Talk to me about third babies

bluejayway

It's been a while since I've posted on TB, but I haven't got many friends IRL where this situation applies. DH and I are thinking of trying for a third baby. Our children are currently nearly 4 and just turned 2 a few months ago. I'm just generally wanting to hear how a third impacted your family. Did you wait til a specific time to go for a specific age spread? Was it easier than you thought going from 2 to 3 kids? Harder? Anything to consider that might be overlooked (obviously we've considered cost, space in our house, larger car, etc)?

I'm convinced three will be our number, but there are days that I really like just having the two kids and the dynamic we have now. I love that we are almost out of diapers, outings are easier, naps are starting to be less necessary, eating out is actually fun, etc. But I know I would regret not having a third. I'm thinking we'll wait to time it so that DD will have started kindergarten next Sept, so that I don't have three little ones to tote to the grocery store and such, but my DH is actually getting more excited for the prospect and we might try sooner. Anyway, I'd love to hear your stories! Thanks.

azzyberry

I just had my 3rd on Jan 30th so I don't have a ton of experience but so far it's been pretty easy (DS is 5 and DD1 just turned 3 a few weeks ago). Nothing really has changed. I'd say it's definitely easier going from 2 to 3 than it was going from 1 to 2.

ILoveBoys

My boys were 5y 5mos and 3y 3 mos when DD was born. It did help that DS1 was in school. Adding her was pretty easy but I won't lie..... There are days now (ages 9, almost 7 and 3.5) when I wish she was as independent as the boys. But that could just be me being impatient.

Overall, I love having 3 kids.

taggiecb

I had a 6 1/2 year old and a 4 year old when DS3 was born.  It was a really easy transition.  Logistics are a little different, as mentioned, but not a nightmare.  I find right now is the hardest it has ever been, but having a 3 year old isn't easy no matter how many kids you have haha.

anecdote.  When I see people with three kids I still think how crazy busy their life must be.  Then I think, oh yea, I have three kids.  haha.

aforst

Our 3rd is only a few weeks old (and still in the NICU) so I can't speak with a ton of experience yet. I just know that I felt someone was missing in our family. It took some convincing to get DH on board, but he came around.

She's amazing and our family feels complete now. We waited until DS1 was in kindergarten so we weren't paying for 3 kids in daycare. I'm glad we did. He's such a big helper vas getting more self sufficient all the time. I'm sure it will be hectic at times, but I wouldn't change it for anything!

GL with whatever you decide!

ready-or-not

Well, we transitioned from 2-3 really easlily, BUT my oldest was 10 & #2 was 4, so they each had a little independance & were able to help out, out of diapers, both in school (preschool 3 days a week for #2).  We are now going from 3-4, & my littlest one is just over 2 years old so it will be kind of a new experience for me.  Now my oldest will be nearly 13 & #2 will be 6 1/2 so I am hoping that they will provide more help than hender with #3 & #4!

Good luck with whatever you decide!  I think by #3 its all just natural instinct.  You'll have your ups & downs but it'll all come together in the end. 

Oh, I want to ETA that I think one of the hardest parts of going from 1-2 & 2-3 & so on the being pregnant/newborn phase, no enegry, sickness, no sleep....Once you get past that & into a routine, everything just kind of flows!

karich

I just had our 3rd baby, (he's 10 week) and I do not think the transition from 2-3 was a big deal at all. I found going from 1-2 was much harder.
My girls were 5.5 and 2.5 when this baby was born....both are totally potty trained and can do a lot of things independently.
Outings are a little more hectic, but we just took all 3 to Disney for week and it went pretty well. DD1 is in kindergarten, so I am able to do a lot of the errands with only 2 kids.
I've found that organization is key to life now. The more prepared I am, the smoother things go.
All in all, I think 3 kids is great. The baby completed our family....before I wasn't feeling "done". When we were deciding, DH said "We may regret not having a 3rd, but we'll never regret having a 3rd". That sealed the deal for me.
Good luck!

FalconCrest

karich said:

I just had our 3rd baby, (he's 10 week) and I do not think the transition from 2-3 was a big deal at all. I found going from 1-2 was much harder. My girls were 5.5 and 2.5 when this baby was born....both are totally potty trained and can do a lot of things independently. Outings are a little more hectic, but we just took all 3 to Disney for week and it went pretty well. DD1 is in kindergarten, so I am able to do a lot of the errands with only 2 kids. I've found that organization is key to life now. The more prepared I am, the smoother things go. All in all, I think 3 kids is great. The baby completed our family....before I wasn't feeling "done". When we were deciding, DH said "We may regret not having a 3rd, but we'll never regret having a 3rd". That sealed the deal for me. Good luck!

My DH said that too!  I love having 3 kids, I have never regretted the decision for one second.  My youngest just turned a year old less than two weeks ago.  It was a much easier transition going from 2-3 than from 1-2.  Go for it, I'm sure you won't regret it!

Snapdragon750

I don't have 3 but am also trying for my 3rd, and I run in a circle in which large families are common (like, average is maybe 4-5).  Everyone I've spoken to says that 0-1 is hard, 1-2 is hard, everything after that is a piece of cake.  Unless you have twins, that's just hard anytime.

I have a friend with 8 kids, and after I had my first she called me to see how I was doing, and answered bleary eyed and said "HOW DO YOU HAVE 8 OF THEM" and she said to me, "Snapdragon, you don't start with 8."

bluejayway

lrachelle80 said:

Totally following this thread. I go back and forth, but figure we'll make the final call when DD2 is closer to 18 months. I really love the 2.5 year age gap these two have. 

I agree, now that mine are older, I love the age gap mine have. I think once you get past that babyhood stage, it's much easier...though, like someone said, 3-year-olds are never easy!

bluejayway

twolittlewheels said:

We had a 3 year old and a 2 year old when our third was born.  

Oh wow! Yours are close...you are brave! Good job, mama. I found out I was pregnant with DD2 when DD1 was only 10 months. It was scary, haha.

sourapplemartini

#3 has been the easiest and happiest baby. Going from 2-3 was easier than 1-2. We were considering a fourth because I've heard that it just gets easier!

FalconCrest

Our #3 has been the happiest and easiest baby, too!