Outnumbered…

Ultrasound3

After posting a video of Finn, someone commented that he didn’t seem to be a baby anymore. I’ve also noticed this recently and so Allison and I decided to get another baby. That old one was losing it’s new baby smell. Come to think of it…most of the time he smells terrible. Unless of course he’s just been removed from the bathtub. And even that’s not always the case. For instance, this morning that old baby pooped in the bathtub. The nerve of some people.

That last paragraph was a lie. Not all of it. Finn did indeed poop in the bathtub this morning. The part where I said Allison and I “decided” to have another baby. More truthfully, the weather decided for us to have another baby. It’s cold. It’s boring. We’ve got to find something to do and what can I say…the woman just can’t keep her hands off of me.

All of these variables add up to one sum – baby #3. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to a little under-my-breath prayer today as we got our ultrasound to see that there was ONLY ONE baby in there. Thank you Jesus. Twins would mean selling both cars and taking at least, but not limited to, a 2-week vacation in the University Hospital Psych Ward.

Ava and Finn were born 2 years and 364 days apart. This new baby is expected to arrive somewhere around September 26th – which will probably be a rainy day. My birthday is in September and I swear it rains almost every year on my birthday. Ava and I have deduced that the sex of said baby is in her favor either way. If it’s a baby sister…win. This means Ava will have a baby sister. If it’s another baby brother…win. This means Ava gets to be the only girl and none of her girly stuff will get messed with, save for the glittery lip balms that make for great markers on walls.

We’re excited and we’re terrified. Going from one to two kids wasn’t twice as hard…it was seven times harder. What will going from two to three hold for us? At the very least…we’ll have to change our defense strategies. It will no longer be man-to-man coverage…from this point forward, it’s zone defense. If their little brains worked together, they could easily schedule a revolt. We’ll need to call in more subs and elicit a mercy rule.

As I looked at the ultrasound monitor today and I saw our new little miracle’s heartbeat flutter – my heart swelled. At the same time I thought our new baby looked like a cat. Our magic-wand-wielding technician explained to us that there was an egg sack that the baby was feeding on ( so awesome ) and that was the large Gargoyle head-like thing above our baby. The more I looked at the image about…the more I saw this Gargoyle. And you know how it goes – you cannot un-see something. For the record, Allison does not like that I think the ultrasound looks a little bit like a Gargoyle. Sorry babe….also for the record you looked great in that sweater you were wearing today.

And so we’re going to be that young couple with 3 kids. Wait…holy crud. We’re almost 30.

When did that happen?

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111 Responses to “Outnumbered…”

  1. MelindaB says:

    Congrats! Sept. 26th is my baby’s birthday and we have had 2 successful non-rainy birthdays!

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  2. Vickie says:

    Yay! Love you both and i can’t wait to meet this one!

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  3. Stacey J says:

    Congratulations!! Babies are so exciting. Though I’m sure it’s not going to be fun to be out numbered. ;o) But from what I hear, going from 2 – 3 isn’t half as hard as going from 1 – 2. I wish you the best of luck and the best of health through this pregnancy!

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  4. Kayt says:

    Congrats! My birthday is September 11th, and aside from my terrible, terrible 15th birthday, my birthday’s been pretty rad.

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  5. Sierra says:

    Congrats! You guys make beautiful kids…I’m sure this one will be just as beautiful as Ava and Finn!

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  6. Annie says:

    Going from 2 to 3 is nothing. The hardest is going from 1 to 2. After two you can handle any amount of kids :) Yay for babies!

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    Christina says:

    @Annie,
    I totally agree! 2 to 3 was much easier! much much much easier! I have almost 5, 3, and 10 months. We’re even wondering when we’ll work #4 in ;) You’re right. cold weather is boring! And we’re that “young couple”. I’m 25 and my hubby is 29. It’s fun that way!

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  7. Natali says:

    Well, at the risk of being cliche, you guys make really cute kids- perhaps it would have been a disservice for you not to have made a third? :-) Congratulations! Parenthood- what an adventure huh?!

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  8. cindy says:

    your baby looks like an angel w/a halo :) congratulations!! Ahh. How awesome
    another baby detzel/winkler :) lucky kid, blessed parents.

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  9. Cheri says:

    Congrats to all of you! We only “decided” on our first baby, the other two ….well, not so much.

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  10. Chris says:

    I can drop off the twins and you can practice. Then 3 won’t seem so bad! :-) Love you guys! You truly are blessed.

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  11. Sarah says:

    Congrats on joining outnumbered club (otherwise titled “yes, we’re dumb)! Going from one to two is rough, two to three really isn’t terribly scary until they’re all running in different directions, lol. Of course anything after three is a piece of cake because at that point, the kids are training YOU. It also increases your odds of having someone around to change YOUR diapers when the time comes. As a 29yr old mom of 5 (including surprise 5mo old twins) , I’m looking forward to the coming years. Hopefully they include building additional bathrooms :D

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  12. Tasha Roe says:

    Can I just say (from experience) three kids will rock your world!!!!! We have three and cripes! it was/is crazy and yet all so awesome and amazing at the same time. We are structured, scheduled, routined and three of the mongrels knocked us on our butt. And yet we love every single minute of it.
    Oh and btw- congrats!! It’s gonna be fun!!

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  13. Lisa in California says:

    Going from 2 to 3 isn’t bad. When you have 1, it’s all about figuring out how to be a parent. When you have the second one, it’s all about learning how to juggle more than 1 kid. When you have the 3rd, it is much more comfortable because you can relax in the experience you have and really enjoy them.

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  14. Dyan says:

    Yay!!! Congratulations!

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  15. Granola Girl says:

    I’ve actually heard there is a magic thing that happens with three: they take care of each other. There seems to always be one who is the unified evil which unites the other two. I don’t know much about it. I was the second child and argued with my brother constantly. I only have one and it’s just going to stay that way!

    However, I’ve seen three work very well for friends. Here’s hoping.

    P.S. My kid looked like an evil alien, so gargoyle isn’t too terrible.

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  16. Megan says:

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    (I can’t see the gargoyle!)

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  17. Liz says:

    Congrats! How exciting for you and your family. I was the girl who got baby #3 & #4 instead of just baby #3 :)

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  18. Liz says:

    Our baby #3 is 19 months and not much of a baby anymore. I wish there could be a baby #4 but I feel too old (42). I just wanted to tell you that baby #3 is exciting for everyone (2 girls, 1 boy now).
    It’s doable. It gets easier. Enjoy every moment. Congratulations.

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  19. Plano Mom says:

    Awesomeness. God, the master of random surprises, has struck again.

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  20. Our third was a “surprise”. I almost cried when the stick had two pink lines, and not happy tears, either. It was just not a good time to have a baby. I had two kids and was happy with that, my husband was getting ready to deploy, my mother was ill. . . another kid was just not in the plan, man.

    God sure knows what he’s doing, though. Having that baby helped anchor me through a very rocky year. On those lonely nights with my husband so far away, on days when the other kids were driving me insane, or even when my mom died, I could look over, and that baby would flash me the biggest smile, and it would make things ok in that moment.

    Going from two to three kids was the worst transition I’ve been through. 0 to 1, and 1 to 2, has nothing on 2 to 3. Even when we went from 3 to 4, that was a snap! I say this not to scare you, just to prepare you. And hey, I lived through it, and our fourth kid was even PLANNED after all of that. ;)

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  21. Becky says:

    Congratulations! Praying for a good pregnancy for Allison. And if you decide to go for anymore, I’m sure that after three its really just a number – I’m one of five and I think at some point my parents just gave up and let chaos reign except in the most important things…

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  22. Kristin says:

    Congratulations!

    And my husband attended his first ultrasound with baby number 2 last week, and declared it to look like an oyster. You never know what you’re going to see, but I, too, breathed a sigh of relief when there was only one baby in there!

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  23. Dyanna says:

    Congrats!!!

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  24. Scissorbill says:

    Three isn’t easy but it’s also not as hard as I imagined. Congratulations!

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  25. Kirsty says:

    Congratulations!! Going from 2 to 3 was much easier than from 1 to 2 (for us).

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  26. Trysha says:

    Congratulations!!
    I think going from 2-3 was hard. My oldest two are 13 months apart, it was exhausting, but we would divide and conquer. Once Shane was born (the third) that strategy went straight out the window.
    It’s so fantastic to see this news this week. I’ve had 3 friends announce divorces and that’s just plain sad. Seeing this is so absolutely wonderful and uplifting. :)

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  27. Natasha R says:

    Congratulations!!

    The beginning of the post made me laugh a lot :)
    Also, I don’t see the gargoyle which I think is a good thing ;)

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  28. Rhonda says:

    Oh how cool, another baby. Congrats!

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  29. Jenny says:

    Congrats! You are so blessed to have this adventure in life. Take it all in and enjoy. You have a beautiful family. I like how you wrote up this story also, cute post.

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  30. Awesome! Gargoyle head and all. :) Congratulations!

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  31. Becca says:

    Yay! And I, too, now only see a gargoyle.

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  32. Lydia says:

    Congrats! I must say, “yea for you guys”! Glad you are already planning your strategies. I think you will fall into the swing of things pretty well — you are great parents (from what I can tell) and your children are, and will be well loved.

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  33. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ryan Detzel and Ryan Detzel, Sheila Johnson. Sheila Johnson said: RT@DetzelPretzel We're officially outnumbered… http://t.co/uGqbvpB via @detzelpretzel//YAHOO us too! Congrats! [...]

  34. Sarah Fowler says:

    I don’t have kids, but my parents (and many other wise parents I know) always said going from two to three was MUCH easier than going from one to two. And they said going from three to four was not a big deal at all, and after four you hardly even notice five, six, seven… ;-)
    Congratulations on the new little one; what a blessing!

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  35. Tracie says:

    Congrats on your growing family. How wonderful. You will manage with joy and grace because you just will. My sister-in-law had her 3rd when her first two were older. She was frustrated about going back to the baby stuff, but it has been a complete joy. Awesome!

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  36. Julie says:

    Congratulations!!! If this doesn’t get you out of your funk, nothing will. The Lord will give you how ever many children He knows you can handle. You and Allison will continue to be great parents!!! Best wishes for a very noisy house!!!

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  37. Lisa says:

    Congratulations! I hesitate to say it, but 1 to 2 was so much easier than 2 to 3 for us. I am TIRED.

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  38. Sarah C says:

    Congrats! Dito on the ya’ll make beautiful babys.
    I have three. My first two are 20 months apart. I think #3 is eaiser then #2 was. At least now when you are busy with #3 there are two others. Two are always much louder then one. Do you see where I’m going here. See when you had Finn and all was really quiet, you problay had to get up and go find out what Eva was getting herself into. Now when your busy with #3 the other two will try to go sneak off & get into trouble but two make to much noise giggling so you will always know what they are up to ;)
    But good luck to ya when they turn teenagers :(

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  39. Kristi in CA says:

    Congrats!!! This is so amazing.

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  40. MaryL says:

    Congratulations!!!

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  41. emily says:

    CONGRATS! & FYI: “30″ is still young..

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  42. ashleigh says:

    I love it! Congratulations – and GOOD LUCK! 30 is still young. I had my second (and last) at 31!

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  43. Tiffany says:

    Wonderful news! Congratulations!!!

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  44. Stephanie says:

    Congratulations! Count your blessings that you will be able to parent three amazing children! We were only given the opportunity to have one child, and we’ve talked many times about how much we’d like to have had one or two more children. I’m very exicited for you and Ally.

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  45. Lisa says:

    Congrats! It will be crazy at first, but 3 is no big deal. Going from 1-2 nearly put my in the psych ward. ;) From 2-3 was easier becase the other two had each other to play with – I wasn’t their only source of entertainment.
    All of our kids were 20-23 months apart, for some very close, but for us perfect. You’ll figure it out and it will be so much easier because this time around, you actually know what you’re doing!! ;o)

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  46. Kat says:

    Congratulations! I have no children, so I have no words of wisdom on going from 2 to 3 children. I’ve heard it gets “easier” though…

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  47. Katie says:

    Congratulations! Would now be a good time to share my theory about third children and how wild they are?

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  48. Sam says:

    What a blessing!!! Yeehaw!!!

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  49. Sarah says:

    Congrats! Awesome! I love reading your blog and can’t wait for new baby stories!

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  50. amanda says:

    Eeeeek! Congratulations on such exciting news :)

    I’ve recently been watching some of my good friends make the 2 to 3 kiddos transition, and while it’s been not easy, it’s also been amazingly cool too. I’m sure you guys will handle it like champs!

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  51. Tricia says:

    Many congratulations to you and yours. I laughed at myself for getting a bit misty over your good news (considering I don’t actually know you or anything), but a baby is such a terrifyingly wonderful blessing. Trust me … going from 2 to 3 is the EASIEST transition. The family dynamic doesn’t change (the other children already know life with a sibling) and you’re now old pros at being parents. My third (and quite unplanned) child taught me to relax and enjoy a bit more; I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

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  52. Amber says:

    Wow that is awesome! Congratulations!

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  53. Ange says:

    So awesome and so exciting! Congratulations to you :)

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  54. Christa says:

    Congrats! I was kinda joking when I commented earlier that having another baby was a way to get out of a rut. But I do believe, if I understand how this baby thing works, the deed was already done by then.

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  55. D. Marie says:

    Yay! And HOLY CRAP! Three kids?! I’m praying for you guys, starting right now. Holy, holy moly.

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  56. Jennifer S says:

    Fantastic. God always uses his creations to change our lives…

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  57. DeborahB says:

    Aw! Congrats you guys! Lots of prayers for peace and patience for you two! And of course for a healthy and happy baby. :)

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  58. Natasha P. says:

    Congrats on bambino #3! Very exciting!

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  59. loudogg says:

    WOW, Congratulations!

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  60. How exciting! Congrats!! Our first babe is due October 1st!!

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  61. Congratulations! That is very exciting news.

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  62. summer says:

    Congratulations!! How exciting!

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  63. Maureen says:

    Congrats to you both – you guys are awesome at making beautiful children!

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  64. Heather says:

    Congratulations! :)

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  65. WONDERFUL NEWS!! Congratulations!!

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  66. Melissa K says:

    Congrats! You seem like a wonderful Papa, so I’m certain this new little one is very lucky to be born into your family!

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  67. girlymama says:

    i feel exactly the same way. sometimes i look in the rearview mirror of my minivan (MINIVAN!) and think where did these kids come from?

    congrats!

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  68. Colleen says:

    Congrats Ryan and Allison!

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  69. Gentrie says:

    Congradulations! I only have one so I know nothing about going to 3. I would have more if I could though!

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  70. Pam P says:

    I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! I have no idea how to explain it, but I was going to give you grief in my last comment that it was time for another baby! Congrats you two! You make beautiful babies :)

    Now you must promise us all something. You have not been the most prolific blogger these past few months and the video of Finn showed how long it had been since we saw his cute face. No. 3 should get the full blog treatment, ok?

    Yeah Detzel baby!

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  71. CookieD'oh says:

    Congratulations! I’m still praying for #3. Maybe someday.

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  72. Renee says:

    Congratulations!

    We want 3. But first we need one – planning to get to work on that next month.

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  73. Sharon says:

    Congratulations Family!! :)

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  74. CateS says:

    Hey ! I’m a #3 child & it’s pretty cool growing up! You watch the older ones do stupid things & figure out what not to do… Of course, my mom claims that I could drive her right up to the edge…. then back off & go read a book — she was sooooo ready to sit me in the corner — but noooo I’d back off.. I think that’s what gave her grey hair! #3 is the one that you can sit back & say ‘well it didn’t harm the other two when they did ‘whatever’.. Relax & enjoy.. the older two will help out also… well at least one of mine did… the other one was too cool & 5 years older.

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  75. Anneli says:

    Hurray, congratulations!! :D

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  76. Katherine M says:

    Congratulations!!

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  77. jan says:

    Congratulations ~~ It is all in HIS master plan that God has blessed you with children to raise for Him

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  78. Kamaile says:

    Congratulations! You are blessed!

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  79. eileen says:

    Congratulations to you and your family…what a joy. It is good to hear happiness in your voice again…
    keep the words coming.
    Happy Valentines day :)

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  80. Kimberly says:

    WOOHOOO!!! Happy Valentines day to you love birds! Glad you found something to do in all the cold weather.

    BTW….going to 3 kids was a snap! Enjoy!

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  81. Congratulations! I’m so happy for your family.

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  82. Beth Whitney says:

    As a mom of 3 girls, one of whom was “planned”, going from 2 to 3 isn’t as big of a jump. Really didn’t make that much of a difference in laundry, cost, etc. Congrats to you all!!

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  83. Mary says:

    WOW, yep I was outnumbered with 3 also, good luck, congratulations to yo all, so fun.

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  84. Christi says:

    Our 3rd just turned 9 months and she has been the EASIEST baby on record. Everyone told me that the 3rd one would arrive knowing they just had to fit in and “everyone” was right. She just goes with the flow. 3 is scarier in theory but wonderful in reality!

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  85. Ernestine says:

    Wow! I haven’t checked your site in a while and I was thinking “I wonder how they are doing” and thought briefly you might anounce another pregnancy and it happened! Congratulations!

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  86. ohmystinkinheck!
    that’s wonderful! fabulous! I’m so happy for all of you!!!

    And you are correct about the out numbered part. I have three boys. Three boys in five years. Whew. It was a wild ride. And I’d give almost anything to do it all over again.

    Your children are blessed to have such wonderful, caring, responsible, loving parents.
    congrats
    xo
    maureen

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  87. Kathy W. says:

    HOW have I not seen this before? Have I been THAT busy that I haven’t read your blog in days? I guess so.

    Anyway, CONGRATS!!! That is SO exciting! My son will be 3 on Friday and my husband and I are trying for a second little one. Hopefully it was happen. In the meantime, I am SO happy for you! Does the Pioneer Woman know? She loves her some babies! :)

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  88. jenn3250 says:

    Congrats! We called our baby skeletor for a while and couldn’t look at one of the pictures because it seriously looked just like a skeletor baby. It got better though!

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  89. Annie B says:

    What wonderful news! Happy baby #3!!

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  90. Anna says:

    Congratulations! Don’t worry, the worst is over: one kid feels like two; two kids feel like four; three kids feel like two : )

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  91. Diane in Cincinnati says:

    Congratulations – you are assisting God with a 3rd miracle!

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  92. Lindsay says:

    Congratulations! 2 to 3…not a problem. :)

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  93. Sherri M says:

    Congratulations!

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  94. naomi says:

    Going from two to three is actually easier. Way. When we had our second one, our first was really used to being IT. Especially since we had been married 7 years and trying for some time to conceive before we adopted him. He was the center of the universe and it was hard to have to share the spotlight. When you already have two, they are used to sharing your attention and also have each other to play with, so you can more easily tend to the new one without so many ruffled feathers. At least that was our experience. So happy for all FIVE of you!

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  95. Jenn W says:

    Two to three is easy. It’s nothing. Except for the diapers on 2 kids. yuck. Our oldest daughter is 2 1/2 years older than the middle boy. The middle boy is 16 months older than the youngest girl. So, my boy couldn’t walk with enough stability by himself so I had a baby in a carrier, holding the hand of a 16 month old and trying to keep the 4 year old right by me. I’m lucky, I’ve got good kids. Seriously, if I knew then what I know now, the first 2 would have been closer in age.

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  96. Ashley says:

    Congrats! And hilarious summary…

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  97. Erika says:

    We are unexpectedly expecting our number 3. Now we’re outnumbered! We are having our little girl after two boys though, so I’m psyched. Congratulations on your little peaanut.

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  98. Swimtaxi234 says:

    Congratulations and may God continue to bless your family.

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  99. Shawna says:

    Congratulations on your little blessing!

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  100. this made me laugh out loud for real! Very glad I found your blog. Congratulations and good luck!!

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  101. Kapur says:

    Awww that’s great news indeed! I didn’t think going from 2 to 3 was as bad as I’d feared. Only watch out for the “big J.” I couldn’t believe that my super caring, darling daughter would be so jealous of a new baby. But they all do grow to love and need each other with parents who truly love their brood. Congrats!

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  102. Sandra says:

    Congratulations to the entire family. I’ve not been able to stop by in a while — how are you healing from your motorcycle accident? I’ve prayed for you as you came to mind.

    God’s grace is enough, even for establishing a good zone offense/defense.

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  103. Christina says:

    I just wanted to add my congratulations!! It’s exciting and the terror will slowly fade away. :)

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