Each Child Is Different

Baby Planning
First Child:  Let's stop using birth control and see what happens
Second Child: Let's check with the calendar and plan
Third Child: Birth control? Calendar? Who has time for that stuff?

The Ultrasound
First Child: I wonder what we're having.
Second Child: Do we have to go clothes shopping or can we use his brother's clothes?
Third Child: Oh, thank GOD it's just one baby in there.  I don't care if it's a boy or a girl: it's just ONE. Yes, my doctor thought my third was twins.

Getting Ready for Baby
First Child: Read all the baby books, had four baby showers, got everything together, and worried
Second Child: Diaper shower, double stroller ready to go, and worried
Third Child: Huh, I wonder how we'll fit all these kids in our vehicles. Hmmm. Who has time to worry?

The Delivery
First Child: Got to the hospital ready to push. There for less than an hour before baby was born. No time for drugs.  Hurt like nothing I've ever felt.
Second Child: Got to the hospital with two hours to spare. Time for a little bit of drugs. Still hurt like hell, but not as bad as first.
Third Child: Induced so I didn't deliver him on the side of the road. Epidural. Bliss. Easiest delivery of the three, by far.

The Hospital Stay
First Child: Wanted visitors, but didn't want to let go of my baby.  In no rush to go home.
Second Child:  Let people hold the baby. Worried about his big brother at home.
Third Child: Just wanted to go home. 36 hour mark came and we hurried home.

The First Week
First Child:  OMG, why didn't anyone tell me how hard this was? And why does breastfeeding feel like glass being sucked out of my nipples? And why doesn't this baby sleep? Lots of tears.
Second Child: Wow, a newborn who can sleep. This is cool. Put him in the baby carrier and let's go.
Third Child: Oh, look at the cute baby. When I'm not too busy, I'll stop and cuddle him.

The Milestones
First Child:  Is this normal?  Checking the books and asking his doctor to make sure everything is okay. Recording all milestones with photos and written documentation.
Second Child:  Wait, is he doing things when his brother did? Is everything okay? Is this normal?
Third Child: Eh, whatever. He'll get it all eventually.

To my dear third child, my Cub:
yes, we were more laidback with you than we were with your brothers. We'd learned what is worth worrying about and what isn't.  You are the last to do everything and we aren't in a hurry to rush you to hit those milestones.  That grin of yours lets you get away with things we'd never let your brothers get away with, not even when they were your age. I see why the baby of the family is treated like the baby of the family. And we adore you! Happy third birthday!

Newborn Cub

My big boy