You’d think by the third kid in 6 years, I’d have this baby thing down. In some ways, I felt at ease preparing for our transition to a family of 5. In other ways, I was just as blindsided as I was the first go round.

By baby #3, I should have known that…

1. Labor HURTS.

I’m convinced Mother Nature has a wonderful way of creating mom-amnesia so we will continue to procreate.

2. The transition would be harder on me than the kids.

As with every transition my kids go through, I tend to worry about how it will affect the kids, more than the change actually affecting the kids.

3. The older two would view the new brother as an addition, not something to take away from them.

As much as I worried about the older two and their feelings towards their new sibling, they didn’t feel the negative impact I feared for them.

4. I should have stocked the freezer.

How nice it would have been to have prepped ready to cook meals for the freezer!

5. I would need my village now more than ever.

I have a hard time accepting help. Once #3 came along, I got better at saying yes when someone offered to help me. I finally admitted I NEEDED help.

6. Less is way more.

Instead of buying more, I got rid of a lot. I needed to drastically pare down our toy collection. I realized that babies don’t NEED all the gadgets and accessories I thought as a first-time mom.

7. Simple tasks would now be difficult to accomplish.

Amazon prime and HEB curbside would become my lifesavers.

8. I would do things differently.

I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t along the parenthood journey. I’ve also learned that kids are way more resilient than we give them credit for. So some things that used to keep me up at night worrying, don’t seem to phase me anymore.

9. I would be way more relaxed.

I’ve (somewhat) learned when a situation warrants a freakout and when I can let it go.

10. I would be way more confident.

I’m settled in motherhood making me a heck of a lot calmer during the newborn phase. I’ve finally figured out how to nurse a newborn, sleep train, and comfort crying babies. That doesn’t mean I don’t still get overwhelmed, and it doesn’t mean I always do things right (I don’t), but I do feel confident that I have a solid bag of tricks up my sleeve to try first.

11. This too shall pass.

In the trenches of the newborn phase or an annoying toddler tantrum, it’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But I do know now that whether it be sleep training or potty training, the tough phases really are just a phase, and will soon pass.

12. I would be emotional.

I remember being emotional after each one of my babies, but for some reason, I was still surprised at the tears streaming down my face for no good reason at all.

13. Three is easier.

In some ways, the transition to three was way easier than adding my previous babies to the mix. The older two were great playmates and could (sometimes) entertain themselves long enough for me to get dinner started, nurse their little brother, or take a hot shower.

14. Three is harder.

Outings are hard. Carrying an infant, while chasing two toddlers in opposite directions is a daunting task. Not impossible, but really made me question my sanity at times.

15. My thoughts would be scattered and sporadic.

Time is limited with any amount of kids in your home. Having several schedules in your head, moms are bound to forget things. Give yourself some grace!

16. My husband still needs me.

I’m so guilty at putting the kids’ needs before my husband’s. Technically, the kids actually do need us for their survival, and the more kids we add, the more we all add to our plate. It’s a wonderful, bitter-sweet thing. But at the end of the day, after I’ve given myself to my babies, sometimes there isn’t much left to give to my partner. With three kids, we have to remember to carve out time for each other now more than ever.

17. We are outnumbered.

Math is not my strong suit, but I can add. I was well aware that we were about to have more kids than adults in our house. But the volume of that donating task had escaped me.

18. We can handle it.

As much as I don’t feel like I have it all under control (like ever), with each passing birthday, I’m reminded that we did it. We survived and at the end of a long, defeated day being a mom to three crazy kids, we did it. I am stronger than I ever imagined.

19. Each baby is different and would need me in different ways.

Each of my sons has found comfort differently, and I had to work to figure that out. Just because I’m a mom of all boys, doesn’t mean I am the same type of mom to each of them.

20. How full my heart would feel with 3.

The instant, overwhelming, head over heels love you feel for this little person you created is just as insanely intense as your first and second births.