Wanna see some baby pictures?
Nothing lightens the mood like baby pictures.
Okay, so they’re 29w5d fetus pictures. But he’s got that same squished quality that newborns do.
We even caught him with his eyes open.
Considering that I spent the weekend doubting my ability to handle three kids - because there are days when I find it hard to clothe and feed myself, let alone anyone else - it was oddly reassuring to see this baby in such detail on an ultrasound monitor. It’s about as close to a crystal ball as you can get, seeing a little person move and blink and smile, just as we’ll see him do once he emerges.
My emotions have been all over the map for the past twenty-something weeks, but mostly I’ve been scared. I’m still scared. I feel much the same as I did when I was pregnant with Tacy: not in denial, but in disbelief.
Even though Tacy was planned, I was peeing on a stick before I’d even come to terms with the idea, let alone the reality, of a baby. I spent my pregnancy alternating between no-nonsense planning (I’ve still got the Gantt chart I created and maintained) and irrational wondering (maybe she’ll just stay in there, like, FOREVER).
My pregnancy with CJ was nearly as carefree as a pregnancy can be. We were secure in our jobs, we already had a daycare we loved, we had a crib and clothes and a much better idea of what those first weeks would entail. Generally speaking, it was a breeze.
While I wouldn’t characterize this pregnancy as breezy, it’s certainly less stressful than the first. I know the first few weeks months will suck be difficult, logistics and finances are under control, and for once we’ve actually got an entire ROOM set aside for the new occupant.
But my mind keeps wandering further ahead. To six dozen baby spoons and six hundred jars of food, to another full set of teeth breaking through, to THREE MORE YEARS OF DIAPERS.
My mother likes to tell the story of how I cried myself to sleep one night in first grade, agonizing over how I’d EVER make it through the fourth grade. I may be thirty years older now, but I still find myself worrying today about what’s going to happen three years from now, as if there’s a damn thing I can do about it.
I need to spend less time thinking about what I can’t control and more time looking at those baby pictures.
November 29th, 2007 at 6:46 am
I’m totally amazed at that detail. I’ve never been able to see much in ultrasound pictures, so while everyone around me would be oohing and aahing, I’d be like “cute blob.” Those shots are really stunning.
I’ve heard, from parents who’ve gone that particular distance, that the transition from 1 to 2 kids is a lot harder than 2 to 3. You’re a pro by now.
November 29th, 2007 at 6:53 am
I hate to say, “it will all be ok,” but it will. Really.
If I can do it (surprise third pregancy resulting in quitting my job and staying home) anyone can.
Feel free to call me anytime. Really! I mean it. I can’t say I know ‘exactly’ how you feel, but I’ve probably been pretty close.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:09 am
You can do it all and do it well, I promise you can. I’m just like you, two girls and then a boy. Except I’m watching from the “other side” now that the thousands and thousands of diapers are well behind us. I firmly believe that once you learn to handle three, you could handle twelve! Not that I’ve ever been willing to actually test that theory.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Oh and those baby pics are amazing. The one thing about having older kids is that I’m contiually jealous of the new-fangled things that mothers have today. Amazing ultrasound pictures. Blogs to record every minute detail.
…and strollers with cup holders. That one affects me the most.
November 29th, 2007 at 7:26 am
Amazing photos! How exciting to be able to see such detail. It’s amazing how far technology has come.
You’ve done a fantastic job mothering two. I’m sure you’ll be just as great at mothering three.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:01 am
baby pictures fix everything!!!
they are amazing!
November 29th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Those are wonderful! I am pimpled with goosebumps. You and Kyle will be fantastic with three - and a boy. Tacy & CJ will be wonderful older sisters.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:57 am
you have articulated exactly how I feel. It’s comforting to know someone else is scared and in a bit of denial. MPP however is over the moon as is his father.
Those photos are incredible. Looking at them will definitely make you feel better!
MPPs Mom (EDD 5/08)
November 29th, 2007 at 9:03 am
I think it is so amazing the things our mind and body do to prepare us for the next phase. I am pregnant with my third and echo a lot of what you have written here. Congratulations on a gorgeous baby and a healthy set of nerves.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:21 am
I can completely relate to worrying about things way in the future that are out of your control. My son has taken on this trait, too, poor thing.
Lovely pictures, he looks amazing! You’ll be great with three (and with a boy!).
November 29th, 2007 at 10:26 am
a- Congratulations!!
b- wow! I would never have believed there would be any way to take a pick of the unborn baby! The clarity is exceptional!
c- Congratulations!!
November 29th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Amazing pictures. A third child is a bit more work, of course my 3rd was 10 years after my 2nd. I guess being older didn’t help me much. Good Luck.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Aww, he is so cute! I can’t believe it’s been 29 weeks already!
Adding a third child is really not that difficult, I promise. Especially since Tacy and CJ are old enough to help out. You’ll do great!
November 29th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I am one of three kids, and it was WONDERFUL. Loved it. I think you’ll all be great!!!
(And how awesome are those photos?! Chubby cheeks and everything!)
November 29th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
The little baby cheeks!
And lips!
I can’t believe that’s all going ON in there!
I know that I live with a bundle that’s about 14 or so pounds of pure WHOOP-ASS and I can’t imagine how people do it with TWO kids.
But they do it. I get the future-thinking thing as well, MGM. I think it’s all relative and you’re going to be GREAT.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
You nailed it in your last paragraph: let go of the things you can’t control. Remember that nothing is permament: not diapers, not childhood, not life… just take it for what it is and enjoy. You are pregnant with a VERY cute baby! Enjoy it now, and deal with what comes later!
November 29th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
It will be wonderful, I promise. I have two girls and a baby boy, and it’s like having three mommies in the house. They dote on him. Well, except when he’s teething, but that’s why they make the little stinkers so adorable. Even the teething is bearable.
He’s a beauty. What a sweet, sweet mooshy face!
November 30th, 2007 at 12:15 am
I have 3-year old triplets that took me almost 10 years to conceive. A week after they turned two, I found out I was “SURPRISE!” pregnant with my fourth. Even with four children that are ALL in diapers, having a new baby is so unbelievably wonderful. I absolutely adore him. I was scared sh*tless how I was going to manage with four small children, but I’ll tell you what - it’s so awesome I’m thinking about a fifth.
And I don’t mean a fifth of gin.
It will be great. You will do great and you’d never want for your life to be any different once he arrives.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Oh. Let me wipe up this little puddle that used to be my heart…..
There. Much better.
He is precious. The 3D ultrasounds are incredible. I just love that squished-up-baby look.
I don’t know how my Mom did it….she had 8 kids in 14 years. No, she is not locked up in the rubber room, nor does she drink (too much).
You will do a wonderful job raising your 3 kids.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:47 am
I remember one particularly difficult afternoon when I was pregnant with Kenny and home taking care of my other two girls.
I was one year into an online business that was growing faster than I could keep up with and stressed over it.
Then, we went to the grocery store and I had one hand for each child and I literally freaked out right in the middle of the parking lot.
It was THAT moment where I realized I didn’t have three hands. Which sounds silly, but so true. OH MY GOODNESS…how was I going to do this with THREE?
I spent the rest of the day fretting over it and told Mr. OMSH when he came home. He calmed my nerves by holding out his two hands and saying, “No, not 2 hands, we have 4.”
I don’t know why, but that did it for me. I was okay after that b/c I knew I wasn’t alone in the whole thing.
And neither are you sweet momma!
November 30th, 2007 at 10:14 am
[…] “Wanna see some baby pictures?” from mother goose mouse. As she stares down the barrel of her third child, MGM contemplates on what it’ll be like to have three more years of diapers, among other things. On the other hand, she tells herself to not worry about what the future holds and instead enjoy the moment. Hard to do, I know it! […]
November 30th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
It sounds so cliche to say “It’ll be okay!” but really, it will.
I just know it.
November 30th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Number 2 is doing this to me too. It freaks me right the hell out. I suppose that’s normal.
November 30th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Put those girls to work!
You’ll see you’ll have them trained in no time.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
He is gorgeous–these 3D ultrasounds are amazing! I can see hints of both big sisters in how he looks, I think.
You’re going to be great. Gantt chart, indeed!
November 30th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Oh yeah. Focus on the pictures. Great ones they are too! We had some with Holden & I swear he still looks exactly like those ultrasound photos. Those 3D shots are amazing.
December 1st, 2007 at 8:35 am
Holy cow, those 3D ultrasounds are amazing. He is so cute! I am so envious since this wasn’t around when I was pregnant with Monkey Man.
I was going to say - if you have any doubt you can do it, I have no doubt in my mind you can. You’re one of the best project managers EVER. And if you can do all that fancy shit, you know you can more than handle three kids. Seriously.
December 1st, 2007 at 10:51 am
OK, seriously, that 1st one looks just like Kyle. OMG!!!
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:47 am
Those are amazing! I wish ours had so much detail.
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:07 am
I am always amazed at 3D ultrasounds. He looks content, cozy and incredibly cute!
December 2nd, 2007 at 9:18 pm
you are echoing a lot of my feelings. I’m happy but shocked. Some days I sit down and cry thinking how the hell will I cope? At the same time I can sit down and cry, worried that something will go wrong any minute and this will all be undone and i will feel so empty and sad.. It’s just weird.. and complex.. and really to much for my hormone addled brain to sort out.
The pictures are amazing. Squishy baby cheeks already! *love love love*
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Those pictures are amazing! Those cheeks are just waiting to be kissed.
I’m keeping busy with two, but you have perfectly voiced what I would be feeling if a third was on the way (which would be the case if my husband was in charge). No words of wisdom here except that I’m sure you’ll do great.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Holy cow, how ever did I miss this post? Those pictures are just so so cool. And you do know you’ll get through this, right? You’ve got us. Well, not to change the diapers. But to cheer you on while you do.
December 6th, 2007 at 8:58 am
I love the baby pictures! I somehow missed this too and clicked over from Mama T.
You’re going to be fine. Take a deep breath and hang in there. If things get nutty, just get out and catch a movie by yourself after the new baby is here and things settle down…I know I know… (always have an escape plan…just an hour or two can do wonders!)
December 7th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Okay, I totally missed this post and am absolutely wigged-out about these baby pictures.
My youngest is 6 and hers look like a fuzzy lump of, well, I think I might have even had a lot of gas that day!
I’m with my friend, Jamie - escape plans have always worked for me!
You, however, will be much better at it…I bet!