The difference between baby #1, #2 and #3

Reading list for baby #3: How-to survive manuals.

By Shanisty Ireland Updated Oct. 12, 2021

Table of Contents

When I was pregnant with my second child, I wrote about the difference between being pregnant the second time around. However, I’m quickly learning that was nothing…I mean, NOTHING compared to being pregnant with #3.

Reading + preparing

Baby #1: Reading every book on baby.

Baby #2: Reading every article on siblings.

Baby #3: Reading how-to survive manuals.

Baby clothes

Baby #1: Brand new, freshly cleaned outfits to bring baby home from hospital.

Baby #2: Hospital bag was forgotten as we rushed out the door to the hospital. Husband has to bring random semi-clean outfit for baby.

Baby #3: Those onesies the hospital provides are clean enough.

Exercise timeline

Baby #1: Prenatal yoga, walks, healthy eating!

Baby #2: Running after first baby is exercise.

Baby #3: Sitting on my big booty and waiting for my husband to come home—watching the seconds tick by is exhausting.

Maternity clothes

Baby #1: Maternity clothes are so fun!

Baby #2: Even though I’m pregnant in a completely different season, I’m still gonna rock last pregnancy’s wardrobe.

Baby #3: Can’t find old maternity clothes, so not even bothering. Stretching out normal clothes until they burst at the seams.

Listening to advice

Baby #1: Listening to everyone’s advice on what it’s like to be a mom.

Baby #2: Listening to myself.

Baby #3: Everyone shut up. Silence is a virtue.

Their baby books

Baby #1: Beautiful baby book already filled with fun pregnancy moments we’ve experienced during this journey.

Baby #2: Beautiful empty baby book remains empty on child’s second birthday.

Baby #3: The birth certificate provides a wealth of information.

The nursery

Baby #1: Nursery is perfect. Can’t wait to bring baby home to a beautiful room that they won’t even set foot into for 6 months-1 year.

Baby #2: We moved baby #1 out of the crib and slapped on some new sheets.

Baby #3: Pack ‘n play works just fine.

What strangers say

Baby #1: Strangers lovingly ask, “Is this your first? How precious!”

Baby #2: Strangers say, “Awww- two will to be a handful!”

Baby #3: Strangers don’t even talk anymore. Instead they look at the other two hood rats running wild through a crowded supermarket. They then stare at my big belly, look down, shake their heads and walk away.