years apart from one another. The car seat is definitely expired at this point, but I am lucky to have mom friends and family members who are sharing hand-me-down baby gear! The nice thing about being a seasoned mom is that you have a much clearer idea of what a baby actually needs and does not need.
Communicating Expectations and Needs with Loved Ones: When it’s your third baby, it is a lot easier to anticipate potential needs. I have had really honest and loving conversations with my support system about my needs and limitations postpartum. I feel very fortunate to be met with love and understanding.
Freezer Meals: Having some frozen red beans and rice, taco soup, and chili ready to go in the freezer is life postpartum! We are already starting to get a stockpile together for easy meals during the fourth trimester.
Anytime you add another tiny human to the mix it is a wildcard. I have no clue what the transition will look like for our family, BUT I trust the wisdom I have acquired in the last 8 years of mothering. I can’t prepare for everything, but this is the general plan at the halfway mark!
