1st and 3rd Difference

Just some subtle (and not so subtle) differences I've noticed between our very first pregnancy (which began about 6 years ago) and our current pregnancy with number three.  Maybe some of these ring true for you too? ... and maybe not.  Maybe some of them will give you a giggle this fine Tuesday.

1. First pregnancy, you belted it from the roof tops at the very first sign of the extra pink line that you were pregnant. Seriously, we were only about 6 or 7 weeks along when we literally announced to the whole world (or at least all of our social media followers) that we were expecting.  Third pregnancy, we didn't even tell our FAMILY that we were pregnant until we we were 13 weeks along.

2. First pregnancy, you received thousands of congratulatory texts and calls.  Your family and friends  were borderline annoying because they were driving you absolutely batty asking you 100 bazillion questions about how things were going and how baby was doing every 5 seconds.  Third pregnancy, people start to wonder if "you know what makes this happen".... I've never thought of 3 as a lot of kids, but suddenly being pregnant with a 3rd child, people look at me as if I have five eyes.  Not so much excitement!

3.  First pregnancy, the husband was at EVERY single doctor's appointment.  Including the ever so awkward ones where a male doctor had to "check" things in the Netherlands.... Third pregnancy, the husband has made it to one appointment--the big anatomy ultrasound of course.  For one, someone has to stay back at home to watch our first 2 rug-rats, and for two, you learn that the appointments are really not all that interesting.

4.  First pregnancy-- the baby registries!  Oh the baby registries... we had registries at 2 different stores, but I know people who have had more than that, and we also had 3 different baby showers.  SOOO much baby stuff!  And you don't do the registry on your own, you drag your husband with you even though he has NOT the slightest clue what any of these baby items you are registering for are.  Third pregnancy, you know better.... you know that more than half of the baby gadgets that are marketed to you are completely unnecessary because you took them all to the consignment store new and unopened shortly after your first was born.  You also most likely are not having a baby shower, so you're a savvy shopper hitting sales and only buying what you actually NEED.  (again... people are a little less excited.)

5. First pregnancy, you are on a first name basis with your doctor or midwife because you call them so many times.  (OR, if you aren't calling them, you show up to your appointment with a notepad of questions you have written down throughout the week.)  There are so many unknowns, and while you are reading every single "what to expect", "week by week," book that exists and have every single pregnancy info and tracker app on your phone, you STILL need to be sure that what you are doing is right.  Third pregnancy, baby will be fine..... surely he will be fine.

6.  First pregnancy, you absolutely did NOT eat lunch meat, hot dogs, sushi, or seafood.  You wouldn't even smell it!!  Third pregnancy, when you're craving sushi, you go get it.  And when you're feeling too lazy to make that salad at lunch time, you toss some sliced turkey meat on some white bread and you have at it.  Because surely he will be fine.

7.  First pregnancy when asked about your birth plan, you have a five page essay of all the possible scenarios that could potentially come up in delivery.  You do NOT miss a thing!  You've spent hours upon hours researching every single item in all of those books you have been reading.  Third pregnancy, the birth plan is "push baby out.".... You know the drill by now. You've done it twice already so it's just time to keep it simple.... just two words, "have baby" sounds like a great birth plan.

8.  First pregnancy, you CANNOT wait to have this baby.  You are so focused on that estimated due date and so focused on making time FLY.  You crave and need time to go by fast because you want that baby RIGHT NOW!  (In fact, looking back I sort of kick myself for rushing things along and not relishing.)  Third pregnancy, you know at the end you have a baby that cries and poops and pees and wants to eat around the clock.  You also know that you have two other kids that run and scream and eat around the clock.  It's much easier to take care of baby "on the inside."  Not so much a rush to get to the date anymore the third time around, baby can stay in there as long as he/she wants.

9.  First pregnancy as you near the end, you show up to the doctor's office at every single tiny twinge of pain.  Everyone says, "you'll know" when you are in labor, but you haven't the slightest clue what a contraction feels like, and again, in your head time will fly and time HAS to fly because you are so ready for this baby whether your body really is or not.  (Confession, I went to the women's hospital twice the last week of pregnancy with the first practically begging to be admitted and I was not in labor.)  Third pregnancy, you know the drill.  In fact, you might barely make it to the hospital because you spent more time at home than you probably should have.  You knew you were in labor, and you knew your birth plan was simple, just "have baby."

10.  AND last, but certainly not least.... First pregnancy, you couldn't imagine loving a tiny little human SOOO much!!  You're attached from the start of the extra pink line on the test and you are absolutely smitten and so thankful that God has blessed you with this tiny little heart to love on and enjoy as he/she grows.  And when baby finally makes his/her debut, you are speechless and in awe and SO in love! ..... Third pregnancy, you couldn't imagine loving a tiny little human SOOO much!!  You're attached from the start of the extra pink line on the test and you are absolutely smitten and so thankful that God has blessed you with this tiny little heart to love on and enjoy as he/she grows.  And when baby finally makes his/her debut, you are speechless and in awe and SO in love!