Crazy enough to have 3 club

When I told a friend of mine I was pregnant months and months ago, she gave me a great big hug and said: so you are part of the "crazy enough to have 3 club". She had just had her third son, so she completely understood the journey we were about to embark upon.

Last week I met a mom at swim class and when she heard I was pregnant she gasped. "Wow you are CRAZY!"

Sometime in the past week I ran into a mom I know who has one boy Charlie's age. She watched her son, his friend, and my kids dance around new leaf acting crazy and happy and she said: "Are you freaking out about having 3?"

A few nights ago I was at a birthday party for one of Charlie's friends and I was talking to a new mom. She has a five week old and was completely honest when I asked how it was going. She said: We have good moments, bad moments, good days, bad days. It's hard.
I totally remember how hard things seemed the first time around. But honestly the second time around nothing phased me. I packed everyone up everyday and headed outside. I nursed as much as I wanted, slept when they slept, and survived.
Towards the end of the night the same mom came up to me and in all honesty said: How are you going to handle 3, Sarah? The look in her face was so sincere.

I assume these types of comments will not end once I am out and about with two kids and a baby. While on the bluffs with the kids and Lily at least one person says everytime, "You got your hands full"
While I love afternoon walks on the beach alone (the few times they have happened), I love having my hands full.
When the mom of the newborn at the party honestly asked how I would handle three I wasn't sure how to answer. Of course there will be hard moments, hard days. But in that instant I had been at the party for over an hour. I had chatted with my friends, ate some snacks, drank some water, and sat back on a comfortable chair and watched my wonderful kids play with other kids. My hands were free from the second I got there all the way home, except for the parts where Charlie wanted me to hold him on his lap (way past his bedtime). But my lap is big enough for two, my patience has been tested and expanded and I know it can withstand the moments of stress that are bound to come with welcoming a newborn into our content family.
Am I crazy to have 3? I guess. Compared to everyone around me...as we are one of the few families I know that are going for 3. But two was crazy. Even one was crazy.
Yesterday our family rode bikes, played tennis, went to the park, and finished the day at a beautiful secluded beach. The kids helped me search for sea glass, ran and jumped of sandy cliffs and we all enjoyed every minute. As we were making the trek back to the car, Adam and the kids raced ahead. The sun was dropping providing the amazing light at sunset, the fields were covered in gorgeous yellow flowers, the mountains were just ahead of us, with a big blue ocean behind us. I had nothing but love in my heart for my little cute family, and nothing but excitement that one more little soul is going to join us soon.
Day after day my kids spend hours playing together. Right now they are in the playroom making superhero soup in the kitchen, and early they were playing their new favorite game: Mole Rat, where they hide under couch cushion and pop up and say mole rat.
My hands are free.

Last week I went over the hill to go to four different stores and there was not one problem. As soon as I got home I had to turn around and go right back to the doctor. It was naptime, kids had been in a car or stores all day, and they did great. They are helpful, silly, able to understand, and follow basic directions. They are potty trained, play independently, and are happy most of the time. So yes I can do it. I have no choice, it is happening.

Helping at Trader Joe's

Helping at Whole Foods

Happily waiting at the docs office...

Am I ready to also be carrying a baby that needs to be changed, nursed and rocked 24-7...no not yet....but I am sure come May I will be. And for the moments I am not feeling it...I will call upon one of these cuties to help.