So here we are, officially in the third trimester & less than three months to meeting our second baby girl. We are closer than ever to the moment we have been counting down to for months, what a crazy feeling! We are over the moon excited, anxious, & of course, just a little bit scared.
My doctor moved my due date up to May 31st from June 2nd, which in reality is only two days, but the change in months made this whole thing seem a hell of a lot closer. As for labor, I definitely want her to keep cooking until then, but am really hoping that when the time comes, she comes on her own. I was induced with Waverly the day after my due date, which for the record, I was ALL for by that point in my pregnancy, but clearly my body wasn’t. I was in labor for 48 hours, most of it with no progress at all (even though I definitely felt it), & after all of that, it almost ended in a c-section. Obviously all is well that ends well, we got a healthy, beautiful baby girl & haven’t looked back since. Yet for round two, I really want that moment when my water breaks (just maybe not while I’m teaching a class) or that I start feeling contractions on my own, hopefully signaling that my body is ready this time. I’ve told my husband time & time again to remind me of this when I am ten months pregnant & will do anything to get her here. 😉 With all that being said, I do know it will happen as it’s supposed to, I love & trust my doctor beyond words, I know she will know what is best for me & the baby. Also, I certainly don’t want to scare anyone from an induction, I have many friends who had great experiences & who would no doubt do it again.
And what about after we are officially a family of four?! I can’t even count the number of people who have told me what a change going from one to two is, that I will look back on my days with just my toddler & laugh about thinking I was busy then. So there’s that, which I’m sure I will find to be true. Mostly though, my thoughts center around the fact that we have been through the baby phase once & (sort of) know what to expect. I know we have lots of sleepless nights headed our way, that there will be moments of endless crying that I can do nothing about, & that I probably won’t shower for days at a time. Yet I also know how quickly that time passes, & to cherish it, especially since something tells me it will go even faster with two little ones at the house.
Without a doubt, my biggest fear is how Waverly will react to this huge life change. She is so excited for her baby sister & talks about her all of the time, but ultimately, girlfriend has no idea what is coming to her. It’s safe to say that she gets a lot of attention around here and has known nothing different for the entire two & a half years of her life. There have been multiple times lately when we have been going through our normal routine that we have all come to know so well, & I’ve realized that no matter how hard I try, it’s going to have to change. Especially since I plan to breastfeed again. It’s such a bittersweet feeling, but I do know that it’s going to be the best thing for everyone, & that soon we will have a new normal that we will come to love just as much.
Above all else, I feel so lucky to be able to grow our family, my husband I have always hoped for a house full of kids & we couldn’t be happier that our dreams are coming true. I also know that we wouldn’t be given this new life if we couldn’t handle it, people do this all of the time, right?! We can’t wait to meet you, baby girl, & love you SO much already! 🙂
XO
What a sweet and honest post. Your family of four is going to be wonderful! I'm sure everything will take time to get into a schedule, but it will all work out. I'm sending you extra sleep NOW, haha!
Love that sweet picture!
All very honest and valid thoughts that you are having. You really are about to embark on another exciting time. As with anything great, there will be some hard times but it will totally be worth it!
I am feeling all of these same things right now! I was induced with Caleb, and although my experience went very smoothly, I do think it would be one of those "life" experiences to get to have my water break and go into labor on my own. I worry a little about the changes coming to our family as we go from three to four. We have our little routines so established now, and a new baby is definitely going to disrupt that – so I don't know what to expect on that. And oh, Mama – do I know how you feel when you say that you worry about how Waverly will react. As much as we talk about it with Caleb, I just know he hasn't grasped what's about to happen, and I know it will be a big change for him. He's a total mama's boy and having to share me will not be easy for him – especially with the breastfeeding. He's going to have to be a big boy very fast,and it makes me a bit sad that his days as mama's only baby are quickly coming to an end:( But, we are SO grateful for the blessing of another baby, and are also looking forward to what the future has in store for our growing family. We always wanted more than one child, so this is our dream coming true!:) So glad to be experiencing this with you, dear friend! Loving all the support from mamas going through the same thing!!!
The sibling transition is hard. Seriously. Lex looooves her sister. But the looks of contempt she shoots me when I'm nursing or soothing the babe has gotten me teary more than once. BUT I take solace in the fact that lots of people have siblings and are just fine. If the mtv teen moms cando it SO CAN WE 😉
I was induced the first time, with Wyatt, and then Stella came on her own. Definitely much easier the second time. She was ready and she came quick! It is definitely stressful wondering how life will be and if the sibling will be accepting. There are going to be times when everything is great but there will be times of jealousy. Even my son, who really could care less about Stella, has bouts of jealousy sometimes. But it all works out in the end and you know that they will grow up and be the best of friends! And you just do what you can do, that's all that matters. You got this!
I'm pretty anti induction unless absolutely 100% medically necessary, so we can stick it out to 42 weeks together if we need to 😉
And yeah, lots of changes headed this way! It won't all be easy but of course it will be the best thing ever.
This is so sweet, momma! Time is flying!! I was induced as well and I would love to experience going into labor on my own… but at the same time… it terrifies the crap outta me! Thank heavens these babies are worth all the fear!
Such a cute pic. I love following your blog. We are only about a week apart!
Yay – love that!!!!!!!! Hope you are feeling well!
Your thoughts, sentiments, worries and fears mirror my own.
It's such a crazy ride. But, how blessed we are to be on this roller coaster!
You're an awesome momma, and your little ladies are so lucky to have you!
Beautiful thoughts! Cheers to trimester 3! xx
All of these thoughts are definitely things I think about on the constant. I think it is normal for anyone going through the transition we are….going from one to two. So very overwhelming at times. I hope you are able to experience the spontaneous labor you envision!
YES! i think all moms worry about this when welcoming #2. the things that helped me were
1) remembering that having another baby would be a hard transition, but that one of the reasons we were adding another baby was FOR my son, too. that this baby would be a blessing not just to me and my husband, but also to my son.
2) when i was pregnant, i only thought of the baby hypothetically. i promise, when that little girl is in your arms you won't remember what life was like without her.
(also, in hindsight, i didn't give my son enough grace when our daughter was born. he was just 21 months and i expected him to roll with it. he acted out a bit and i feel like now, looking back, it all makes more sense and he could have had an additional measure of patience and love from us.)
Thank you so much for this. I will definitely keep all in mind – especially your hindsight! Hope you guys are doing well! XO
That is definitely my biggest fear too. I already feel guilty that baby #2 will never have the same one on one time that my son had, and that my son will have to split all the attention he's used to getting. Apparently mom guilt doubles with each additional kid 😉
Congratulations!!! She is going to be the best big sister and you all will do great adjusting!
Thank you so much!
such a beautiful post. I definitely fall in the camp wondering why I ever thought one was hard, but two isn't that much harder, it's just that everything was over exaggerated being a first time experience. Hope your labor is easier this time around!
I'm sure you have received a ton of advice about going from 1 to 2 but I'm going to leave you some anyway! Ha. My kids are 17 months apart and my best advice is try to fit the baby into your already established routine. Try to change very little to fit the babies needs into your schedule but do the opposite in fitting the baby into your schedule. It offers the least change for your older one and feels like you are doing the same things with her that you have been. Good luck, you'll do great!
I appreciate it! I have actually heard that from someone else & it seems to make sense, I will definitely keep that in mind! Thank you!
I'm so excited for you! Waverly will adjust. I promise. And so will you!!! XOXO
I'm so excited for you and can't wait to meet baby #2. 🙂 I'm sure the change will be super rough at first, but remember how hard it was with the first? How you mourned the life you used to have? No? I totally did… and you know what this time will be no different, for a time you will probably mourn your old routine and life but in the blink of an eye you'll have a new normal and your new little one will fit so perfectly that it will just feel meant to be 🙂 Again I'm so excited for you guys! xo
True – you are the best!!! Hope you guys are doing well & I can't wait to see Scarlett as a big sis one day!
This is such an honest and beautiful post. I can only imagine feeling the same way when we have a second. This shot is beautiful and I know Waverly is going to be such a wonderful big sister. But I also understand about the 1st child getting a lot of attention. It's something we really worry about. Good luck and yay to 3rd tri!
xx Viv at JoieDeViv
Thanks, mama!!!!! I truly appreciate the support! 🙂
Oh how I know the feelings you have mentioned all to well! In the end everything will be perfect, it is definitely a transition, but to be completely honest, I felt going from 1 to 2 was MUCH easier than going from 0 to 1. My type A personality and OCD gave me SO much anxiety with Charli and I went through postpartum depression, but after having Crew, everything literally stayed the same, I felt incredibly happy, no postpartum, and it was just so easy. We were much more relaxed. I hope all of that happens for you as well! I am getting so excited for you!!
I am going through many of the same thoughts and fears right now. I have a 21 month old daughter and I'm expecting twin girls in about 3 weeks! Eek!!!! Every day my husband and I wonder how we will do this or that. But our biggest concern is molly and how she will adjust. My husband had a dream the other night that she said "daddy remember when you used to love me?" Ugh….. I know ultimately she will end up loving her baby sisters and all will be fine but just nervous about the transition from one to three. Good luck to you! We got this!!!!
OMG, twin girls, SOOOO exciting! I know you will rock it mama – so excited for you! XO
She is going to be such a great big sister! There's definitely a transition period, but they adjust surprisingly well and very quickly. I promise it'll go better than you imagine.
Let me say…the transition period certainly exists, but Elyse has done incredible with Nora! And I think it honestly helps when you have two of the same gender. Elyse has been super thrilled to share her toys and bring Nora toys and diapers and blankets…and while life has certainly been a big transition, our life is more complete than ever!
My due date is June 3rd so I have loved following along your pregnancy 🙂 The third trimester makes it seem so much more real! I felt the same when when I was pregnant with my second, my daughter gets soooo much attention I was worried how she would react to the new baby but she did amazing. Now I'm having the same thoughts with this baby and my son! It will all work out and she'll love her sister 🙂
28 Week Bumpdate
Aspen Kelty Marie
I have a 3 year old and 4 month old daughters and so I can totally relate to this post and feeling like this just a few months ago. However, I can tell you that chances are, you will have a completely different birth story this time around (and it's hard to grasp that since you've only had one so far, but I don't know too many people who have had the same exact birth story, so hopefully this one will come on her own, or induction will be smoother, but either way it will be part of her own story, and yours.) Also, for me the transition to having 2 has been remarkably easier and more enjoyable than going from 0-1. Everything has been easier, even the sleepless nights, because you realize how quickly they grow, and you seem to savor each moment even more (at least I do.) Waverly is at the perfect age to become a big sister and she'll love helping you with her new baby sister.