But, I have to admit, at times we (my husband and I) feel a bit out numbered.
My husband and I never really discussed how many kids we each thought would be ideal. We always knew we would like to have children - in the plural, but no real number was ever discussed. I came from a family of two siblings and David is the eldest of four.
Our adventure started one February morning when we decided to forgo birth control in hopes of starting a family some time soon. Imagine our surprise when it happened that month!
DJ's entry into this world was not easy, smooth or anything like I had envisioned. I had planned and prepared for a drug-free natural birth. But after many, many hours of hard labour, a c-section had to be done. After DJ came into our lives my husband and I never discussed wanting another baby. Unfortunately, DJ had a very rough start to life and ended up in the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. After life saving surgery, we found out that our son has a very rare genetic syndrome. So, after the emotional roller coaster ride we had just been on, we never discussed having a second.
Then, after 3 weeks of thinking I had post partum depression and then the stomach flu, we discovered we were pregnant. Not just a little bit pregnant (if there is such a thing), but 13 weeks pregnant! We were worried at first, but special testing assured us that Anderson did not have any organ/heart anomalies. We felt so blessed - 2 wonderful little boys - less than a year apart.
Since the delivery for Anderson was very traumatic on my body, the doctors recommended no more babies. Slowly, I came to terms with that...though deep down, I knew our family was not yet complete.
David and I discussed and even spoke to our doctor about the Big V. But then, before any appointment could be set up, I started having pregnancy symptoms. A pregnancy test revelled we were expecting our third baby in just over 3 years!
What a blessing and a shock! We were a bit nervous and anxious. Let me rephrase that - I was a bit nervous and David was shell-shocked!!!!!
You see, we had gotten use to having 2 children. Our joke was that we were "made" for two...
...two hands - one for each child to hold
...two shoulders - one for each child to cry or rest on
...two eyes - to keep an eye on each child
...two ears - to listen to each child
...and two of us.
Now that Madigan is here - we have no regrets. But that said, we, especially David, feels out numbered at times. Having three children is very challenging - especially when there is only 38 months between the first and the third.
There are days that I feel frustrated and over whelmed, but then I look into my heart and realize this is my calling, my blessing. Some one up there must really trust me with His/Her precious belongings if He/She sent me three to love, nurture, teach and learn from. I find strength in a loving hug; courage in a silly grin; calm in a loving glance; and beauty in every new experience or skill my children attempt.
My husband loves all three kids so much. I love watching him play with each of them - with all of them! My soccer buddies & scrapbooking pals are always impressed when I arrive sans-children and we all comment on how great it is that David "takes" all three kids. I am very lucky to have such an active, hands-on, understanding parenting partner. He is amazing: knowing when I need a break and making sure I get my own personal time. But, I know he struggles with being out numbered. My heart yearns to help him see what a wonderful father he is and to help him when he is feeling a bit frazzled or over whelmed. We make a wonderful team. A deep desire is to find a way to show David how together we can over come any challenges that these there munchkins can throw at us - now and in the many wonderful years to come.
Our family is now complete, and I am loving it!
And if it is any consolation, "they" say 3 is the new 2!!!!
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