Third child syndrome
Third child syndrome. Not to be confused with middle child syndrome – its the true showcasing of how you as a parent have eased up since your first baby and basically shows how you have thrown all caution to the wind. (well maybe not all – but it’s borderline living on the dangerous side the parent version)
It’s funny to think about how my parenting ways have changed since Carter was born. Books that I read when I was first pregnant and skimmed when pregnant with Sophie now have a thick layer of dust.
Sleepers are a staple clothing piece with Finn. You know he wears them so much when someone see’s him in “regular” clothes and asks what the special occasion is.. yea.. his sleeper ratio greatly out numbers his actual clothes.
Cups and teething toys are picked up off the floor numerous times a day with Finn- dusted off and ready to use again. When something touched the floor for even a millisecond with Carter, it was sanitized immediately. With Sophie I was diligent but I wouldn’t dive to the floor looking like a volleyball player trying not to let the ball touch the ground. I am pretty sure Finn’s immunities can be attributed solely to the practice of this alone.
I can remember feeling a sense of pride that Carter had barely had sugar in his first year let alone fast food… This week we may have indulged in some quick food options and Finn happily munched on a bun and fries on 2 separate occasions..oh times how they have changed.
When Carter’s first birthday was being celebrated I was pretty proud of myself for making Carter’s giant red velvet cupcake cake with beat juice and green food dye that was derived naturally. I can now fully admit that the cake actually looked like a gigantic mushroom with baby poop… no lie. Sophie’s cake was home made but it was made with regular ingredients and Finn’s was whatever was available at Costco..
The typical stuff you hear about the first child having all the pictures and the second not really having any to prove their existence is even more amplified because Finn has twice as many as Carter. It’s almost like I’m capturing the end of an era. My last. my baby. my memories. Well and theres the fact that I still owned a flip phone with Carter and Sophie..
While I have definitely relaxed in most areas, knowing that we are done after three I do have my moments where I don’t want Finn to grow up too fast..(although I have those feelings with Carter and Sophie as well) When Kris gave Finn some eggs for the first time I nearly caused WWIII because I didn’t want him growing up too fast. Because well eggs = the next level don’t you know.
Regardless, I love having three kids. And I am I am sure there will be way more third child syndrome moments along the way.