…AND Pistachio makes five
Does anyone know how to:
1. Manage a household of three kids under 5?
2. Not let them throw a coup, even when they outnumber the grown-ups?
3. Stock a tiny freezer full of food in preparation?
4. Convince a 4-year-old girl that she just might get another brother, against her heart’s desire?
5. Explain to a culture where two kids separated seven years apart is the norm that we are NOT, indeed, crazy?
6. Fly internationally with a five-year-old, a two-year-old, and a six-month-old?
7. Convince an 18-month-old that Mama’s tummy can not be a trampoline?
8. Handle a double stroller on potholed, cobblestoned roads and broken, rambling sidewalks?
9. Pay for everyone you know and love to fly 29 hours and be here for those first few months?
10. Write a book while running a household, parenting two kids, homeschooling one of them, managing and writing a blog, editing several others, and working as webmaster for a non-profit — all while handling cross-culture and language barriers? Because I’m all ears on that one.
Despite all this, we couldn’t be happier, and we are thrilled with God’s blessing in our family. I’ve been queasier than my other two pregnancies, and I also feel more tired (perhaps this is because I didn’t have two other kids to chase during my other two pregnancies…).
I’m also showing signs of having low progesterone, so my doctor had me run to the local pharmacy to get on some progesterone supplements (you don’t need a prescription for anything here). She’s on vacation, and when I called her cell to make an appointment, she answered while sitting on the beach. She said, “Call me on Monday, and you can come in then — in the meantime, take those supplements and get some rest.” Gotta love the laid-back prenatal care here.
So if you could pray that these supplements will do the trick, and that my body will start increasing its progesterone levels on its own, I’d appreciate it. We’ll find out for sure if this is the problem when she runs the tests this next week. But all the symptoms are lining up.
posted: 09 July 18
under: family
We’re expecting #1 in February also… looking forward to traveling this journey with you!
Oh, my goodness! CONGRATULATIONS! The picture is adorable and the news is even better. You will do great at this. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how your Four will rise to the occasion and be a genuinely good helper, and even though it will be a challenge when they’re little, they will grow up close together in a loving home. Interesting about the seven-years-apart culture difference….I wish I lived where you are! My two children are almost five years apart, and I’ve had to explain far more times than I cared to that no, we didn’t have any problems and yes, this was our idea.
Blessings to you for a comfortable pregnancy!
Congratulations Tsh and family! That is such exciting news. You’ll be in our thoughts and prayers.
How exciting! I must say…I noticed a couple of days ago that the lady in the blogger header kinda looked preggo and I wondered what that meant….
Congratulations! I’m really enjoying y’all’s nicknames.
Congratulations! What a blessing. I know first hand the enormous blessing an untimed pregnancy can be. At first, there was immense shock and then came the utter humbleness of God’s PERFECT timing! I can’t wait to read all the new chickisms that evolve from this.
Also, if you need a shoulder, I did the progesterone with Andy. The side effects can be pretty intense.
We’ll keep you in our prayers!
Congratulations!
We are praying for you.
1. You’ll do awesome!
2. You’ll do awesome!
3. If anyone can do it…you can! Also, maybe you should hire your super cool house helper for an extra day or two in the beginning. ;o)
4. Our kids are 50/50 on the issue, so one of them will get their wish. ;o) Good luck with that one!
5. Just smile and nod, or wear matching outfits as if you’re from some organized group or something and it’s just a daycare. ;o) You could even do name tags w/ made-up names.
6. You’ll do awesome!
7. Pretty much daily reminders are the norm around here.
8. Get a double BOB! http://www.bobgear.com/strollers/
Maybe you could do a giveaway and get one yourself to review. They’re the best…although I don’t personally have one, Ryan says I have stroller envy. Not the most practical for storing in your tiny spaces, and might be a little tough in crowded areas, but so easy to push…maybe you should stick to wearing one and pushing the other.
9. They’re the grandparents, they’ll figure something out. ;o)
10. You’ll do awesome! I have faith in you. And I’ll be praying for you. ;o)
In all seriousness, we’re so excited for y’all and know that you will do great! Guess we’re going to have to plan another trip over there unless we want to wait all the way ’til next summer huh!?!
_LOVE_ the nickname
congrats!
congrats to you guys! know it’s exciting & daunting all at the same time! will be praying God’s mercies & a pleasant pregnancy for you! woo hoo!
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I’m a loyal SimpleMom reader and I just wanted to say congratulations! We’re a family of five, too (3.5, almost 2, and 3 months), and we understand what you mean about people thinking you’re crazy. And it can be a bit crazy, but it’s wonderful, too! We’ll be praying for you!
A huge and heartfelt CONGRATS to you and your family!!!!!!! Enjoy the miracle of double-heartedness.
congratulations and you’ll figure all the rest of that stuff out as you go.
You’ll do great! One day/moment at a time. Congratulations!
Jamie
I have some experience with #8 (double pram + potholes) from our wonderful time as expats in Egypt. I think Jane Powertwin is a good brand (from the UK) – very sturdy. Many people were walking around with wonky wheels while we continued to glide forward, straight and true. We got ours used off another expat and it was quite helpful. (Actually, just looking around where you are to see which strollers are not broken will be a good clue as to what you should buy.)
Another thing I did was double babywearing (smaller one in front in a buddah-carry using a wrap, larger one on my back in an Ergo). It was hot, and I attracted a lot of attention, but I found it much easier to navigate in tiny shops with narrow aisles. Great for postpartum weight loss, too! And of course you can do what I do now, which is babywear one, and put another in a single stroller.
Please try to take it easy and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Someone else suggested hiring extra household help, and if that’s an option for you, do it! A peaceful mama means a peaceful family. Enjoy!
Congrats on #3. I am currently expecting my third and a bit nervous about going from man to man defense to zone defense, but can’t wait to meet this little man. Blessing for your pregnancy.
Congratulations! Love the blog header, too.
Congratulations to you and your family! We’ll send prayers your way. My husband asked me why I was reading about cleaning by Angelina Jolie….what? I said….he saw your e book on my nightstand and the picture of you on the back he thought was Angelina Jolie with shorter hair. Have a great day!
Congratulations! What a blessing. It will be crazy but fun. I have a niece 5, nephews 7 &9. The noise level can get a bit high at times but they are great pals. Traveling though..they haven’t:) Hope you are feeling better and have a healthy pregnancy!
Umm… Tell your husband thanks. That would be a first for me!
Well, the hints in your weekend links over at Simple Mom were too cute!
Congratulations!!
Wow! What exciting news!! Congratulations. Love you blog(s)! You are amazing, as will be evidenced even more when baby Pistachio makes his/her entrance. Blessings sent to you! R
Congratulations! News of a new baby is always so exciting!
Congratulations!
Fabulous news. Congratulations!
I noticed the new header before you made the announcement. Congratulations!
There’s nothing like #3 to knock your priorities back in order. For me, it has been the first time I’ve been able to relax fully and appreciate the new baby experience.
Congrats! So exciting! I love the picture of your family above. I’d be interested to know how you survive without coffee during pregnancy?
Again, so many congrats, Tsh. I have no thoughts for you on managing three, other than you’ll find your groove in no time, I am sure of it!
Congratulations, Tsh! That’s wonderful news! What a blessed child to have you all as his/her family!
I’m expecting #3 in January, and my two “older” girls will be 3 years and 8 months, and 1 year and 8 months when baby comes. I hear its all about moving from “man-to-man” defense, to “zone” defense (like in basketball)…..although when its just me and the kids, right now its already zone defense!
I am with you in trusting that God has a plan for me in this – with the timing and spacing of our children. They are a blessing, and yes, it will be hard and challenging, but anything that causes me to trust God is a blessing. You know this, I’m sure, but God has a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11), He knows my needs (Matthew 6:31-32) and He provides for me (Matthew 6:26).
Keep hanging on to truth and He will help you do what He wants you to do!
Also, as a side note – I love your photo. May I borrow the idea for our Christmas photo and letter? It’d be a cute way to show off the belly by then!
congratulations! and God’s grace!
Erin from Colorado
Wow! A big, big congratulations to you and your family, Tsh! I’m just beginning to adjust to life with three little ones and it has been a challenge. But the blessing and reward seems so worth it.
@Jessica – I don’t do pregnancy without coffee. I still drink a cup a day, like I did with my other two pregnancies.
@Erin – It actually wasn’t my original idea; a friend of mine did it to announce her #3. So I hold no license to it! Borrow away.
Congratulations! What a lovely photo. Do you know that you and your blog have been inspiring me for more than a year now? You will continue to do wonderfully, and handle it all with grace. You and yours are in my prayers.
Hi, Tsh! Congratulations! We are so excited for you and your family. Yes, three little ones under the age of five is CRAZY, but also so full of joy and blessings!
Quick note – you might consider Phil & Ted’s Classic Buggy with the doubles kit… Pistachio can sleep in the back / under part, and Garbanzo can see the world up in the front! And that way you’re not trying to maneuver a WIDE stroller along potentially narrow sidewalks… We don’t have this stroller, but I see them around a lot, and people seem to love them!
May God bless you and keep you, and make His face shine upon you!
love,
Sarah (et al!)
congratulations! after two, three is no big deal. really! what’s one more?
have fun, and i pray your health quickly improves!
Congrats! We are expecting #4 (our oldest will be 5 then…barely) in early March, so I can totally relate! 3 was the biggest change for us, but fun, too. The older two like to do things together, so I have a little snuggle-bug with me some of the time. You will do great!
…And we had one relative around for our last child’s birth…who left 24 hours after delivery…and then no help. You manage. You learn. And laughing helps.
Very big congratulations – # 3 is very exciting! I have experience with everything up to and including 8., so feel free to contact for specifics! I miss my UK midwives – as you said, love that laid back care…
As for paying for your family, I’d suggest getting them to pay for it – the pound might be getting stronger, but flights to the UK at the moment are pretty good, so I’m told. And when it comes time to get on a plane with your kids, fear not – everyone talks about how horrible it is, but you can endure anything for a fixed period of time, and with a little advance training, kids can do really well.
~An ex-expat and expector of #5 about the same time as you
Congratulations! What a cute way to announce it. If you practice what you preach, then you’re already in great shape for managing a household of little ones. I’ve gotten so much helpful input from your sites over the past couple years!
I have three boys under age three, so here’s my best advice:
~Eliminate everything extra on the schedule. I was surprised at what was “extra”! And the stuff I didn’t eliminate ahead of time fell away by default after the kids arrived.
~Ditto on the jogging stroller. They handle beautifully!
~Ditto also about hiring household help (especially if you don’t have family in the area), if you can afford it. We can’t, but I dream about it!
~For after-baby meals, how about canned foods and dry goods that don’t take up freezer space? Pasta and sauce, rice and beans, etc. Easy to throw together and no refrigeration required.
~As for explaining to the culture that we’re not crazy, I’ve given up. We ARE crazy!
Hi Tsh! Congratulations!! Just read the fantastic news. I’m actually expecting our third too– due in Feb as well. I’ve been enjoying all the comments with suggestions and encouragements as I am also wondering how I will fare with this new little blessing coming into the fold.
Again, congratulations on the fantastic news!!
Congrats, Tsh! What exciting news. I have no answers to your questions, but marvel at how you manage to handle it all in great stride. I am so happy for your sweet family! Praying that this pregnancy goes great for you!! ((hugs))