Whats different if this isn't your first...?

[sharr610]

So I just have to keep reminding myself I'm preggers this time. I also find myself having more mixed feelings about it, sometimes getting really sad that I only have 9 months left with only DS.
But I'm not as freaked out about so much. Its nice to know what I'm getting myself into this go round .

[judybean]

Well, this is my fourth go-round. I *think* I know what I'm doing... but then sometimes I feel completely lost

This pregnancy was not a 'tried for' or even 'thought about' one. Granted, for a long time the idea of a big family seemed fabulous... and we neither try to conceive, nor try to avoid. And things just weren't happening after dd3. She's 3.5 years old now and so I'd grown quite comfortable with our family of five.

Now, the timing of this bean #4 makes perfect sense (though at first I was blown away). DD3 weaned just two months ago. So of COURSE fertility was in high gear... eek!

I feel more relaxed in many ways. It's not that this is in ANY way something routine or ordinary. Each and every life is so amazingly different and it's larger than any words could ever convey. Pregnancy is always a blessing. Always an amazing gift. And seriously, you are GROWING ANOTHER HUMAN! Wowsers! ... But, I'm not freaking out. I can worry/stress about the small stuff or I can take it as it comes. A mother can do EVERYTHING "right" (perfect prenatals, perfect exercise, perfect diet, etc.... .. then breastfeed on demand always with no 'extras' even for a year, always babywear, etc, etc..) ... and things can still happen. It's nothing karmaic or some sort of punishment for something "wrong" you did. Sometimes some things just happen to some children. You deal with it and keep on going.

I'm learning to appreciate the time I have with my family of just five right now. While I can't say I'm not freaking out at all about having FOUR children (which somehow seems like SO MUCH MORE than just three!), I know that things will work out! They just do! And just days after this babe is born, I know it will feel like we've *always* been a family of six and I won't be able to remember back to the days of not have four kids. It will become our new normal and it will be beautiful.

I know life will not be without chaos. How would we ever fully appreciate the good days without a few duds thrown in? I will take in the chaos and try to embrace it. It's all part of the life experience.

And... I'll realize I don't get as much time on the computer as I want! lol ... I'll realize that as my older children continue to get older, they're going to want more time! Like now!

(I've waxed nostalgic enough... I think pregnancy makes me wordy!)

[stone mnt mama]

I feel the same way.
I found out I was pregnant a few days ago, and although we had said we would start trying for a 2nd child around this time I feel totally taken off guard (It wasn't exactly planned). I am having a lot of mixed feelings and sadness. I feel guilty for feeling this way. I know if I have a misscariage it will be hard to not think my ambivilance played a role in it... But, I do want this. It just is so big.
I am already experiencing some heavy nauseousness and I think the idea of being a host to this being for 9 months seems absolutely daunting. I understand what you were saying about mourning the loss of your solo time with your ds. I feel the same way.
Well wishes.

[sarahr]

I feel the exact same way. I feel fine now. I'm pretty sure that this early I also felt fine with DD, but when I think about that pregnancy I just remember how sick I was, so it feels different, even if it's not actually different.

I think DD will be super excited to be a big sister, but it makes me sad that this baby isn't going to get the undivided attention that DD got. It also makes me sad that I won't have the time to just sit and stare at a sleeping newborn this time around.

[SuzyLee]

I actually feel happy and excited this time!

DS was a totally unplanned oops baby. We had planned to wait another year, which for our financial situation would have been a huge difference. Oh well! It took me about 3 months to get used to the idea and on board with it.

This time we were actively TTC and are super excited and for now we feel ready. I am sure as it gets closer i will freak out about having 2 children, esp. since I had PPD last time. But I have a much better support group now, and I will hopefully be a SAHM after #2, so I think that will help a lot.

My main concern is that I am starting this pg at a higher weight than I want to be at, and I have much less time to exercise than when was pg with #1.