And Then There Were Three

We have three kids. Three. Throughout my pregnancy I heard all sorts of comments like:
"Are you crazy?"
"Were you planning on three?"
"You know its going to be SO SO SO hard!"
"You are going to need so much help!"
"Three is so hard, just you wait!"

and on and on. I know that these people said these things because they love me. Believe it or not, I wanted three children, and maybe even more. I waited to be ready for a third, and I thought these people were crazy for saying these things to me. I was ready for a third and I was going to prove it not only to them- but mostly to myself. So I prepared myself for a hard baby. I would be cheerful no matter how hard it was. I didn't want to seem like I couldn't handle it. Because I could handle anything. And I would put on a cheerful face no matter what.

Well guess what? On june 4th 2010, Heavenly Father laid the easiest baby in our arms. I don't have to put on a cheerful face, the smile just appears without trying. Tanner is so calm and patient. Every moment is a joy! He eats every 3 hours, and has since birth. He has had no problem breast feeding. He sleeps in his crib, and he sleeps a LOT. When he wants to be held, wrapped up, fed, or changed (which is a lot), he whines mostly. And when he does scream, all we do is hold him and he stops immediately. He only wakes up twice in the night to eat- knock on wood. Our price for a sweet, calm little Tanner? Lots of poop. We are changing at least 13 diapers a day. He poops when he wakes up, while he is sleeping, before he eats, after he eats, even while he eats - which pretty talented I must say. But lots of poop really is a small price to pay to have it so easy.

The kids are so good as well. I once had a friend tell me that her third was her easiest. She is the only friend that has ever said anything remotely close to that. It was because the other two played so well together, that she did not have to entertain them, plus she is a "glass is half full kind of woman." I secretly hoped for that. I got it.

Annica and Eli are so, so sweet with the baby. Annica loves on him, and sings to hims and talks to him. She would sing to him for an hour if he would sit still for that long. Eli mostly ignores him. But when he does pay attention its all sweetness, kisses and giggles. I thought he would have some jealousy issues, but he hasn't. In fact when I am breastfeeding, Eli will come and talk my ear off. Why? Because he gets my undivided attention for 20 minutes. He knows I can't move, or clean, or blog. I am stuck, and he can tell me anything he wants. Who would have thought that he had so much to say?

What sweet moments children bring! What a joy life is right now. We feel so blessed to have three beautiful healthy, loving and patient children. And we know that Tanner was meant to be ours at this time in our lives! It really is a big sigh of relief to have him here healthy and perfect.