Can you believe it?? Baby #3, Hayleigh Lyn Carol, is finally here! Born on Tuesday, May 10th at 11:04 PM. At 39 weeks, she only weighed 6 lbs, 2 oz. but was very long at 21 inches. She is a perfect little peanut for sure! 
I’m not going to lie… It has been a rough few days back at home. I get the “baby blues” with every baby. I think it has to do with the fact that I don’t deal well with changes and crave normalcy in my life. So, when things are off, it is super hard for me to adjust.
To combat my baby blues, I have been trying to focus on normal day stuff like picking up the house, doing laundry, taking the girls to play outside, and now finally getting back to blogging. And it has helped a great deal. Yes, I am still resting lots but trying to get back into the swing of things has helped my mood incredibly.
I am very happy to say that the girls have adjusted very well to baby Hayleigh so far, including Cami, my little momma’s girl. They love her to death and shower her with lots of kisses. That is a huge praise for me.
Now, my main difficulty lies in raising a 1.5 and a 2.5 year old, who are in the lovely stages of defiance and testing the limits, all while nursing a newborn through the night. If anyone has some advice out there, this mom would greatly appreciate it! 
Linking to 1+1+1=1 for my Tot School mommas who have been waiting for pics of this cutie!
*Since Hayleigh’s birth came in the middle of our giveaway, I will be extending the giveaway for Organized SImplicity by Tsh Oxenreider until Sunday, May 22nd midnight EST. Thanks so much to everyone who has already entered. I am loving your organization tips!!!
I wish I had advice for you…but I’ve never been there! You’ve got your hands full. All I can advise is ASK FOR HELP! If you’re like me- that was super hard to do- but once I accepted the idea- it worked wonders. Have someone take the older girls out, so you and Hayleigh can rest and bond. I can’t wait to meet her- she is absolutely beautiful (not that I am surprised- your other two are just as perfect!).
I am all over people taking the older two. They so need it, too. I can’t wait for you to meet her either!!! And for me to meet Gavin!
I personally do not have three under three, but I babysit my God daughters frequently and with the two of them and my baby, there are 3 under 3. I have found that taking a deep breath helps. My oldest goddaughter will be 3 soon, but she is a handfull. She has so much energy and at times makes me CRAZY! I have found taking a deep breath helps and then diverting her to a different activity while I am nursing helps some. It is crazy and when they leave, my house looks like a tornado came through it. I wish you the best of luck. I am hoping we are blessed with another baby soon, as my daughter will be 1 at the end of the month, but we will see what the good Lord has in store for us.
Diverting to a different activity is a GREAT idea, one I need to do more often. And breathe deeply more, for sure.
Congratulations on your baby girl
She’s so cute. I hope your baby blues will vanish in no time. Warm Hugs from Poland
Ewa
Thank you so much! The blues did vanish quickly.
Hugs back to you!!
Congrats Carolyn! I’m so happy for you! She is so precious.
My experience is mostly limited to older children, but there was a point in my life where my best friend and her 3 children lived with me, so we had a house of 4 kids under the age of 4.
4, 3, 2 and newborn, and I was the stay at home mom at time. I wish I could remember how we made it through, but we managed. Just take a deep breath and be sure to reach out and ask for help. Just remember bonding time is the most important thing – not everything is going to get done and that is completely ok.
Thanks, Eli! Asking for help.. I need to do that more.
First off, Congratulations! She is beautiful. Secondly, you can do this….even if some days you are just putting your head down and pushing through. lol I have three right now that are 4,3 and almost 2, I was where you are a couple years ago. I will be honest with you and say that it was a tough jump for me going from 2 to 3 (tougher than 1 to 2). I don’t know if it was just because of the littlest guys personality or not though (he was an extremely demanding, fussy, time consuming baby….precious lamb)
I didn’t feel like I was getting the hang of things until he was 6 months (and mobile….so less fussy).
There are a couple specific things that I remember helped me. Silas was the first baby I started writing down his rhythm. After about two weeks I had it memorized so I knew exactly what he wanted when he was crying (whether tired, hungry etc.). With knowing his schedule I was able to adjust the older two’s schedule little by little to work around his. Silas was also the first baby that I fixed his nap schedule so that he was sleeping during the day when I wanted him to sleep. After about 2 months all three kiddos were taking afternoon naps at the same time. During this time I did……absolutely nothing for anyone but myself. I either read, exercised, slept, watched TV etc. I still have that lovely period during the afternoon….and I will say that is a big reason as to why my sanity is still in tact. lol
I’ve never done this because I never nursed long but I’ve seen blog posts of ladies who have put together special ‘nursing baskets’ for their older children that are full special activities that they can play with only while mommy is feeding the baby. That seems like it would be a good idea.
Most importantly, just take one day at a time. The biggest mindset that I had to separate from was that because I have a baby I can’t do these other things with my kids. Let the olders be a part of what you do with the baby and let the baby be a part (as much as a newborn can be) of what the olders are doing. Yes, one on one time is still important. But, this is a family, and this is what family is about…being together.
One more thing. Treasure that little one and all the newborn moments. I feel that I thought it was so busy with two toddlers and a newborn I didn’t have time to truly take in Silas like I wish I would’ve.
Anyway, that is my novella for you.
I am far from having it all together, and there are many days I think it’s going to fall apart. But, I can say that it has gotten easier and not more difficult! And being so close in age they all love each other and love being together.
Um, I am pretty much just going to print off your comment. Very, very encouraging and great advice! Thank you!
Congratulations on your new little one. I just had a son at the end of March. My daughter is 6, and although I have no idea how I’d handle 3 under 3, I think the transition is hard for mom no matter what- I know I’m still trying to find my footing balancing the needs of two children. So try to cut yourself some slack and hang in there!!
Thank you so much! I DO need to remember to cut myself some slack.
Oh my goodness Carolyn . . . she is just beautiful! My three were really spread out, (they’re are 2 1/2 years before the first two but four years between the third), and I can remember throwing a whiffle ball to my almost 3 year old with one arm while nursing my middle child with the other arm (so I feel for you with three that little!)
If you can, take lots of time to hold that sweet baby – my favorite thing was to make my hubby take the older two and lie down for a nap with her nuzzled right up under my neck. For me it was overwhelming to have a new little one, but I do look back and miss that sweet baby snuggled up so close. Hang in there, and enjoy that sweet, (beautiful!) baby!
Thanks, Laurie, for your very sweet words and advice!!! I crave time alone with her. The girls go down pretty early, usually by 7pm. So that gives me the rest of the evening with her and I love, love, love it! And my favorite thing to do with her is to place her on my chest and have her snuggle so close too.