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

Reading list for baby #3: How-to survive manuals.
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.
Dad situation
Baby #1: Dad to be attends every doctor’s appointment.
Baby #2: Dad attends 20 week ultrasound.
Baby #3: Doctor asks, “Is there a father?”
Amount of love
Baby #1: Love with all your heart.
Baby #2: Love with all your heart.
Baby #3: Dear heart, please make room to love one more.
This article was originally published on She’s Becoming Domestic.