We have 3 too! When we had our third it did EXACTLY what you guys said it humbled me and my husband. I was pretty confident in my parenting abilities and then God was like here let me give you baby James lol. He also had a lip and tongue tie and would cry allllll the time. I explained this so many times to the pediatrician but he wasn’t diagnosed until 8 months!!!! And only because I went to a lactation consultant. So it was rough!!! Soooo much crying. He’s 18 months now and is still my wild guy and VERY attached to me. But my husband and I went on a marriage retreat with our church recently and it was sooooo needed. Continue to do your date nights because it’s so important!! Thank you for sharing I laughed with you guys and even teared up some! So relatable!!!! ❤ praying for the East family! That God would bless you and keep you! Praying for your kids to have rooted and established relationships with the Lord from a young age!
From a 7 week postpartum Mom from Iowa (we now have 2 boys and 1 girl too) 😊; thank you for this conversation! You both mentioned soooo many things that my husband and I are feeling too and I am so grateful to get reminded that these things are “normal!”
What a great vlog! I'm 65 and had babies at the ages of 21, 33 &36. My youngest kids are near your age. I love so many things about this episode: you are REAL, no fancy make-up, no misleading tips, and honest communication and feedback. Well done! I like how you explained you are not experts but people traveling on this journey. And to that I will tell you that those of us who came before you totally understand and know you are being truthful. Becoming and being a parent is the hardest job I ever had. My youngest daughter is expecting our first grandchild in June. I'm thrilled and over the moon with excitement. I'm listening to learn (or remember) all that you are going through so I can be a helpful grandma and not an interloper. I'm going to suggest your channel to them. I think they can relate to you!
You can’t knock a van until you’ve test driven one. Shorter for climbing into. Keeps kids from throwing open the side doors to hit the other cars in parking lots. Allows younger children the easy access into and out of and the ease of walking through the middle aisle to buckle themselves into the third row. But mainly, the huge back area for luggage on big road trips. The new mini vans are luxurious and perfect for 3 young children. I became a huge fan when I test drove a Honda odyssey and now my kids are grown and I still love it. Convenience and class all at once!
We are parents to 6 grown children. We had no family around and I was a stay at home mom. I had no help. Dad always went back to work like immediately. 3 was a difficult transition, but my husband was not able to help. I loved it and they are all grown now. You just take it a day at a time and moment at a time. Treasure every moment
I’m a big fan of the Shawn and Andrew videos just like this! So I’m loving the plan for 2024 to focus on more of these, keep them coming 😊 Also I LOVE that you want to find solutions to help support moms / dads / families more. As a single mom 24/7 (sole custody) I can tell you there is a gap in the system of the support available to moms especially during the early years. I got divorced when my daughter was 1 year old and started my life completely over from scratch. I started my own business and created a life for my daughter and me all while being a stay at home mom with very little help. My daughter is 4 now and I’m just imagining how much easier sole parenting will be for me once she starts 4k and has school 4 days a week. So the gap I’ve identified is that there’s little to no support for sole moms with children under age 4/5. Wanted to share that insight with you in case it helps your mission in some way. I love you guys ❤
Yes, don't forget about NASH, he's so beautiful and such a wonderful friend. Goldens are the BEST in the world. They are far above any human. Sad but true, wish all humans had the compassion and love as goldens.
I have four kids, ages 14, 15, 18 and 20. I remember the early days of young kids and babies. You guys are doing a great job and will come out of this fog soon enough. Hang in there!
As someone who holds a developmental therapy degree, I’m telling you that adding to children’s storehouse of pure things they do build on and what they will draw from is so important everything you’re doing is constructive. Great job, guys!
This was so good! When my kids were in the "scared of monster phase" we made MONSTER SPRAY! A spray bottle with water with a couple drops of essential oils. Let your kid spray all the places in their room to keep the monsters away! It worked for us!!
My friend who has a family of 4 said this to me. Your capacity only expands when you have more kids, you start being able to handle a lot more. You guys are rocking it!!! Thank God he doesn’t keep us in the same season forever and we are forever growing and changing seeds in this life, with a light at the end of the tunnel always.
I would highly recommend have Bear see a pediatric chiropractor if he isn’t already. Our 2nd baby slept great but was very colicky when awake and also had a lip/tongue tie revision. We started taking her to a pediatric chiropractor and gave her probiotics and it was night and day different. We did this for about a year. Now she’s 4 and thriving!
@CL-xyz9987Actually, infants and young toddlers do need them. I took them. I took my son to one quite frequently to get him adjusted. He slept better. He did better and they wanted to put tubes in his ears and the Doctor adjusted his neck and all that stuff and told me to wait over the summer and see what would happen. And he ended up not even having to put the tubes in his ears. Do you not think that the way they get picked up? And then the way they sleep and fall asleep in the car seat. Do not think that they might get a little kinked. At first they're really soft. But after that, when their bones are hard at you know, there're a little more struck a structurally sound. They do need to see a chiropractor there's nothing wrong with that. I don't know why they're saying that they're needs to see one I don't understand that but I don't know
Ya know, for a couple who says they are still figuring it out, yall really have it figured out! ❤ Doing a great job! I really enjoy your videos and podcasts. God bless you! 💖
Thank you for this. We have 3 children almost indentical in age to yours and this resonated so much with me. Our third just turned a month old and I'm so grateful for the solidarity and the honesty. I too, miss time with my "biggs!" We also have two boys and one girl. It's nice to listen to this video while I'm nursing the baby and the older two are playing. God bless you and your littles!
Love you guys! 👏🥰 Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing all your experiences and letting other people know you guys are not the only ones going through the challenges of being parents!
I just had my 4th a month before you guys! Your podcasts have been heaven sent! My husband and I love being parents so much. It’s a crazy, awesome adventure! 3 threw us for a loop too. It was hard but we found our footing again and even decided to add another after that lol. My first little guy had a tongue and lip tie too but the hospital “lactation consultant” missed it completely. She even had the nerve to tell me, a brand new mom, I was starving my baby. I spent 6 weeks struggling to feed my little guy. I went to 4 or 5 different lactation consultants and finally someone mentioned a tongue tie. I was like what is that? It was weird because she just said here take this home and read it and you see if you think he has a tongue tie. I was confused why they were so weird about it and I was so done at this point. From what I read I thought he had a tongue tie for sure! I hoped I could research and find someone in my area that was an expert at the process and could help us out. Luckily, I found a dentist in our area that specialized in it. She made quick work of it. My little guy started gaining weight 😁and I was not in excruciating pain anymore 🥴 . That was 6 years ago. I’m curious of your experience? Maybe tongue ties are better understood now. But if you feel up to it someday I think some talk on this subject could help a lot of families!
I love these videos. We have a 17 month old daughter and baby girl #2 is due next month, and it brings me so much peace to hear how you guys have handled and prepared for your new baby!
Whatever you two can do to help other mamas stay home past 5 weeks would be an ultimate blessing….here in Canada parental leave can be shared or all one parent for up to a year, government supported. Strong family makes strong community. I have 5 grown children and I cannot fathom having had to go back to a teaching job after 5 weeks.
I'm so glad I found you guys. I'm having my first kid in December and we want 4 total, but I think I'll listen to you guys on repeat through post-partum and with each kid. :)
Welcome back! We don’t have kids. Infertility plagued us. Oh well. Life moves on, but it wasn’t easy. Decades filled with heart ache. Anyway, we have a minivan! And it is so comfortable to travel in! And it gets great gas mileage. We didn’t seek it out, it found us, and I felt weird for a long time driving it with no kids, but we like it so much, my husband wants our next car to be one as well. Honda Odyssey. Well worth it! I know an older couple whose kids are all grown with families of their own, and she prefers a minivan also. She travels a lot and needs the space to haul her crafty goods, and sometimes she even sleeps in it on long travels when she can’t find a hotel. Anyway, we recommend one, with it without kids!
And stopping hanging out with couples without kids is isolating to them. For us, we did not choose childlessness. So when our friends started having kids and purposely uninviting us to group activities with each other, on purpose, it only made our situation all the more depressing and isolating. We did not choose this life. Please don’t make it harder. I understand if your friends don’t want kids, but the ones that do, keep hanging out with them. They want to hang out with you and your kids. Especially if they live far away from their own extended families. But don’t automatically use them as babysitters. They want to hang out with adults too. So if it’s a date night for you as a couple, and they offer, fine, but if you are going to hang out with others couples, bring them along, don’t leave them with the kids while you hang out with other couples. It was our church friends who purposely left us out. My husband even confronted them, and they were unapologetic about it. None of them are our friends anymore. And we’ve been left behind.
LOVE your channels!❤ Maybe it's bcuz I babysat ALOT before becoming a young mom at 20 or because I'm 100% a single mother of 3... I really do think having 1 kid to having the 2nd was by far the hardest transition! One seemed like alot of trial & error lol but 2 was sooo much, then by the 3rd kid it was smooth sailing. My kids are 2 years apart. Girl, boy, boy like you guys. I always just included the older kids in helping me and always made a big effort to give each kid special one on one time at least 20minutes a day. Read a book, play a game, snuggle, draw w/ sidewalk chalk etc. I had a miscarriage in between the 1st and 2nd. All 3 kids were preemie & NICU graduates. I did it alone and sometimes I think back and idk how. My oldest boy is Autistic and my oldest will be 18 soon and graduating. They are troopers and my world... we've had quite a journey so far! I miss them being little so much...embrace these moments...all of em!
The 2nd to 3rd was hardest. Because I was so over my head I had to drop the ball in so many areas of my life. My kids are now 19, 22 & 24 and there are parts of me I never got back - but having such an intense and demanding experience forces you to grow on a more profound level. I never could have gained that profound perspective if I never had kids.
My husband and I are planning on our first. Trying to figure out maternity leave and I’m already heart broken I’ll only have 5-6 weeks before we have to transition to day care. Glad you both were able to get that time!
Love Shawn’s comment on cleaning when’s she’s mad or overwhelmed. It’s 1000% me. Thank you for putting it into words 😅❤ I have one boy & he was colic & it was so insanely hard. I can’t wait to have more babies but the colic fog is still haunting me 😂 but you can handle ANYTHING I’m convinced after a colic-babe. Take care of yourselves! You need your time to take care of all of your babies ❤
I’m a mom of three. I think it also depends on the age of your kids when you welcome your third child. My 3rd was the easiest transition for me but my oldest two were older 7 and 8. My transition from one to two was the hardest just due to the fact of having a preemie and a toddler who just learned to walk. Every stage you just learn to take it all in, The fog, the crazy, the little moments of absolute joy. Great job to you both! ❤
I could not agree more with Shawn’s comment on cleaning when overwhelmed I fully can not feel whole if my surroundings are chaos but sometimes I have guilt that I spent more time cleaning and keeping myself organized than spending more quality time with my kids, we are all trying to figure it out and there is no right or wrong and each phase brings something new. The song Next thing you know by Jordan Davis says it all in such a short song and that’s how fast it goes!
Yall a beautiful couple and great pa. I love how important your walk with Jesus is vital in your life not just individually but as a family. God bless. Young parents can learn so much from you as you walk through life holistically.
I’m so glad I watched this ❤ my husband and I just welcomed our second, and the overarching thought has been “we have a kid already- why is this so hard?!” So thankful I’m not alone! Love your family! ❤️
I’ve never related to a parenting video more. The pause that your relationship goes on with a new baby, the way you have to split up the family and mama sacrifices time with the bigs to take care of the baby. The way you start to get time back and can’t bring yourself to take any of it SOLELY for yourself because you miss your bigs and your husband. And you recognize how hard that time is, but appreciate that it’s a phase and you will get through it. Can we be friends? 😂 My husband and I need parents like you in our lives 😂😂
The reason...You are real, Kind, faithful and very much what is the dream of most that is not attained by many. It is fun to watch and very much inspiring in many ways and levels. And the Key..God and faith is in the center of it all... Blessings and Thank you
I get it Shaun 🤣😂 we still love you both you guys are so awesome many blessings and God give them patience and love all will go great in raising your family of beautiful babies💐💐💐💐💐
just let life run its course and understand what both of you are going through. I have had 4 children under 6 and I am still with my husband going on 39 years.
You may not have any drama in high school. My two girls weren’t dramatic and I had so much fun having all of the kids’ friends over! You’ll have a blast!!! 🎉🥰
I don't understand why drama is the first thing people think of when it comes to having girls! Just like you said, seems like it doesn't have to be bad.
We all love your family and love following your family as you grow and experience life. I get so excited for each post and podcast. Never have I ever not enjoyed one. Thanks for sharing with us and taking us along for the ride. ❤️
So so true! We're expecting our third, and I work as a nurse. We don't get any paid time off. If I'm lucky I'll have 3 weeks of PTO saved I can use, but that's about all I'll get 😢
Once you go minivan you'll never go back! I love my mini van. My 3 kids are now 14, 12, and 10 and you will have to pry my minivan out of my cold dead hands. LOL
Three was the hardest transition because my husband was gone a lot with the military and work. So, he was only home with me for a little bit in the beginning. Therefore, even the smallest errands were a juggle since I was the one with all three most of the time. But, they were had four and three was still the most difficult adjustment. After three, they just blend in though so have more if you want! If you make it past three, it’s no biggie to have others! 😅 💕
For us, 0 to 1 was the hardest on our relationship and especially it being 2020. 1 to 2 was a little rough but a little easier, 2 to 3 was the easiest recovery, we were more relaxed and for the most part has been the easiest. Exclusively pumping with 2 and 3 actually made it easier for me
She seems so annoyed lol however, that's just newborn life and growing a Family. I appreciate y'all sharing and taking your time to sit down and speak on this subject. Hang in there y'all xoxo
Chiming in ….. I couldn’t help chuckling about Shawna’s worries regarding Nash when you had Drew. Nash didn’t make the list of concerns about her spending time with him. It’s all about the “bigs” now. Oh how things change! I also remember how focused you were about putting your marriage before your kids. Ideally that is I,portent just not realistic in this phase. Having your focus on the importance of a strong relationship will help you get back to putting more emphasis on couple time 45:09 sooner though.😅 Very wise to recognize that “you” time is important too. Definitely something to strive for in the first year. Last ….curious if there are things you said you’d never do that you do. Eg. I could never understand why people let their kids run around with a runny nose or drool. Then I learned that if you have a child who never stops drooling or having a runny nose during a phase such as teething that you can’t keep up or they’d have a raw noes or face and/or you’d be a helicopter parent and get nothing else done. Perspective changes as you experience things first hand.
I went back to work at 6 weeks. At the time 21 years ago they didn’t allow much time. With that being said I think it has changed. At that time I work at Principal Financial Group.
Shawn, thank you for recognizing that not everyone is blessed to take so much time off after their baby is born. Thirty years ago I could only take 6 weeks ( 2 were unpaid). I was only one year into a new job and my husband literally was supposed to start a new job the day our son was born. He only had one week home. But I felt blessed to have a job and insurance. We have 3 kids but they are 14 years apart. I think that was kid of easier. Additional diaper changers.
You are BOTH , TERRIFIC PARENTS & PARTNERS, as you are adjusting to your third child, you are doing it with LOVE & PATIENCE. You are VERY MATURE in your thoughts, actions & motives. BLESS YOU ! Try to ENJOY EACH stage of their lives ! It REALLY does go by SO-O-O FAST ! I as a Nana LOVE the MEMORIES I have, of my 4 SONS, each WONDERFUL, in their own way.The PURE JOY, of my Granddaughters, is PRECIOUS & PRICELESS, as I watched them mature into WONDERFUL & BEAUTIFUL Young Ladies. My PRECIOUS MEMORIES, of taking care of them, BLESS my life ! SENDING LOVE, PRAYERS & HUGS ! ❤️ 🙏🏻 🤗 🫂 🐕🐾🐕🦺
💜💜💜 Shawn, I have a feeling you might be really struggling and maybe a lot of guilt attached to that - but PLEASE know the level of support and resources you might have around you doesn't mean you can't get postnatal depression - it DEFINITELY doesn't mean you ought to be able to 'snap out of it' and "be grateful" for all you have around you. Plse, plse, open up to your pediatrician- he sounds very supportive and he, nor any other professional will not judge you. 💜💜💜
You should read Goldilocks and the 3 Bears to the kiddos!!! And you could explain to The Biggs how Goldie was such a precious girls name to you!!! Glad things are starting to calm down and even out. It’s quite an adjustment for any family with multiple children. I had two girls and my parents helped me and my husband out TREMENDOUSLY!!!! ( BTW, both of them are now both you and Shawn’s ages!!! ). Hey Andrew, when are you going to interview Drew and Jett again? I think Drew will be so very cute and attentive. Jett might still be all over the map like last time, but he still did very well for his age and he was sooo adorable!! The more you do it with the kiddos, the more comfortable they become. Can’t wait until Bear is interviewed!! 💕💕💕💕
So relatable to you guys! We have such a similar family. We have a 3.5 year old girl, 1.5 year old boy, and newborn boy 🩷💙💙 also had 3 csections. Totally agree with the minivan situation too, suv only, I could not do a minivan 😂 love you guys!
OMG I can't believe that the US doesn't have parental leave on the national level. I had my youngest 29 years ago (here in Canada) and even back then we immediately got 6 months leave where you received employment insurance and your employer had to hold you job for you. I believe that is now up to 18 months (and it can be either parent than takes it, or a combination of both)
I didn't use the word no...I had a thing about toddlers who said no to everything...so, I used phrases like get down, don't touch, etc. It seemed like they seemed to grasp it better than just to say no but I could be delusional. 😂🤣😂
It’s so sad that this country doesn’t even allow a mother to heal before going by back. I had an emergency c-section and was called to come back part time (mandatory) because they were short staffed. Even at that time I wasn’t even cleared to drive.
I agree 0-1 kid is a massive shift in lifestyle and identity. I feel 1-2 is more mum guilt shift of feeling like the first born is missing out on that one on one time
It’s such a short time in the scheme of things. When you get older you will look back and say I wish I could go back and appreciate it more. My husband used to say “ all I wish I had to worry about was poopy diapers “. This to shall pass so enjoy it.
As a December baby... I came home Christmas eve. I remember hearing stories of Mama being worried about too many coming over to see us. My sister turned 2 in January after I was born. He will know his true friends as he gets older, because of his birthday, lol. I'm 53 people love to combine presents and always have
My son and his wife have 5 kids and he wants one more but probably won’t have. Their age is 5 to 19 . They had their kids like 3 years apart. I had no help with my 2 kids , my husband worked 9 am to 9 pm .
Be gentle with yourself. You are a newborn mother of three now. As gentle as you are with Bear is exactly how gentle your needs are as well. The true wisdom to glean from this season is you are not in control. Relax and lean into Jesus. His plan for your family is so much better than anything you could dream. Joy
I had 4 babies and my oldest was 5 1/2 when my 4th child was born. My last one weighed just an ounce and a half away from being an 11 pounder! I decided that if I didn’t stop now my fifth child of way 13 pounds so we had four children and now five grandchildren! Life goes way too fast!
Unfortunately, if there are sicknesses in the house it is unlikely the infant won't get it or some form, it is almost impossible to not transfer. Coming from a daycare background and taking care of kids, the best thing to do is have noise and do the dishes, vacuum all of it so baby does not wake up with every little noise and can learn to sleep anywhere.
You both have so calming voices, and overall the atmosphere is so calming and welcoming. It was a pleasure listening to you!
We have 3 too! When we had our third it did EXACTLY what you guys said it humbled me and my husband. I was pretty confident in my parenting abilities and then God was like here let me give you baby James lol. He also had a lip and tongue tie and would cry allllll the time. I explained this so many times to the pediatrician but he wasn’t diagnosed until 8 months!!!! And only because I went to a lactation consultant. So it was rough!!! Soooo much crying. He’s 18 months now and is still my wild guy and VERY attached to me. But my husband and I went on a marriage retreat with our church recently and it was sooooo needed. Continue to do your date nights because it’s so important!!
Thank you for sharing I laughed with you guys and even teared up some! So relatable!!!! ❤ praying for the East family! That God would bless you and keep you! Praying for your kids to have rooted and established relationships with the Lord from a young age!
From a 7 week postpartum Mom from Iowa (we now have 2 boys and 1 girl too) 😊; thank you for this conversation! You both mentioned soooo many things that my husband and I are feeling too and I am so grateful to get reminded that these things are “normal!”
What a great vlog! I'm 65 and had babies at the ages of 21, 33 &36. My youngest kids are near your age. I love so many things about this episode: you are REAL, no fancy make-up, no misleading tips, and honest communication and feedback. Well done! I like how you explained you are not experts but people traveling on this journey. And to that I will tell you that those of us who came before you totally understand and know you are being truthful. Becoming and being a parent is the hardest job I ever had. My youngest daughter is expecting our first grandchild in June. I'm thrilled and over the moon with excitement. I'm listening to learn (or remember) all that you are going through so I can be a helpful grandma and not an interloper. I'm going to suggest your channel to them. I think they can relate to you!
It's their podcast not a vlog.
Mama of two all it takes for someone to BRING attention to this topic postpartum time off and I'm bawling. You guys are the best
You can’t knock a van until you’ve test driven one. Shorter for climbing into. Keeps kids from throwing open the side doors to hit the other cars in parking lots. Allows younger children the easy access into and out of and the ease of walking through the middle aisle to buckle themselves into the third row. But mainly, the huge back area for luggage on big road trips. The new mini vans are luxurious and perfect for 3 young children. I became a huge fan when I test drove a Honda odyssey and now my kids are grown and I still love it. Convenience and class all at once!
😊😊
We are parents to 6 grown children. We had no family around and I was a stay at home mom. I had no help. Dad always went back to work like immediately. 3 was a difficult transition, but my husband was not able to help. I loved it and they are all grown now. You just take it a day at a time and moment at a time. Treasure every moment
I’m a big fan of the Shawn and Andrew videos just like this! So I’m loving the plan for 2024 to focus on more of these, keep them coming 😊
Also I LOVE that you want to find solutions to help support moms / dads / families more.
As a single mom 24/7 (sole custody) I can tell you there is a gap in the system of the support available to moms especially during the early years. I got divorced when my daughter was 1 year old and started my life completely over from scratch. I started my own business and created a life for my daughter and me all while being a stay at home mom with very little help.
My daughter is 4 now and I’m just imagining how much easier sole parenting will be for me once she starts 4k and has school 4 days a week. So the gap I’ve identified is that there’s little to no support for sole moms with children under age 4/5.
Wanted to share that insight with you in case it helps your mission in some way.
I love you guys ❤
What a God's blessing is Shawn's passion to help mother's out there take care of their new borns 🙌🩵
The way you guys are explaining exactly how I am feeling after having my second child in January!!! ❤
Yes, don't forget about NASH, he's so beautiful and such a wonderful friend. Goldens are the BEST in the world. They are far above any human. Sad but true, wish all humans had the compassion and love as goldens.
I have four kids, ages 14, 15, 18 and 20. I remember the early days of young kids and babies. You guys are doing a great job and will come out of this fog soon enough. Hang in there!
As someone who holds a developmental therapy degree, I’m telling you that adding to children’s storehouse of pure things they do build on and what they will draw from is so important everything you’re doing is constructive. Great job, guys!
This was so good! When my kids were in the "scared of monster phase" we made MONSTER SPRAY! A spray bottle with water with a couple drops of essential oils. Let your kid spray all the places in their room to keep the monsters away! It worked for us!!
We used lavender and all the sleep oils!!
My friend who has a family of 4 said this to me. Your capacity only expands when you have more kids, you start being able to handle a lot more. You guys are rocking it!!! Thank God he doesn’t keep us in the same season forever and we are forever growing and changing seeds in this life, with a light at the end of the tunnel always.
You guys are doing great! 3 children is the hardest. I have 8, believe me, I know from experience. Love listening and watching you two. 🥰
I would highly recommend have Bear see a pediatric chiropractor if he isn’t already. Our 2nd baby slept great but was very colicky when awake and also had a lip/tongue tie revision. We started taking her to a pediatric chiropractor and gave her probiotics and it was night and day different. We did this for about a year. Now she’s 4 and thriving!
Yes. They. Do. Stop gaslighting parents
@CL-xyz9987Actually, infants and young toddlers do need them. I took them. I took my son to one quite frequently to get him adjusted. He slept better. He did better and they wanted to put tubes in his ears and the Doctor adjusted his neck and all that stuff and told me to wait over the summer and see what would happen. And he ended up not even having to put the tubes in his ears. Do you not think that the way they get picked up? And then the way they sleep and fall asleep in the car seat. Do not think that they might get a little kinked. At first they're really soft. But after that, when their bones are hard at you know, there're a little more struck a structurally sound. They do need to see a chiropractor there's nothing wrong with that. I don't know why they're saying that they're needs to see one I don't understand that but I don't know
Ya know, for a couple who says they are still figuring it out, yall really have it figured out! ❤ Doing a great job! I really enjoy your videos and podcasts. God bless you! 💖
Thank you for this. We have 3 children almost indentical in age to yours and this resonated so much with me. Our third just turned a month old and I'm so grateful for the solidarity and the honesty. I too, miss time with my "biggs!" We also have two boys and one girl. It's nice to listen to this video while I'm nursing the baby and the older two are playing. God bless you and your littles!
Love you guys! 👏🥰 Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing all your experiences and letting other people know you guys are not the only ones going through the challenges of being parents!
I just had my 4th a month before you guys! Your podcasts have been heaven sent! My husband and I love being parents so much. It’s a crazy, awesome adventure! 3 threw us for a loop too. It was hard but we found our footing again and even decided to add another after that lol.
My first little guy had a tongue and lip tie too but the hospital “lactation consultant” missed it completely. She even had the nerve to tell me, a brand new mom, I was starving my baby. I spent 6 weeks struggling to feed my little guy. I went to 4 or 5 different lactation consultants and finally someone mentioned a tongue tie. I was like what is that? It was weird because she just said here take this home and read it and you see if you think he has a tongue tie. I was confused why they were so weird about it and I was so done at this point. From what I read I thought he had a tongue tie for sure! I hoped I could research and find someone in my area that was an expert at the process and could help us out. Luckily, I found a dentist in our area that specialized in it. She made quick work of it. My little guy started gaining weight 😁and I was not in excruciating pain anymore 🥴 .
That was 6 years ago. I’m curious of your experience? Maybe tongue ties are better understood now. But if you feel up to it someday I think some talk on this subject could help a lot of families!
Andrew, grow up!! Stop making her do things!!
@helenfuerst5653 what're you talking about?? Did you mean to reply this comment??
Wow. I can't believe she told you you were starving your baby at such a sensitive time.
I love these videos. We have a 17 month old daughter and baby girl #2 is due next month, and it brings me so much peace to hear how you guys have handled and prepared for your new baby!
Whatever you two can do to help other mamas stay home past 5 weeks would be an ultimate blessing….here in Canada parental leave can be shared or all one parent for up to a year, government supported. Strong family makes strong community. I have 5 grown children and I cannot fathom having had to go back to a teaching job after 5 weeks.
I'm so glad I found you guys. I'm having my first kid in December and we want 4 total, but I think I'll listen to you guys on repeat through post-partum and with each kid. :)
This was an awesome video. I love you all so much. So thankful for people who are so grateful and love life. Good luck with all the kiddos
Welcome back!
We don’t have kids. Infertility plagued us. Oh well. Life moves on, but it wasn’t easy. Decades filled with heart ache. Anyway, we have a minivan! And it is so comfortable to travel in! And it gets great gas mileage. We didn’t seek it out, it found us, and I felt weird for a long time driving it with no kids, but we like it so much, my husband wants our next car to be one as well. Honda Odyssey. Well worth it!
I know an older couple whose kids are all grown with families of their own, and she prefers a minivan also. She travels a lot and needs the space to haul her crafty goods, and sometimes she even sleeps in it on long travels when she can’t find a hotel. Anyway, we recommend one, with it without kids!
And stopping hanging out with couples without kids is isolating to them. For us, we did not choose childlessness. So when our friends started having kids and purposely uninviting us to group activities with each other, on purpose, it only made our situation all the more depressing and isolating. We did not choose this life. Please don’t make it harder. I understand if your friends don’t want kids, but the ones that do, keep hanging out with them. They want to hang out with you and your kids. Especially if they live far away from their own extended families. But don’t automatically use them as babysitters. They want to hang out with adults too. So if it’s a date night for you as a couple, and they offer, fine, but if you are going to hang out with others couples, bring them along, don’t leave them with the kids while you hang out with other couples. It was our church friends who purposely left us out. My husband even confronted them, and they were unapologetic about it. None of them are our friends anymore. And we’ve been left behind.
This was great! Can't wait for part 2 and love the idea of 2024 being more ab yall.
Love watching you guys and how positive you are. You are such great parents!
I have 7 and yes it can be hard at times but the rewards are out of this world❤️
LOVE your channels!❤ Maybe it's bcuz I babysat ALOT before becoming a young mom at 20 or because I'm 100% a single mother of 3... I really do think having 1 kid to having the 2nd was by far the hardest transition! One seemed like alot of trial & error lol but 2 was sooo much, then by the 3rd kid it was smooth sailing. My kids are 2 years apart. Girl, boy, boy like you guys. I always just included the older kids in helping me and always made a big effort to give each kid special one on one time at least 20minutes a day. Read a book, play a game, snuggle, draw w/ sidewalk chalk etc. I had a miscarriage in between the 1st and 2nd. All 3 kids were preemie & NICU graduates. I did it alone and sometimes I think back and idk how. My oldest boy is Autistic and my oldest will be 18 soon and graduating. They are troopers and my world... we've had quite a journey so far! I miss them being little so much...embrace these moments...all of em!
The 2nd to 3rd was hardest. Because I was so over my head I had to drop the ball in so many areas of my life. My kids are now 19, 22 & 24 and there are parts of me I never got back - but having such an intense and demanding experience forces you to grow on a more profound level. I never could have gained that profound perspective if I never had kids.
Man……. Being a mom of 4 boys, one left at home, watching this made me go back to the good ol’ days!! Enjoy it, ❤❤
My husband and I are planning on our first. Trying to figure out maternity leave and I’m already heart broken I’ll only have 5-6 weeks before we have to transition to day care. Glad you both were able to get that time!
That's horrible isn't it. I went back to work after six weeks. I sobbed at work.
Love Shawn’s comment on cleaning when’s she’s mad or overwhelmed. It’s 1000% me. Thank you for putting it into words 😅❤ I have one boy & he was colic & it was so insanely hard. I can’t wait to have more babies but the colic fog is still haunting me 😂 but you can handle ANYTHING I’m convinced after a colic-babe. Take care of yourselves! You need your time to take care of all of your babies ❤
I’m a mom of three. I think it also depends on the age of your kids when you welcome your third child. My 3rd was the easiest transition for me but my oldest two were older 7 and 8. My transition from one to two was the hardest just due to the fact of having a preemie and a toddler who just learned to walk.
Every stage you just learn to take it all in, The fog, the crazy, the little moments of absolute joy. Great job to you both! ❤
I could not agree more with Shawn’s comment on cleaning when overwhelmed I fully can not feel whole if my surroundings are chaos but sometimes I have guilt that I spent more time cleaning and keeping myself organized than spending more quality time with my kids, we are all trying to figure it out and there is no right or wrong and each phase brings something new.
The song Next thing you know by Jordan Davis says it all in such a short song and that’s how fast it goes!
Family of 6! Don’t forget about Nash! ❤️🐕
Yes, dogs are part of the family . So they are a family of 6
When you go from 2 to 3 you go from man to man to zone defence!! 😅
I have bigs and a baby too! Totally relate!
Yall a beautiful couple and great pa. I love how important your walk with Jesus is vital in your life not just individually but as a family. God bless. Young parents can learn so much from you as you walk through life holistically.
I’m so glad I watched this ❤ my husband and I just welcomed our second, and the overarching thought has been “we have a kid already- why is this so hard?!” So thankful I’m not alone! Love your family! ❤️
I’ve never related to a parenting video more. The pause that your relationship goes on with a new baby, the way you have to split up the family and mama sacrifices time with the bigs to take care of the baby. The way you start to get time back and can’t bring yourself to take any of it SOLELY for yourself because you miss your bigs and your husband. And you recognize how hard that time is, but appreciate that it’s a phase and you will get through it. Can we be friends? 😂 My husband and I need parents like you in our lives 😂😂
The reason...You are real, Kind, faithful and very much what is the dream of most that is not attained by many. It is fun to watch and very much inspiring in many ways and levels. And the Key..God and faith is in the center of it all... Blessings and Thank you
Just had our third in January. So good to know the transition is difficult for most people!
I get it Shaun 🤣😂 we still love you both you guys are so awesome many blessings and God give them patience and love all will go great in raising your family of beautiful babies💐💐💐💐💐
You guys r great! Keep it up.❤
just let life run its course and understand what both of you are going through. I have had 4 children under 6 and I am still with my husband going on 39 years.
You may not have any drama in high school. My two girls weren’t dramatic and I had so much fun having all of the kids’ friends over! You’ll have a blast!!! 🎉🥰
I don't understand why drama is the first thing people think of when it comes to having girls! Just like you said, seems like it doesn't have to be bad.
@@SomeOne-zw6khit’s literally a blast! ❤
I really enjoy your talks. It's very encouraging and fun
We all love your family and love following your family as you grow and experience life. I get so excited for each post and podcast. Never have I ever not enjoyed one. Thanks for sharing with us and taking us along for the ride. ❤️
We went 0-2 and then 2-3. I love watching how everyone handles it because it’s all over the map!
The Kia carnival is a mini van that looks similar to an SUV. Minivan is a life changer.
So so true! We're expecting our third, and I work as a nurse. We don't get any paid time off. If I'm lucky I'll have 3 weeks of PTO saved I can use, but that's about all I'll get 😢
Kids are resilient! You are there for them though! They won’t remember what it’s like before Bear. It’s okay! ❤😊
Thank you. For me it is giving everyone the attention they need after my 3rd child.
Once you go minivan you'll never go back! I love my mini van. My 3 kids are now 14, 12, and 10 and you will have to pry my minivan out of my cold dead hands. LOL
Watching Shawn's reaction to Andrew's yodel made me laugh so hard..you two should watch it !!!!
Three was the hardest transition because my husband was gone a lot with the military and work. So, he was only home with me for a little bit in the beginning. Therefore, even the smallest errands were a juggle since I was the one with all three most of the time. But, they were had four and three was still the most difficult adjustment. After three, they just blend in though so have more if you want! If you make it past three, it’s no biggie to have others! 😅 💕
I support you!! I'm having my first baby and can't imagine going back to work at 5 weeks 😩
That’s so cute Goldie like Goldilocks and Bear like the three bears! ❤
For us, 0 to 1 was the hardest on our relationship and especially it being 2020. 1 to 2 was a little rough but a little easier, 2 to 3 was the easiest recovery, we were more relaxed and for the most part has been the easiest. Exclusively pumping with 2 and 3 actually made it easier for me
We have one night a week that we will for sure be intimate each week and that has helped us a lot as we try to get out of the tactical parent phase
She seems so annoyed lol however, that's just newborn life and growing a Family. I appreciate y'all sharing and taking your time to sit down and speak on this subject.
Hang in there y'all xoxo
Chiming in ….. I couldn’t help chuckling about Shawna’s worries regarding Nash when you had Drew. Nash didn’t make the list of concerns about her spending time with him. It’s all about the “bigs” now. Oh how things change!
I also remember how focused you were about putting your marriage before your kids. Ideally that is I,portent just not realistic in this phase. Having your focus on the importance of a strong relationship will help you get back to putting more emphasis on couple time 45:09 sooner though.😅 Very wise to recognize that “you” time is important too. Definitely something to strive for in the first year.
Last ….curious if there are things you said you’d never do that you do. Eg. I could never understand why people let their kids run around with a runny nose or drool. Then I learned that if you have a child who never stops drooling or having a runny nose during a phase such as teething that you can’t keep up or they’d have a raw noes or face and/or you’d be a helicopter parent and get nothing else done. Perspective changes as you experience things first hand.
I went back to work at 6 weeks. At the time 21 years ago they didn’t allow much time. With that being said I think it has changed. At that time I work at Principal Financial Group.
I want to help in anyway I can - to help families have more maternity/paternity leave. I would love to jump in on this cause!!! ❤
Shawn, thank you for recognizing that not everyone is blessed to take so much time off after their baby is born. Thirty years ago I could only take 6 weeks ( 2 were unpaid). I was only one year into a new job and my husband literally was supposed to start a new job the day our son was born. He only had one week home. But I felt blessed to have a job and insurance. We have 3 kids but they are 14 years apart. I think that was kid of easier. Additional diaper changers.
My mom's name was Goldie!! She was born in the 1930's and I've always loved her name.
You are BOTH , TERRIFIC PARENTS & PARTNERS, as you are adjusting to your third child, you are doing it with LOVE & PATIENCE. You are VERY MATURE in your thoughts, actions & motives.
BLESS YOU !
Try to ENJOY EACH stage of their lives ! It REALLY does go by SO-O-O FAST ! I as a Nana LOVE the MEMORIES I have, of my 4 SONS, each WONDERFUL, in their own way.The PURE JOY, of my Granddaughters, is PRECIOUS & PRICELESS, as I watched them mature into WONDERFUL & BEAUTIFUL Young Ladies. My PRECIOUS MEMORIES, of taking care of them, BLESS my life !
SENDING LOVE, PRAYERS & HUGS ! ❤️ 🙏🏻 🤗 🫂 🐕🐾🐕🦺
💜💜💜 Shawn, I have a feeling you might be really struggling and maybe a lot of guilt attached to that - but PLEASE know the level of support and resources you might have around you doesn't mean you can't get postnatal depression - it DEFINITELY doesn't mean you ought to be able to 'snap out of it' and "be grateful" for all you have around you. Plse, plse, open up to your pediatrician- he sounds very supportive and he, nor any other professional will not judge you. 💜💜💜
Going from 2 to 4 was definitely the hardest for us! 😅🙃 you guys are doing a great job raising those kids!
Lol I think I replayed the beginning 5 times. You guys rule
You guys make a great team. I wish I was young and could take your advise and emulate your relationship.
Yall sound exhausted 😂😂 you’re doing great though!!!
You should read Goldilocks and the 3 Bears to the kiddos!!! And you could explain to The Biggs how Goldie was such a precious girls name to you!!! Glad things are starting to calm down and even out. It’s quite an adjustment for any family with multiple children. I had two girls and my parents helped me and my husband out TREMENDOUSLY!!!! ( BTW, both of them are now both you and Shawn’s ages!!! ). Hey Andrew, when are you going to interview Drew and Jett again? I think Drew will be so very cute and attentive. Jett might still be all over the map like last time, but he still did very well for his age and he was sooo adorable!! The more you do it with the kiddos, the more comfortable they become. Can’t wait until Bear is interviewed!! 💕💕💕💕
So relatable to you guys! We have such a similar family. We have a 3.5 year old girl, 1.5 year old boy, and newborn boy 🩷💙💙 also had 3 csections. Totally agree with the minivan situation too, suv only, I could not do a minivan 😂 love you guys!
OMG I can't believe that the US doesn't have parental leave on the national level. I had my youngest 29 years ago (here in Canada) and even back then we immediately got 6 months leave where you received employment insurance and your employer had to hold you job for you. I believe that is now up to 18 months (and it can be either parent than takes it, or a combination of both)
I didn't use the word no...I had a thing about toddlers who said no to everything...so, I used phrases like get down, don't touch, etc. It seemed like they seemed to grasp it better than just to say no but I could be delusional. 😂🤣😂
Congratulations ❤🎉
Today is my first day back at work after maternity leave. My brain is also MUSH. Send help.
❤ just be easy on yourself. It is all going to be fine.
I love the Pod Cast. So awesome!!! I just wanted to say my Paternal Grandmother's name was Goldie Jean. I loved hearing your girl name.
It’s so sad that this country doesn’t even allow a mother to heal before going by back. I had an emergency c-section and was called to come back part time (mandatory) because they were short staffed. Even at that time I wasn’t even cleared to drive.
I agree 0-1 kid is a massive shift in lifestyle and identity. I feel 1-2 is more mum guilt shift of feeling like the first born is missing out on that one on one time
I Love your girl ñame. My grandmother was Goldie & my gràndfather was Gene
3rd was rough, another one helped (not want you want to hear right now. The odd man out with 3 was difficult.
Different phases. You do what you have capacity for in each phase.
I come from a family of 8. 3 kids is no big deal!
It’s such a short time in the scheme of things. When you get older you will look back and say I wish I could go back and appreciate it more. My husband used to say “ all I wish I had to worry about was poopy diapers “. This to shall pass so enjoy it.
As a December baby... I came home Christmas eve. I remember hearing stories of Mama being worried about too many coming over to see us. My sister turned 2 in January after I was born. He will know his true friends as he gets older, because of his birthday, lol. I'm 53 people love to combine presents and always have
Loved this one!
My son and his wife have 5 kids and he wants one more but probably won’t have. Their age is 5 to 19 . They had their kids like 3 years apart. I had no help with my 2 kids , my husband worked 9 am to 9 pm .
Chrysler Pacifica is pretty cool. 😊
Be gentle with yourself. You are a newborn mother of three now. As gentle as you are with Bear is exactly how gentle your needs are as well. The true wisdom to glean from this season is you are not in control. Relax and lean into Jesus. His plan for your family is so much better than anything you could dream. Joy
I had 4 babies and my oldest was 5 1/2 when my 4th child was born. My last one weighed just an ounce and a half away from being an 11 pounder! I decided that if I didn’t stop now my fifth child of way 13 pounds so we had four children and now five grandchildren! Life goes way too fast!
Parents wear themselves out today with overthinking their children and pets - I would be worn out as well🤣🤣
Unfortunately, if there are sicknesses in the house it is unlikely the infant won't get it or some form, it is almost impossible to not transfer.
Coming from a daycare background and taking care of kids, the best thing to do is have noise and do the dishes, vacuum all of it so baby does not wake up with every little noise and can learn to sleep anywhere.
Shawn….I’ll bet you have a really bad poker face.😂
Funniest way to start a podcast
Our first two sons were 11 months apart. 8 1/2 years later, we had son #3. Our lives were turned upside down. However, we all figured it out!