Wow 3 kids?!!! That's it right?!

As parents I think we all can agree that we become hyper sensitive to other peoples opinions.   We feel constantly judged on our parenting skills, approach and all other aspects of parenthood.  

When I had my first the pressure was on whether or not I was doing things the right way. After all the entire experience is new.  As a first time mom you worry if you are using the right lotions, the right diaper brand. You worry about everything.

Being a mother of 3 comes with its own unique sets of judgments and doubt.  Society looks at you differently.   I encountered a lot of comments such as "congratulations,  wow you guys kept real busy". A friend of my husband on his instagram actually posted a congratulations that ended by saying "take a break until the next one". Who does that?

Being a parent and especially being a mom is tough in our current society because some people don't know what neat little box to place you in.  Most of us are working moms, career women. Shouldnt you be focusing on your career and not on being a baby factory?  

I want to tell you there is nothing wrong with having more than one child. If you can provide for that child and provide them a safe environment to grow than it is no ones business how many you plan on having.

It is not OK and actually down right rude to tell a parent "that's it right, youre not planning

to have more right? ".

Surround yourself by kind people, stand up for yourself.  Dont let others doubts and insecurities be projected onto you and your family.

To the nay sayers in my life, I have three kids,  get over it.

Baby "Sip and See" Welcoming Party. 

With baby #3 we were unsure if we should have another baby shower.

With our first, Adrian, we threw our first baby shower. All guns ablazing. No matter the cost mentality.  It was our one and only at the time, go big or go home.  We took part of all the baby shower cliches.  Such as the wierd shower games and useless party favors that I'm sure made their way into people's "why do we have this?" pile once they got home.  Seriously,  who puts blue almonds in plastic blue painted baby shoe molds on a tiny pillow? New parents thats who.

With our second, Sophia,  it was our first attempt at a baby girl shower.  This time I really took the reins on what I wanted. Not what I was expected to do.  It was purple hues and florals, sure there was pink but not like a pepto bismal explosion.   I focused on making sure that things with true meaning were where we invested our efforts and money.  The favors were bamboo plants in pretty cube glass vases with pebbles.   To add a spurce of color each one had a single orchid stem (plastic) it came together very pretty and we used them as our center pieces as well. It was something people could take to their homes and enjoy for time to come.

Now with our third child and second girl, Jaguar,  we wondered if it was even proper to throw another shower, especially since the last one was only two years ago.  We had plenty of baby gear and so we knew we didn't want to make a big fancy party where people felt obligated to bring a gift.   We wanted to celebrate this new blessing but in a less stressful way.

So we took to pinterest and looked up baby welcomings and turns out its a real thing.  Mostly called a Sip and See. Lots of parents were looking for the same laid back after the birth celebrations like we were.

Last night was our Sip and See celebration for Jaguar and it was great.  It was exactly what we wanted relaxed get together where the attention was on the new baby.  Something about a newborn really melts people's heart.  She was the center of all conversation and all anyone wanted was to hold her.  We didnt spend much on decorations or needless favors.

We spruced up the place with a balloon arc which let me tell you was worth its wight in gold. It was bold big and beautiful so despite our minimal decor the space still looked decorated.  The next item I took pride in was the cake which was beautifully decorated with an owl theme.  I sent 4 pictures to be printed at Staples on their Engineer prints and for less than 12 bucks I had 4 large prints in black and white of Jaguar as a newborn in the hospital.

We were blessed with a great time and our guests honered the new baby with their presence. Some chose to bring gifts but out of the kindness of their heart not out of obligation.

It was such a wonderful moment that I know we made the right choice.

What no one warned me about having 3 kids

What no one warned me about having three kids.

There were lots of opinions when I announced my third pregnancy.  Somehow one was okay, two was expected but three was a shocker to some people. I received a lot of advice on how juggling three would be more difficult and how thin I'd be spreading myself.

However 6 weeks into being a mother of 3 I have faced things no one warned me about, no one even mentioned the constant worry and fear.

Adrian, my eldest, is in Kindergarten.  Kindergarten is ground zero for all sorts of germs and everything you DONT want your kids to get.

The chain of contagion is as follows. Other kids are sent sick to school, Adrian plays with said sick kid. Adrian comes home touches everyone and everything and so my poor Sophia catches whatever is going around in school.  Adrian is pretty healthy and fights off germs and infections easily.  Sophia is 2 years and a half and was breastfed until she was 2 years old. As a baby she was never sick (thank you breast milk nutrients).

Now add to this mix a newborn and enter panic mode ALL THE TIME.   I have never washed
my hands so obsessively in my life. I am single handedly responsible for Lysol disinfectant products stocks going up from my nonstop cleaning of all surfaces.  

No one was allowed in my house near the baby until recently from fear she'd catch a cold.  On top of everything this is one of the worst winters New York city has experienced recently.  

Jaguar is a winter baby, everyone was sick during a time she was a defenseless newborn.   And the kids are always giving each other one thing or the other and I stand back with Jaguar tightly held  in horror if one of them sneezes.

I was sure I'd breastfeed again but now I am even more committed because I want to shield her from everything.  

I'm sure this might not have anything to do with having 3 kids. I bet any mom has these fears with one or however many they might have.

But having kids is having your heart living outside of your body. And I've got mine split in three.

Moby wrap Review

  As I researched a more comfortable carrier I came across the Moby Wrap.  When I first saw the videos on it I thought there is no way I would be able to figure out how to wrap this thing.  I was sure I'd somehow drop my baby.

Then a friend recommended it and said it was very easy to use and that I should try it. Ever the skeptic I was still not convinced.  However what did it for me was the fact that now I am running around caring for THREE kids. The oldest is five and the middle child is only two.  Now I need my hands free more than ever.

So I took the plunge and ordered the Moby Wrap,  fully ready to return it. As I unwrapped this long fabric, at least 15 feet long my heart was racing I thought I will not be able to figure this out. But I stuck with it.

I looked at the instructions and put on a video from YouTube to help guide me. TOOK A DEEP BREATH  and started.

 I was only confused for about 5 minutes. I followed the direction and I cannot express how easy it was to figure out. Then we tested it with baby Jaguar and it was instant magic. Baby was comfortable and I felt comfortable.  Jaguar is 6 weeks old and 12 pounds and I could barely feel her.

The wrap is supposed to be good up till 45 pounds. Ive got a 2 year old shes 30 pounds what a great opportunity to test that claim. She fit! Set up the basic wrap and it took a little more effort but I was able to put her in and it did not kill my back.  She was all smiles. My 2 year old, Sophia, is used to walking every where so I dont need to put her in the wrap but I'm glad to know that Jaguar isnt going to outgrow the Moby anytime soon.

Look out for the update after we put the wrap to use and test it out.  I wanted to write about the initial experience.  The first time ever trying the wrap to see if its even worth getting and I can say I already love it.

FIRST TIME MOBY WRAP SCOPE

Took me 32 seconds to set up basic cradle wrap after practicing only a couple times, seriously about 5 minutes practice.

So comfortable and gender neutral style my husband was happy to try it on too

Was so impressed with how easy it is that I had my mom try it on too.

It gets 5 stars for first time user ease of set up.

Avent Day and Night disposable nursing pads review

When I purchased my new (for the third time) Avent manual breast pump in the box they included a sample nursing pad for their day amd night lines.

I usually use the Lansinoh disposable pads, have done so for a long time. I nursed my daughter for two years and am now nursing my newborn ( code name Jaguar).

I was excited to try them.  Since I've used the Lansinoh pads for so long and liked them I never would have purchased the Avent ones.  

Avent has one type of nursing pad for day use and another for night use.  The day one is thicker than the Lansinoh pads. These have the texture and feel of sanitary pads like the Always pads.  I didnt like the extra tough texture they felt unnecessarily thick.   The Avent pads felt like they would show through the shirt but they didnt despite the extra bulkiness.   They were effective at absorbing leakage and contained their form.  I wouldn't say the day Avent nursing pads were terrible but I wouldn't switch my current pads for these.

The night Avent pads were better than expected.   They were slightly bigger in diameter than the Lansinoh pads and still had that thicker feel to them like heavy flow sanitary pads but they too did not show through my t shirt. They absorbed any leakage overnight and staying in place with no problems.  They were comfortable and I would consider purchasing the night Avent pads for when Jaguar starts sleeping longer during the night and my body takes time to adjust to fewer night time feedings.


THE SCOPE ON AVENT NURSING PADS:

Both the day and the night Avent nursing pads come with an adhesive tape on the back to keep them in place.

Both were absorbant and held their shape.

Neither the day nor the night Avent pads snowed through the nursing bra. Once I put on a T shirt I could not see them.

Both have a bulky feel to them. Cotton on the side that goes on the skin but the outside appears like the back of a sanitary pad instead which I didn't like.

Overall I would say if you dont already have a preference or dont know which disposable nursing pads to use try these out. At the very least the night ones.

Someone should have warned me. That pregnancy the second time around does nt get any easier. Seven months into this pregnancy and I still can't seem to get the hang of things. From finding out I was pregnant 3 months into the pregnancy to overcoming some serious new obstacles. My first pregnancy was smooth sailing. Picture of perfect health so much so it surprised me. Working insane schedules and living off take out I expected to be severely scolded by my doctor. Yet to mine and several others surprise I was fine. Five days past my dues date we welcomed a beautiful baby boy. Eight pounds five ounces and twenty one inches of pure love. Fast forward almost three years and here we are again. After such a great experience I said sure I would love more children, heck five more would be fine. Enter pregnancy number two. I think I have hit every branch on the annoying and scary pregnancy tree. Everything is new all over again and I have had to overcome obstacles I never thought I would face in pregnancy at twenty six years old. That's why I creates this blog. To get your eggs Sunnyside up sometimes you gotta crack a few ones first