It’s true what some people say, the way you raise your third baby is very different from the way you raise baby one and baby two. Somehow things that would NEVER happen with CJ and Ella have become part of Jack’s daily life.

Being our first baby, CJ was the one we were so super cautious with, especially the first year. We fed him his bottle every three hours as instructed, we kept track of pee and poop diapers, we strapped him into every baby apparatus that had straps, we tried to teach him sign language, we cut his food into a million little pieces, we kept him rear facing forever, and we watched our foul language when he was in the room. We also made sure every outlet had a proper plug cover so there were no electrocution incidents. In addition, I am sure we did every other thing those damn baby books suggested.

Ella’s needs her first year were very different than CJ’s, but we tried our best to remain on the same course. I can’t say we kept track of business transpiring in her diapers, and I am pretty sure we gave up on most chest straps, other than the high chair and car seat. We did keep a bottle schedule and the food was always chopped up well. However, we did not keep her rear facing nearly as long. The sheer screaming during every car ride was enough to wear us down and turn her around. Her independence was limited due to lack of mobility, so we didn’t have to worry as much about her getting into things she shouldn’t. She was well loved that first year and beyond. There was/is an incredible amount of lap time with her.

Along came Jack. We were now living in the big house and that in itself was a game changer. I guess we sort of followed a feeding schedule when he came home. He was large. He loved to eat. He was fed as needed. Sometimes that was every three hours. Sometimes it wasn’t. His diapers were easy to monitor because almost every single one contained poop. Straps became optional on everything but the stroller and car seat. I am happy to say his car seat is still rear facing, and most of his food is fed to him in tiny little pieces.

Some very different things have transpired with Jack, our precious third baby. For one, he loves to put dog food in his mouth. He will also eat any scrap food that he finds off the ground. (Luckily Gibbs makes that as minimal as possible). He climbs on people, furniture, and random objects to get where he needs to go. We never force him to wear shoes because it’s a battle not worth fighting. We often find him trying to break open cabinet doors that are locked, and knock down gates that are secured. He naps in bed with me every morning and snacks all day long.

When we go visit friends or have people over they will be super attentive when Jack falls or run right over to him when he cries. Steve and I look at them and, most times in sync, say third baby. The truth is, while Jack is the most active of our three, he is also the happiest and most easy going. Smart too. The second we look away to attend to someone or something else, he is up to no good. We say he has a stealth mode because he gets super quiet and tries not to get caught. His personality is the best. I only hope he has a great sense of humor when he gets older.

Jack was a surprise, and the best kind there is. While he’s exhausting at times, we simply can’t imagine a Zurlnick world without him in it. We are all a little older this time around, and he constantly reminds us to slow down and take time to enjoy the little things. I know for sure he will get dirtier, drink out of more containers, and push any buttons I have left. He’s a ball buster, but we wouldn’t change a thing about him!

For some cute pics throughout the day, follow us on IG at:

https://www.instagram.com/zurlnick_five