Hellobee Boards

I thought there would be a lot more vomit. Based on the registry suggestions for special crib mattress sheets and protectors and easily removable crib sheets, it seemed like the dang kids would be puking in their beds all the time LOL. My LO is not a big puker and it only happened once when he was little!

Potty training surprisingly. Knock on wood, my oldest was trained in 3 days the second time around. I followed a lot of people on here who said not to push it if he wasn't ready. We did a lot of potty talk and tried to get him on the potty from 2-3, but it was so clear he wasn't ready, so we didn't push it. Little bro came when he turned 3, and by Christmas (3 years, 3 months), we explained to him what was going to be happening. He had a few accidents, but was trained within 3 days.

He's 4 years, 4 months and has only once peed the bed. Wasn't nearly as bad as I feared.

I know this fully means that it will be a nightmare with LO2!

@Anagram: haha, same for me. My 2 year old actually just got over a stomach virus which caused her to vomit all over my face while I was holding her Sunday. I never flinched and I cleaned her up before I cleaned myself off. Like you said, it's nothing

Agree with everyone else about the body fluids! I don't have any qualms about trying to catch it in my hands so I don't have to clean the carpet or couch!

I'd also add having less of a social life due to having kids. True that I don't go out as much, but I can talk about parenting/kids with any other parent and it is an easy conversation. It is like trading one type of social life for another.

Adding a baby and the toddler adjustment. DS1 adores his brother and always has. DS2 is 8 months now so we are dealing with some "don't touch my toys!" issues and sharing problems, but they really love each other and we haven't had any acting out or issues related to that and I'm soooo relieved. DS1 is a pistol so I didn't know which way he would go and he ended up going hardcore lovey on his brother.

Potty training. Took a day for peeing and 2 days for pooping. Easy peasy.

And the bodily fluids! I have a puker and cleaning up vomit just doesn't phase me. I'm actually quite the expert at it by now.

Changing diapers and sleep deprivation for my first two kids. Also, being alone for bedtimes, etc (when my husband works late)isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

@Anagram: ha, LO 3 was a horrible sleeper for her first year!!!

Breastfeeding. Literally every person I knew IRL had a horrific breastfeeding experience - terrible latch, cluster feeding for weeks, poor supply. I desperately wanted to breastfeed but was terrified I wouldn't be able to and/or that it would be the worst experience of my life. But D latched perfectly from the get-go, I only had a few clogged ducts through the 14 months I breastfed him, and I had an abundant supply so that I was able to send milk in for daycare AND donate over 400oz over the course of the year of pumping.

Agree with others that going to work and not being with my kids 24/7 has not been a challenge. Sure, I'd like to be with them more, but I don't feel like I am not a part of their lives by any means. I don't love my job but it is not terrible and it can be very rewarding and my feelings about my work have not changed before/after having kids.

Also, I read lots of blog posts about having 3 kids and how hard it was that had me shaking in my boots. It has been no big deal - I mean, one more person that needs something constantly, yadda yadda yadda.

The mess.

Before I had LO, my friend had a baby. And her house was a disaster. Every time we went out for dinner her kid made such a mess! I was worried.

Turns out it's what you make it! My kid is pretty tidy!

Postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, poopy diapers.

@youboots: I agree totally. I mean, it's had its challenges but overall it really doesn't feel that hard to me. Childbirth, on the other hand, was waaaaay harder than I'd been led to believe.
That said, I've already kind of forgotten physically and am ready to do it again- but I'm also aware that during both of my labors I was absolutely and literally sure that either my baby or I was going to die.

The diapers, vomit, runny noses has been no big deal. It became second nature so quickly. Also, recovery from L&D was very easy for me. I delivered vaginally and c-section in the same delivery (I have twins) and I was lucky enough to have easy recoveries in both areas.

Same with poop and vomit. DD1 never had crazy explosions nor did she spit up much. She had thrown up like twice at home.

Also transitions from breastmilk to formula yo cows milk was easy.

Bodily functions, potty training and newborn sleep deprivation - I mean they are all the less glam parts but so rewarding in their own way (like the winning feeling when relieving a gassy baby etc).

Potty training. It was very easy and a year and a half later I've still never had to run through stores to get to a potty with him, which I dreaded.

Sleep.
It wasn't a big deal - we just got lucky, I know.
That's why we're quitting while we're ahead - with one. Haha!

Cloth diapering & teething. So far I've hardly been aware when DD has cut new teeth & she's got 12!. She's fussed some or had sleep disruptions, but hasn't been a great sleeper as it is, so it wasn't a "gimme" that any one thing was going on.