Thirteen things to consider when contemplating adding a fourth child:
1- We only have two and a half bedrooms in this house. I say a half because the "third" bedroom is only large enough for a crib/small bed, a dresser, and a chair. Not much else. If we have a fourth we may have to move sooner than later.
2- I don't want to move. I know we are already running out of room in this 1500 sq ft but I love my house. Although we always planned on this being our starter house it would be very difficult for me to move.
3- We could cram three boys into the 2nd bedroom for a while if we had to. Good Lord, help me. Bedtime would be nuts!
4- I think Todd is finally on board for four.
5- I do not like odd numbers. Four kids works so much better than three. With four no one will be left out. Everyone has a buddy.
6- I've always wanted a large family. Three just doesn't seem like a large family to me.
7- Joey has been praying (out loud) for a baby girl. "Dear God. I am asking for a baby girl in this family. If we have a baby girl I would take care of her and love her with all my heart. Amen." Ugh. My ovaries hurt just listening to him. I hope he is not disappointed when we have another boy. ;)
8- Can I really handle FOUR BOYS?
9- Four kids in six years. Ouch.
10- I love being pregnant.
11- Four kids in carseats/boosters. Yipes! That makes for a crowded minivan.
12- I'm already so blessed. Could I really ask for more? Isn't that just being greedy?
13- I would love to have another baby.
1- We only have two and a half bedrooms in this house. I say a half because the "third" bedroom is only large enough for a crib/small bed, a dresser, and a chair. Not much else. If we have a fourth we may have to move sooner than later.
2- I don't want to move. I know we are already running out of room in this 1500 sq ft but I love my house. Although we always planned on this being our starter house it would be very difficult for me to move.
3- We could cram three boys into the 2nd bedroom for a while if we had to. Good Lord, help me. Bedtime would be nuts!
4- I think Todd is finally on board for four.
5- I do not like odd numbers. Four kids works so much better than three. With four no one will be left out. Everyone has a buddy.
6- I've always wanted a large family. Three just doesn't seem like a large family to me.
7- Joey has been praying (out loud) for a baby girl. "Dear God. I am asking for a baby girl in this family. If we have a baby girl I would take care of her and love her with all my heart. Amen." Ugh. My ovaries hurt just listening to him. I hope he is not disappointed when we have another boy. ;)
8- Can I really handle FOUR BOYS?
9- Four kids in six years. Ouch.
10- I love being pregnant.
11- Four kids in carseats/boosters. Yipes! That makes for a crowded minivan.
12- I'm already so blessed. Could I really ask for more? Isn't that just being greedy?
13- I would love to have another baby.
57 comments:
I think the positives outweigh the negatives! I say... DO IT! :)
Okay, that prayer is the sweetest thing ever. And also, GO FOR IT!
That is so sweet!! I think you are mostly talked into it from what it sounds like. You know you wanna. You could always just "see what happens" :)
ya know i was always of the opinion that 4 was better than three as well, and for the same reason...no odd man out. of course if you have a girl she might be the odd girl out but at the same time she would have three older brothers to be protective when suitors start coming around....not a bad thing!
Lime- Is it even possible for us to have a girl? I don't know. I have thought about that too. But there would still be 4 boys and 2 girls in the family so it would work out either way. Everyone would still have a buddy. Know what I mean?
Steph- It was Todd that needed to be convinced. I was always gung-ho on four (or more). It is just a timing thing now. If we "see what happens" we'll be pregnant. We get pregnant from sharing the same drinking glass. ;)
Ok now you are just talking crazy talk! :) I KID....move BEFORE you get pregnant. We just moved out of our first house last year and it was bitter sweet. We loved that house...remodeled it ourselves from top to bottom, but it was time and we are very happy now, in our house that the kids will grow up in.....There is even an extra room in case we decide to get crazy and have another one. :)
Oh his prayer just melts me!
I can relate to every single one of these right now (minus the pregnancy. Me and pregnancy don't have a good relationship).
Our house will definitely be a tight fit too with another.
greedy? to offer a child such a loving home and family? not at all
My friend just had her 4th boy in 5 years! Nuts, huh? They have all 3 bigger ones in one small room. There is just enought room for the 3 twin beds and nothing else. It works for them. Oh, they do have a playroom, though. Well, good luck!
I think once you have 3, one more doesn't matter. I love having 4, most of the time...
wow!!!! I've noticed that adding a FOURTH is becoming more and more common!! I love this list you made. It reminds me of the EXACT list when I decided to go from 2 kids to 3 kids. I remember one of them being, "restaurants accomodate a family of 4 easier than a family of 5"....but now I'm sooo HAPPY that we have our 3rd. Hmmmm.....maybe El needs a little sister to even things out.....
I love your comment back about "seeing what happens." It's the same way with us.
I am the last child of 4 and have 3 older brothers, so, there's hope for a girl! And just think, she could grow up like me. Having her older brothers fart on her and throw their dirty socks in her face... Seriously, it's not THAT bad. ; )
Can't wait to hear when you get pregnant! : )
Good luck on your 4th... We're "trying" for our third... and we too know it will be a girl as we're not lucky enough to produce the other brand. :)
I knew it was coming! ;) I didn't think you'd lose. Is it possible to add to your house? 1500 sq ft for 5 people? WOW. That's a tight fit.
Wow, this pretty much sounds decided to me. I can't wait for the announcement.
Go for it Kathyrn! You definately have more reason to than not to. My favorite by far is the even numbers, everyone gets a buddy!
We only order two and got three instead. LOL!! I hope your baby fever isn't contagious! ;P
Karen of the MomDot Street Team
www.MomDot.com
This sounds just like the mental list I made when I wanted to get pregnant with #4. I'm SOOOOO glad we did, and hey! We finally got a girl after 3 boys. :)
My nine year old asked me recently if we'd please have a baby because all his friends have little brothers and sisters and it's not fair. My oldest just left for college. What a surprise that would be at fall break!
But you go for it, girlie! It sounds perfect for y'all!
My boys had asked for awhile for another...I just tell them 3 is our magic number. I came from a family of 3, it's my favorite number,etc. Part of me would love to have a 4th just because I'd love to have a girl, but I also know I just emotionally and physically don't have it in me to do again. I struggle keeping up with 3. Follow your heart, don't worry about bedrooms, car seats, etc. If it's meant to be, it will happen. You seem like an amazing mom and it's not greedy at all to want more. Best of luck to ya!! :)
My sister has four. People who love lots of kids do just fine and are happy. That's my experience.
Love your list. So honest....although I keep waiting to hear that your prego again....come on...you know you're going to do it!
Goosey came down from her nap on Sunday and had the happiest, smug smile on her face. She said, "Mom...you have another baby in your belly". I asked her how she knew - "Well, I prayed to God and asked him to give us another baby, so I just know there is one in there". Gotta love the kiddos - and I guess we'll see in a couple of weeks ;)
I have 3 older brothers. A fourth child, girl is just splendid! Although, will you stop at 4, I desperately wished I had a sister. 3 brothers doesn't really work well with your pairing up, more like ganging up in my experience.
Great post. I agree you are only convincing yourself at this point. Remember though, 4 is more even, but three can gang up on one too. I've seen it happen.
That being said. Kids rock! If you can have another kid, more power to ya! Looks like you would be providing a great home. More kids need great homes.
Great post!
Oh, Kat! You aren't being greedy! You are blessed!
All your worries are the things that keep me up at night right now - too little room, two kids in diapers, already feel so happy. But I know it's worth it all in the end!
It sounds like you really want another baby. I can't wait until it's time to say "Congratulations!" My son has been praying for a baby lately as well. ;)
Yay! I can't wait to hear when there is an arrival date for #4...boy or girl!
Wishing you all good things... whatever you decide. :-)
I say go for it! If I could convince my husband for a third I would have one in a heartbeat!
Kimmy
Oh, the GREAT DEBATE. Why is it that the women, who mostly stay at home, always want more while the work-at-the-office men don't? What's it to them, really? Well, I know mine worries about finances and all that goes with having kids - but I say it doesn't matter. The kids don't care how much money we (don't) have.
Don't you just get all giddy yourself if you see someone ELSES positive EPT test?!?!
I have never met anyone who regretted having another child. Maybe that's because they wouldn't admit it, but I don't think so. I had my last two when my oldest was 16 and 18. I wouldn't change a thing, except, maybe, have one more. The room and space issues have ways of working themselves out. I envy you your possibilities.
I love having four, but I'm never one to stop when enough is enough. It does sound like you'd have to move into a bigger house, but I really think you'd be happy with the extra noise and joy another one brings to the home. I want more, I love the process, I enjoy making babies, and I enjoy seeing my wife pregnant, she also likes me more then.
Psst - How do you feel about "gender swaying"? To help your kiddo get his wish, of course. lol :)
Ok, after being gone for a while, I finally caught up with everything I missed (about 12 posts). The lost keys one had me howling. It's never been THAT hard to find keys for us, but my mantra is the EXACT same as yours.
I love the new look here, sorry I missed it when you put it up! I am glad things are going so well for you. Great list! I say if you're family doesn't FEEL complete, go for it! There's nothing wrong with 3 in a room. Is there room in the basement at all?
I was actually gonna ask you how having the two boys in the bunk beds works out? We will probably be moving our 18 m/o (now) and 4 yr old into a bunk bed in January. I think I'm going with wooden, just have to find one I like.
Wow. I can't get to #3. I always wanted four. Good for you. I can't wait to read about it.
Ohhh! Best of luck on your trying! How is the housing market over there?
And I meant to tell you before about the Cherry Coke Zero...I think Pepsi has a monopoly in the Dells, because absolutely no one had heard of Cherry Zero before! I couldn't even get a fountain drink with half Diet Coke and half Cherry Coke anywhere. So I generalized and said all of Wisconsin was crazy ;-) I feel better knowing your area has it, at least.
Aw, I say go for it if you want another and can make it happen! The world could use more of the kinds of good people your kids will likely grow up to be. I'm convinced I'd want to have a big bunch of them if I could realistically make it happen.
I am with you 100% on numbers 10 and 12.
Sounds like your mind is already made up though.
Joey; That is a great prayer. I hope God gives you a baby sister. But you HAVE to stop ripping the head off Barbie.
Do it and put an addition on. You can make up for me only having one.
I love being pregnant too!
Suggestion - Sunshine Kids Radian 80 carseats. Not only the safest car seats [yes, even safer than Britax] but very narrow and able to easily fit 3 to a row.
Also, you use them from birth until up to 80 lbs, so it's the only car seat you'd ever use. Minivan problem solved!!!! :)
Lisa- That is so exciting! Keep me posted. :)
Eatplaylove- Sisters aren't all that they are cracked up to be. They can be much meaner than brothers, trust me. And I think getting Todd to agree to 4 is one thing, but 5 would probably be impossible. I'm pretty sure he is DONE at 4.
Ashley- What the heck is gender swaying? Are you talking medical procedure or Chinese gender predictors and sex positions? To me I just leave it all up to God. If God wants me to mother all boys then that is what I'll do. Happily. He knows best. :)
Abritdifferent- I think it would be fine with 3 to a room for a while. When they get older it could be a problem. They would probably end up throttling each other. ;)
Roxy- Actually it was Tommy who ripped the head off Barbie. Although I'm sure Joey would have done it too if he would have found her first. He asked me one time if he could play with dolls and I said "Sure. What would you do with them?" He said, "I don't know. Swing them around by their hair?" hehe
Robyn- We are thinking about an addition but that would take up so much of our already smallish backyard. Hmmm.
Immoral Matriarch- Are you kidding? You mean I could have KEPT my Saturn if I had known about these carseats? Three to a row? That is awesome! Thanks!
DO IT!!! DO IT!!!! Hubby and I are working for #3. And, as a middle child, I am obsessed with having an even number of children. I also want more than two kids; so, four is our minimum. DO IT!!!!! Yay for reproduction!!!
Amen to all of it (except #10, I hate being pregnant.)
Good luck!
#3 didn't change much for us... but boy # 4...(in 4 years) changed EVERYTHING.
we had to move.
we had to get another car... one that could hold 4 carseats, and strollers etc.
AND I LOVE IT!!! love, luv, looove it.
It's exhausting, and there were days that I could have, should have, would have done better; but boys are super forgiving and loving to their mamas...
Enjoy the journey...
ps... it's true about the buddy thing (for the most part) when they're little; but when they get a little older... it totally messes up the "who wants this or that" question because you'll always get 2 for one thing, and 2 for another. Which still works, as long as dad's not around, b.c. that means you're the deciding vote)!! HA HA
Just because of number 7, you have to. You just HAVE TO!
Sounds like you are up for it....
not me...
at 3, we're outnumbered, and in this house,
that
just
won't
do!
Seriously, I hope you have exactly what you want... and tons and tons of joy and peace to enjoy it with.
J/
I would LOVE to have a 4th...my hubby, finds we are out numbered by 3! It is a tough decision, but by talking about it, exploring everything, and being realistic, I am sure you will come to the decision that is best for you and your family.
ahhhhhh, and think of the new baby posts!
I am so printing this out and posting on my fridge!
I DESPERATELY want another baby and hubbie is so NOT into that idea!!
Every baby is such a blessing!
Every baby is such a blessing!
I have 6, 3 boys (15, 11, 9 and girls (8, 6, 2) and ONE bathroom!!!!
I think you need to have a girl to rescue your old barbie dolls from what I can tell. :)
Your WW made me laugh out loud. It was that good!!
Can't wait for the big announcement of baby 4 is on the way. And I agree, I don't really see three as a large family anymore.
Sure sounds like a yes to me. :)
I will be waiting/watching to see if you do indeed concieve!!! Good luck! Great T13!!!
I think 4 it is. This is very exciting!
My aunt used to say 'if there's room in the heart, there's room in the home.'
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