Due in December/January/February 2013/14

[Soar]

Rainbow-that's awesome news! So glad they were so supportive! It sounds like your parents are really great! Having support is really important especially from your parents! February is def prime snow season for you guys! My DH always goes in February bc your snow is his favorite at that time! Sweet outfits for a snow baby are super cute and make them look even more cuddly!

[meeks32]

Onthepond - Glad you're feeling better. Time will tell, but you are absolutely right...healthy baby is wonderful!

Soar - Fun on the gender reveal party! I think you're right...negative comments will sound stupid at a fun party! And yes, everyone knowing at once will hopefully get any dumb comments out of the way at once.

Meeks - Will definitely be buying new clothes here. Totally opposite season from really all 3 of them. I live in Colorado (mountainous state), so Feb. is still smack dab in the middle of winter. I had to buy a few cold weather clothes for DS3, who was born May 5th. It can snow in May here! But I have very little appropriate-weather clothes for a winter baby. So yay, I still get to shop! Plus, all my summer baby clothes are in seriously bad shape, going through 3 boys!! I was actually excited at the thought of giving most of the old stuff away! Will probably keep all their going-home outfits, just for sentimental value, but all the other stained, ragged stuff is getting thrown out!

Told my parents tonight. They were amazingly supportive and wonderful. I thought I might be able to get through without crying, but um, noooo...that didn't happen. I told them the whole story, rainbows and all. They were 100% on board with my DH's comments! And when I told them how easily this baby was conceived (in spite of my pink sway AND in spite of my age AND in spite of my history), they were both amazed, and said this little guy must be special and so meant to be! Said they're looking forward to watching it all unfold. I gotta say, right now I'm feeling tons better. I think deep down I was worried about their reaction, to a fourth, to another boy. Obviously, I shouldn't have been. So grateful for them.

So glad it went so amazingly with your parents. Sometimes it feels like if a few key people react well, you can deal with anything anyone else dishes out.

Oh yes the season. That will be different for me too. My boys were May and June which for us is smack in the middle of winter, and freezing. This one will be Feb, late summer for us, so I have no idea even what one buys for a newborn summer and our summers can vary radically in temperature so my plan is basically cotton full length zip onesies, and a few t-shirt with no legs style ones.

Of course a few impractical and cute outfits too! Hahaha.

I have to hunt down my boxes from the cupboard and check what I have left in which size, some I tossed before packing up because they were vomit stained (two reflux babies) and some I remember wondering why I was putting away, because they weren't very nice looking anymore.

[black&gold]

Are any of you ladies worried about 3rd child syndrome? I've had a few people make the comment around me "I'd never want just 3, third child syndrome. It's either 2 or 4" Before all these comments it never even crossed my mind. I was the baby of 3 kids and definitely felt like I was the least liked, bad child etc. etc. Even to this day I feel like my mom "protects" my older sister more because she's more sensitive than I am - and she was the middle child. Now I'm all worried we made a stupid mistake having more than 2 kids and wondering if this is a real concern. My DS2 is an angel and the cutest most sweetest child ever. I can't fathom ignoring him and not giving him attention.

Plus, what's with the idea that somehow 4 is better in that regard then 3. I get there is no "middle" kid, but naturally the more children you have the less attention you have for all of them individually. Doesn't that rule pretty much apply once you've passed 2 that your kids could somehow feel left out or what not?

Sorry for the random rant, it just totally gets me the wrong way when people make stupid comments like that to your face when you just said "we are so done at 3!" I was interested to hear your ladies thoughts as I know some already have 3 and going onto #4 so I'd be interested to hear what you think. And I know a lot of us are on #3

[BeadinMom]

Honestly, MsB...I've never heard that. My DS3 & I are VERY close & my mom is close to her DD3.
I think love multiplies...never divides

[Tree]

I've heard similar comments too... It worried me. I don't want DS2 to feel like he was just a number, or like he isn't enough (I don't think you can apply this theory to two as you're giving them both a sibling, compensating for what you're 'taking away'). In the end I concluded it comes down ultimately to how you parent. As well as of course, the child's character. I think all dynamics can be complicated as well as the parent child relationship. Equally all dynamics and parent child relationships can be wonderful. Of the families I know with three children all bar one have no issues in this regard. And the only one I can think of that does is a boy, girl, boy family where the girl has serious hang ups - spoilt being the only girl (parents doing) and some mental problems too (bad luck).
I think awareness and sensitivity to each of the children's needs and potential vulnerabilities are key. Don't over compensate or anything but just demonstrate continuous equality, love and one on one time with all of them. And I guess simple stuff like not comparing, examples: 'why can't you be good like your big brother' and 'stop being a baby like your little sister'. I think it's so easy for parents to indirectly (accidentally) turn kids against eachother and pigeon hole their personalities, ultimately making them feel more or less liked than their siblings.
These are just my thoughts. It's hard to know until you're there I suppose and I'm sure the ladies with three will be able to shed more light.

[BeadinMom]

I have 3...with #4 currently cooking....

Honestly, each one of my boys are unique & beautiful in their own ways & I COULD NOT for a minute, imagine my life without each one of them.
In fact, I pray each night that this baby has Cameron's eyes & gentleness, Brennan's amazing sense of humor & beautiful heart & Quinn's smarts & passion for the things he loves.

How do you even chose who you would subtract from your life? If God put them there, they're meant to be there.

I HATE inconsiderate, rude people & their crass comments.

[black&gold]

Thanks ladies. I completely agree with both of you.

Tree - Everything you said is what I've also been thinking and I totally think it comes down to how you parent. It's so silly the people that just assume 3 automatically means theres middle child syndrome. Of course being pregnant though and OVERLY sensitive this time for some reason I am taking ever comment to heart and worrying like crazy about other peoples thoughts.

I think it's mostly the people that believe the best family is 2 kids (ideally Boy then girl) - which lucky for everyone I know is what they just randomly got dealt. 2 kids is nice, but you only give your child one option for a sibling in life. What happens if they don't get along or aren't close (much like both DH & I with ours) you don't have any other options! And when parents are no longer alive, I feel like it's nice for your kids to have family. I think there's valid reasons for choosing any number of children and it's stupid for people to even comment about what is the most ideal, because they ALL have their negatives!

Ugh, there's my rant for the day LOL!

[BeadinMom]

So I thought I'd share with you guys how we're sharing the baby's gender with our families...

I bought the same exact Strasburg gown - one in pink & one in blue...
My mom will have one gown & my mom-in-law will have the other...
My DH will come out & kiss the one who is opposite of what we have, then kiss the mom holding the correct gown & take it.

Yes, I know it's cheesy...LOL...but I think it'll be sweet to include both of our moms.

[BeadinMom]

Ms B...
You are absolutely right...no matter what, we would've had at least 3 kids. I adore my sisters & I wanted my boys to experience that. Seeing them together is really sweet. I'm not sure opposite gender siblings can understand each other in the same way.

[Waiting4Daisy]

Beadin I love your gender reveal idea