I thought of this last night when we were supposed to be settling down for bedtime, but the baby was entertaining everyone by smelling his own feet and making other people smell his feet. He was also trying to pretend he was sleeping, and the rest of us were rolling in laughter. As he approaches 1.5 years of age, his personality is blooming and he's a hoot.
I would agree that having three kids in five years is a little crazy, but man, I wouldn't have it any other way. Having the third kid has been so good for our family and I think especially for the two big brothers. I can see the big boys, especially the biggest one, stepping outside of themselves to care for their baby brother. The adoration he showers upon them in return is also astounding. I mean, I know he doesn't know any better, but his favorite thing to do is to just be near them, to be "one of the guys." The biggest brother is much more patient with the baby than he is with anyone else, and it has shown me that we all have a role to play in our family and in the development of virtue in each other.
Of course, a close sense of brother- or sisterhood can certainly be found in many places outside of the home, but I find comfort knowing that these three brothers will have a bond with each other that they won't have with anyone else, no matter how close or far apart they end up as adults.
I have talked with several people who are tentative to have a third kid, to be outnumbered in the family by kids. I say go for it. I haven't met a family who wished their third kid hadn't been born. I might be partial, as a third kid myself! I do feel like our culture is losing the sense of brother- and sisterhood of past generations, and I think one way to bring that back is to give our kids siblings!
No, I'm not currently pregnant, but I know you were wondering. ;)
I would agree that having three kids in five years is a little crazy, but man, I wouldn't have it any other way. Having the third kid has been so good for our family and I think especially for the two big brothers. I can see the big boys, especially the biggest one, stepping outside of themselves to care for their baby brother. The adoration he showers upon them in return is also astounding. I mean, I know he doesn't know any better, but his favorite thing to do is to just be near them, to be "one of the guys." The biggest brother is much more patient with the baby than he is with anyone else, and it has shown me that we all have a role to play in our family and in the development of virtue in each other.
Of course, a close sense of brother- or sisterhood can certainly be found in many places outside of the home, but I find comfort knowing that these three brothers will have a bond with each other that they won't have with anyone else, no matter how close or far apart they end up as adults.
I have talked with several people who are tentative to have a third kid, to be outnumbered in the family by kids. I say go for it. I haven't met a family who wished their third kid hadn't been born. I might be partial, as a third kid myself! I do feel like our culture is losing the sense of brother- and sisterhood of past generations, and I think one way to bring that back is to give our kids siblings!
No, I'm not currently pregnant, but I know you were wondering. ;)
We are frequently telling our boys they will be the best of friends some day. Lately, though, that is hard to imagine as we are at each others throats. #3 has added something special to our house...even though he drives us all crazy! I would love to have a household of boys (5 max) because of that special bond but I think with 8 cousins on one side...they have several chances at lifelong friends!
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