There was an interesting article in the newspaper this past week about how parents spend more time with first-born children than their later-born siblings. I concede that is true. I do my best to spend time with my second-born, but sometimes I have to listen to his older brother read to me or help him with his homework (preschool homework--so nothing too tedious yet).
Now, with number three child kicking my internal organs all day long, I wonder how much of my time this child will get. This baby will be carted around as his/her brothers have activities and school to attend. But there will be individual time for him/her, too. I think articles like this can make a parent feel guilty, but I have refused to feel that way. I do the best I can, and that is all I am asked to do.
But it is curious to think about.
When I was pregnant with my first son, I had the baby crib and changing table purchased by the time I was 4 months pregnant. I had everything ready long before he was born--which was good since he was a couple of weeks early.
With his brother, I had the crib and baby clothes sorted out by the time I was six months pregnant.
Yesterday, I finally got the crib mattress raised and the baby clothes sorted out (but not washed yet) for this new addition. I am 34 weeks pregnant--8 1/2 months. And I need to at least buy one pack of newborn diapers, right? Maybe he/she will need a baby book, too--one that probably will not be written in very much.
Woe to you, second and third borns! You get gypped, I know. But at least you will always have that older sibling to imitate and get in trouble.
But you also have a mother and father who have been through this before. They know not to pick you up out of the crib if you aren't crying. They know feeding cues better. They are less apt to make mistakes in the early days of no sleep.
Whatever happens, I guarantee that this life will be interesting.
