So here it was, DAY ONE of my pregnancy with the hope of baby number 3 at the end of it all. Baby number 3…! Wow I never thought I would hear myself saying that. When I was young..er(!) I had imagined me grown up with a loving husband and two children, a boy and a girl. How lucky I was to have ended up with just that. I can honestly say that three children had not even occurred to me.
Joshua was born in October 2006, a tiny 5lb 2 oz, followed by Grace in June 2009 a generous 7lb 6oz. After Grace was born I felt a surprising emotion. One I put down to the idea that I would not experience pregnancy again. I felt broody! My friends who had just had their second babies said that they were DONE. No more, they were complete. Weirdly I didn’t feel this way – enormously happy at having two beautiful healthy children – yes – but DONE…not quite? I knew three was not in the plan though and my husband was more than happy with two so our paths seemed set.
So life settled down to the busy routine of motherhood and running my photography business, planning my weddings around breast feeding and toddlerdom. It was a crazy time but I (mostly!) enjoyed the madness.
Time passed and the children grew taller. The subject of a third child got raised a few times, tossed around and then put back in the box. Nice idea but too impractical, only one hand for each child to hold, think of the holidays, cars, costs, mayhem, middle child syndrome, impact on my business potential, rocking the boat – we have a boy and a girl and so the list went on.
More time passed, Joshua started primary school and Grace finally starting sleeping through the night, potty trained and became my wonderful little companion when Joshua was at school. Life was becoming easier and I was even starting to imagine what I would do with all that ‘free’ time once Grace started school next year….
But then I had a moment. My friend and fellow school Mum dropped her daughter off one morning so I could take her to school as she had to work early that day. I don’t know if it was the intimacy of breakfast (normally only reserved for my own family) but seeing the three children sat round the table together formed an image in my mind. I liked the dynamic and so the broody box was opened once more.
This time and much to my surprise my husband was much more open to the idea. Things were more stable for him at work as he was at the head of a new but growing business. The children were easier, it could be fun, it’s madness anyway so why not! Will we regret it later if we didn’t give it a try? Quite a turn around.
We decided not to rush into things though so mulled over the thought for a month and I secretly quizzed as many mothers to three children on ‘life with three children’ as I could without trying to give the game away. It was good to hear that although it was hard work it was also rewarding and fun and was reassured to see that none had gone grey overnight!
So we tried and then the day came for the test – 10th April 2012. It was a test much earlier than I thought it should be but after a weekend of feeling quite queasy I decided to bite the bullet. As the digital display started flashing awaiting the result I even thought ‘well that was a waste of a stick’ when suddenly up it popped – PREGNANT.
And so the journey for bump began. Welcome to the first trimester…and all it was about to bring.
