Yeah, it's kinda like this in April in our house.
When the doctor estimated the due date as early April, I winced.
“Are you sure you can’t take her a little early, say end of March?” I pleaded.
“Sorry, Kate, you know the drill, only a few days before the due date and we’ll schedule your c-section.”
Well of course I knew the drill. This was my third baby in exactly five years, and apparently the third with a birthday in April.
Within three weeks of her brothers.
I was a goner.
As if it wasn’t bad enough that my boys were born five days apart–our middle child was actually born on his big brother’s original due date–now our third child would be slated right in the magical, spring-like (sometimes) month of April.
It was then that I realized I was fated to a life of exhaustion each April, probably for the rest of my life, but certainly for the next several years when birthdays are the end-all-be-all for small kids.
Each April we plan parties (read: fiascos) go shopping (read: drain the bank account) and rock out (read: barely make it to said parties because the excitement level in this house is so damn high) at three birthday parties for three kids within three weeks.
The magic of Christmas has no sooner faded than we begin planning the biggest month of the year in our household, the one in which Hasbro kindly vomits playthings all over our livingroom floor, cakes are devoured crumb-by-crumb one-after-one, and the U.S. Postal service is overwhelmed by Hall family invitations and thank-you notes.
This year, it’s sleepovers. Or as we like to call them, UNsleepovers. If you see me this month, please give me a hug (read: cocktail). I’m gonna need it.
About Kate Hall
And, seriously, what are the odds of having three kids within three weeks? I think I may qualify for some freakish Guinness-Book-of-World-Record-Freak-Mom award, too.
I feel for your busy month of April. My family has a similar situation, but with only 2 births instead of 3. My sister turns 30 the day after my nephew turns 1. When he’s 10, she’ll be 30 and so on. Not only that, but our family loves gardening. This year, we have 3 gardens and now is the time for putting everything in the ground. My positive thinking keeps reassuring me that its best to get it all out of the way, so the rest of spring and summer will be full of adventures & fun instead of party planning. Also, congratulations on the newest addition to your family. Xo
aw thanks Shari! it’s a zoo but a crazy one that I love! and yes, summer will rock!
3 of mine have birthdays in a 3 week window. In the summer when everyone is busy and no one is around for birthday parties at least. My grandmother's children all have their birthdays in August!
Kate….I get you….but I only have two, within 10 days of each other, and the first half of March disappears every year!!! Randomly, two years ago, my niece was born on my son's birthday!!! March is crazy for my family, as it sounds like April is for you. Good luck.
Julianne I am glad I have a kindred spirit in you and sorry you have to share the pain! It’s crazy isn’t it? And this year our boys’ birthdays ran during spring break so we had to pile all their bday parties into the first two weekends. . .I feel like a steamroller has run over me LOL. Bring on summer!
Love this post Kate. I'll give you a hug (cocktail)!
I have two born 3 days apart. The first was nine days late and the second was 2 1/2 weeks early! It is great for their grandparents who live 8 hours away and can be here for both birthdays! My hope is that they'll always celebrate their birthdays together as they grow up!
aw, now that’s a GREAT way to look at it! love it!
HAHA!! This was a fun read! I cannot imagine how hectic your April is!! I start planning for my only childs birthday atleast 3 months in advance and the anxiety I get from it alone is enough to make me cringe. On the bright side atleast you get to knock it out…..in the meantime bottoms up!!
I joke w/my husband that he is clearly only fertile during a 6 week window as all 3 children were due within that time frame! He tried to blame me…as if!