Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Formspring #1: Babies

You asked and I promised to answer. I can't say I was all that shocked when I received this as my first real question from formspring...

"Not that you can go back now, but how do you feel about having 3 kids so close together? Any chance baby #4 is in the works?! You're a fantastic mother!"

You want the short answer? Honestly, I love having 3 kids so close together. Oh, and I also hate it.

As for the long one, we'll start with the Cons: There no denying that there are a lot of difficulties that come with having kids so close in age (currently almost 5, 3, and almost 2 or 19 and 17 months apart). First off, they fight...they fight, fight, fight, fight! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that they play so much together (and so often with the same toys) that arguments are inevitable. But...rumor has it all kids do, so I don't know if their ages really effect it all that much. The hardest so far was when they were babies (we missed the Three Under Three cut-off by 5 days)...because they really were still babies when the next one came along. I used to have people inquire how my baby was doing and I couldn't help but ask, "which one?" in confusion. It was really hard to deal with a screaming newborn and a clingy, whiny toddler all at the same time. Not to mention, it was really really really hard simultaneously dealing with a screaming newborn, clingy, whiny toddler, and naughty, attention-deprived preschooler. We didn't plan on having Scarlett so soon after Georgia and it was a huge shock to the system. I just didn't have enough hands and honestly, still don't. You should see us try to go grocery shopping. We're like a friggin' three-ring circus, which, of course, innocent bystanders don't hesitate to point out to me.

Pros: That being said, there are so many things that I love about having my kids so close in age. They are each other's ever-present best friends. They learn from each other, but they're young enough that there are so many things that they learn with each other. They entertain one another really well (although I can assure you there's massive gobs of destruction and disorder in their wake). I love the thought of them growing up together and having a big rowdy house full of teenagers (crazy, I know ;). One of the things I love most is the idea of them having built-in peers. As my kids are so close in age, I will be having a senior, junior, and freshman in high school all at the same time...I'm really hoping that the peer pressure in this case will be a good thing. I also love the fact that I'm blowing through these baby years and will be done young. I guess the hope is that I can enjoy lots of middle-aged kid-less years to make up for the fact that I started so young.

When it comes to a recommendation, I really can't say. Something like that is so dependent on the parents. It's a good fit for me for a number of reasons: I'm young and have lots of energy, I love change so I really enjoy frequent pregnancies, I don't really feel the need to keep my children babies for very long, and I honestly don't mind being in baby-mode (although I could do without the massive amounts of money spent on diapers). So, if you fit those categories, you might do well with multiple small children.

As for baby #4...We've been attempting for about 6 months now without much luck. It's been a big shock to the system since the other three didn't take much effort (Ezra was the longest at 4 months, but he was our first and we were still working out all the cycle kinks, Georgia was a lucky first time, and Scarlett was our oops). We waited until Scarlett was 18 months to start trying to give us a bit of a break, but we really hoped to be well on our way to #4 by now. Oh well, in the words of Miss Doris Day, "Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be."

Hope you enjoyed the extra peek into me! Feel free to direct any additional questions to my formspring widget on the sidebar. Have a fabulous day!

11 comments:

Kristin Hanson said...

Us, too. It's a little annoying, seeing as how we didn't really try to get preggo with Evie and got preggo 3 months after stopping the pill. This time, my doc figured we'd get preggo really quick and I'm still waiting for those two pink lines to show up. Apparently, infertility is really common with celiacs, so we'll see in another few months if we can call ourselves that.

Megan said...

i love your honesty and openness. i have admired you for how well you handle your children and teach them. i have thought you crazy to have so many so close together and been so impressed by what great parents you and spenc are! good luck with the baby efforts. don't get stressed but relax, enjoy the efforts (he he) and hopefully your desires come true soon for you!

Aubrey said...

I'm glad you finally mentioned money on diapers 'cuz that's what I'm feeling right now. Diapers and formula! You are a great mother and if there is anyone who can take care of three kids so close together it's you. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you about baby #4. :)

Felicia said...

I love it! I was trying to figure out how you could have three kids when the last time I saw you, you only had one...but it wasn't worth the effort. Thanks for doing the math for me! :)

The Dooley Family said...

Woo hoo! You really are supermom :o) I'm sure baby number 4 will come along soon! We learned with our oops baby that it's all in the Lord' timing...which I KNOW you already know!!

Sheffer's said...

I can't wait for baby #4 to finally start growing, so I can live vicariously through you. Oh, and have a good excuse to invite your kids over to play and you to chat. ;) You're the best.

Catherine said...

Wow! can't believe you are trying again! You are amazing, I am freaking out because we just got pregnant with number three ( due april 29)and the whole I only have two arms how can i have three babies thing is a little scary.. or a lot scary, i don't know yet! but thanks for letting me know it is possible and even perfect for you! great post!

Caldwell Family said...

You're amazing Whitney! I have my first two close together, not completely by choice, but I agree with you on most every account. I like having them close, especially right now at ages 3 and 2. They LOVE to play together (and fight of course) but I really not sure how I'd handle a third so close. Two may be my limit at the closeness. :) But we'll see what happens and when #3 decides to show. :) But again, you are AMAZING!

holyoak said...

Guess what Whit! There is no such thing as a childless middle-age! hey are just adult children with whom you have little sway, but deep worries and great hopes. Once a mom always a mom!

As for #4, relax, we only have a part in procreation. Absolutely not in-charge of that one, and believe me I know a little bit about it!

Wow, I just saw the post below! Holy smokes what a great group of 1/2 Holyoaks!! Great pictures my dear. So many so well taken. I must ask, how many are Stephanie's? ; )

Hannah-girl said...

I love this. I think I'd like to have my kids close in age as well. My sister and I are four years apart, and until more recently we had a mother-daughter relationship as opposed to a friendship. But I did grow up with several cousins close to my age. Most of us lived within a 15 mile radius, so we had the same babysitter (usually an older cousin), went to the same school, were each others first best friends, and are still very close today. We were able to be that positive peer network for each other when we needed it, and it was such a blessing. It's great that your children get to be that for each other.

Yay for the hope of baby #4! Mind if I hope for a boy? :)

PS- I love that you sto- borrowed ;) my picture of Jesse. It's a good one of him, if I do say so myself. :)

Anonymous said...

I think you already know, that I think you are a wonderful mother. Your little kiddies have fun, but really strong personalities and I don't think that you and Spence are their parents by chance. You guys make a great team and your little ones are blessed to have you and Spence as parents. As for number four...hip-hip-horray!! I can't wait to start sewing blanket, upon blanket for your little one (whether they need them or not!!;)