My Third Child Turns Three

 My third born is turning three! If you've had a conversation with me about kids you might have heard me mention that three is the turning point. At least for me it gets easier when they turn three. It is still challenging, but I prefer to deal with my children when I can communicate with them and they get it! And in my house that seems to be around the third year. They don't actually listen, but I can start giving consequences because I know they understand they are suppose to listen! 
This might all be different with my third child. My brother spent three days with us over Thanksgiving and was quite surprised at how challenging it can be living with Austin! Mike asked at dinner about going out to eat. I mentioned we use to be able to pack a bag of things to do and go to a restaurant with a server. Then Austin joined the Family. He flips on a switch and he is done. No bag full of fun can change his mind. We all better be done or the entire restaurant will know about it. I could take him to the bathroom and pull out the mean Mom, but it will make it worse! So, we avoid restaurants with servers. Austin has caused me to rethink ALL preconceived ideas, judgements, or previous statements about how parents should handle their children! It has all been thrown out the window with him! Starting with the day I gave birth...a whopping 11lbs 1oz and 22 1/2" long. 

 I cried when I heard his weight. I thought about how many times I shared about the girl in my birthing class who had a 11lb baby. That was going to be me now! The first sign I was done judging other mothers! I had the baby now who would have "he is big for his age" behind every answer to how old he is. I dropped him at the nursery explaining he is only 8 weeks old so he can't sit up yet! Don't feed him puffs he is only 5 months old. In the store I would loudly state during an 'episode,' "the joys of a 13 month old." Cause he looked like a two and half year old. He is 42lbs and 36" tall and wears a size 10 shoe and he is just three years old. He is a toddler in a preschoolers body. He is a little boy who has a mother that has never assumed he should act older because he is so much bigger than the others his age! Austin has changed my viewpoint in mothering. He has given me compassion for mothers that exceeds any I had before he was born. There is no 'right' way to mother. There is a different way for each of us and another way different for each child we are given. Some different is more extreme than the different before it!

5 months

8 months 

Happy 1st Birthday Austin James

Austin was born starving! He literally went to bed with two 6oz bottles. It took 4 long weeks to get him to figure out his days/nights. He awoke in the middle of the night at least 2x for more milk until he was one. Then his day starts around 6am. From the moment he was born it was hard to get him to fall asleep. He suffered from reflux and chronic ear infections. He started teething at 4 months old and would cut all his teeth by his first birthday. He got mono at 6 months old. Cellulitis in his eye and leg. Stitches in his nose and a rag doll tumble down the basement stairs. He never walked, only ran. He doesn't frown, he only smiles. He doesn't wine, he only cries. He doesn't do change, thrives on a schedule, is clean and likes order. Is crazy consistent and a terrible eater. The boy lives on waffles and fruit snacks. He doesn't "want" anything he only "needs." He "needs" gum, "needs" to watch Dora, "needs" to play trains, "needs" to have cereal at 5:30am. 

18 months

Austin's joy is contagious.
It is the gift I get from him when he has mentally and physically pushed me further than I ever thought I could go! 

A Garden Gnome for his 2nd Halloween

He was almost 2 when wrestling with Dad became painful for Dad! 

Happy 2nd Birthday!

 Motherhood changes most women. My first born caused me to see how selfish I was and how deep I could love. My second born gave me an understanding of how God loves all of us deeply. I didn't know until Grant that my heart had room to love more than one so deeply, it was different than with Molly, but still the same. Austin has deepened my dependance on my faith. I am not the same woman I was three years ago. He has been extremely challenging, but easy for me. I love having this second go around with my little ones. It has been the best three years, but also the hardest!

I don't handle poop very well.
 Since my 2 year old is sized more like a 3 year old, I moved quickly to Potty Training!

Always doing his own thing in his own time no matter what everybody else is doing!

The boy is rarely caught without a smile.
When he does get grumpy it doesn't take much to turn the smile back on!

 Austin has given Grant a brother to wrestle, throw balls, play trucks, and a friend who will run around with his shirt off just like his brother does. Molly's relationship with Austin has surprised me the most. They have this friendship that doesn't come out of her 'mothering' him, but out of truly enjoying one another. They have the same energy, zest for life, and positivity. Don has already stated that Austin will be on every 'date' Molly has in her future. I think she will have an attitude about this, but OH! the stories she will retell about him!!! Austin will be smiling ear to ear! 

Austin James, I can't believe you are three. It isn't fair that time goes faster as I get older. I had this ache when Molly and Grant turned three. The pain that made me wish I could freeze time. I cry because I don't like change and you are changing. The chubby toddler face is thinning out. You are so handsome. Your smile radiates the joy that is a gift which can only come from heaven. You got the memo a couple weeks ago that you were turning 3. This has started the trying of my patience as you loudly communicate your demands. On the flip side you worry about Heidi's safety. You sit on my lap and squeeze my cheeks and ask what "love you" means. Your tummy always hurts cause it needs more fruit snacks and naps should always be "later." You make us laugh and delight in the little things. And that is the best part of three year olds! Happy 3rd Birthday Austin James!