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One, Two and Then Three

The Difference Between Having Your First, Second and Third Child

First baby: At the first sign of distress - a whimper, a frown - you pick up the baby.
Second baby: You pick the baby up when their wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
Third baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

First baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
Second baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
Third baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.

First baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
Second baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
Third baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

First baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
Second baby: You spend a bit of every day watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
Third baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.