Katie and Elijah! I’m pregnant right now with my first- in the middle of my second trimester. So grateful God helped my find your channel as I start my family. It’s so inspiring to spend time with you on your RUclips.
I had 4 healthy pregnancies and lost #5 back in May. Haven't been able to get pregnant again yet. All the questions and fear was really relatable for me. I'm glad I'm not alone. Thank you for this episode.
I can relate so much! 8 babies (2 with Our Lord) and in a span of 9 years. Pregnancy story and survival mode just like yours...I was bad sick until 18-24 weeks with each. Oldest is 10 now and youngest is about 20 months. Definitely could be more to come! So hard but so amazing and feel so blessed!
That's interesting about not letting your kids be at the birth. My 5 year old son at the time was present for my daughters birth. He absolutely loved the experience and was so calm. I spoke to him about it a lot during pregnancy and told him it was upto him whether he wanted to be present or not. We watched birth vlogs together and he really wanted to be part of his sister's birth. He's not traumatized and would love to experience another birth. Of course every child and mom are different though.
Congrats on your pregnancy! I like you am pregnant with my 6 baby, but miscarried number 5. It’s important to let your body rest sometimes because having children is a very nutrient and mineral draining endeavor. You have been so blessed to have your babies, sometimes you need to postpone for a little while for yours and the baby’s sake. I use the Marquette method of natural family planning and have been able to space my babies. I prefer the 2.5 year gap. It’s like a sweet spot. I use a cheaper method with LH strips and taking my basal body temperature. It has helped me to prevent pregnancy postpartum because my fertility returns very early like you.
Mom of 11 here! In the 1st trimester with #12!!( baby 13, as one baby is waiting on the other side) We very much want this baby and are very excited! Congrats on your precious rainbow 🌈 baby!!!
Congrats, I'm a mom of 1 baby boy. I'm curious about how you manage a household with so many if you would like to share, what has factored in your decision to have 12/13 babies?
@@daughter_of_yeshua having a large family is a deeply personal choice. Not one we take lightly. We chose to allow our family to come as God allowed. We don't think that others should do this unless they feel led this way. We don't judge how others do. As far as managing goes, I stay home with our children while my husband works. The children help with house hold duties as well. Our oldest is a young adult already,and is very willing to help coach and encourage the younger ones in doing their part. Our home is not as tidy as a 1 or 2 child home. It's a compromise I'm willing to deal with for now. I won't pretend it's easy,but I wouldn't change it for anything!
You guys are always so inspirational. I liked the really honest answers here. We all go through periods where the goal is to survive. Survival in those occasions might be a perfectly fine movie for the kids while we are in desperate need of resting. And it’s OK to allow that in as a gift instead of deeming that as less than or letting guilt set in. God gives us graces in the most unique packages. I will continue to pray for you guys in this pregnancy!
Katie, I Have to say, you look so much better every time you are pregnant. So glowing and femine. This shows for me that God blesses pregnancy and just makes a woman prettier than she is anyways, although you don't always feel like it, when you are pregnant. ❤️ Congratulations!
It kind of hurt when Katie mentioned that she thought they might not ever get pregnant again when trying for 2 months. I understand she doesn't know what it is like to try for a long time.
I unfortunately have to agree, it's a bit insensitive or there is lack of education/awareness. I had friends reveal that they managed to get pregnant on their first try ("boom, just like that") when we had friends present who have been trying for a year (completely shocked and hurt)... 💔
If you haven't had a loss though don't invalidate her feeling in the moment she was being honest of her feelings. I had a loss with my fourth pregnancy and had that fear and guilt that I should be thankful for my three but always imagined I'd have more and was fearful I couldn't. I also feared I'd miscarry again. I also got pregnant one month later and now have 5 boys currently.
@@valjo15 yea I need to remember that for some people they suddenly have that fear and it feels big to them. For some of us we know the pain well of heartbreak. I didn't mean to be insensitive.
Katie, you are such a trooper! I can't imagine throwing up 14 times a day and caring for children. My 1st pregnancy I rarely threw up. 3rd trimester was way different. I gave birth at 33 weeks and spent a couple of weeks in the hospital. It was very hard for me and I went through depression and anxiety afterward. I used to think I wanted 4 babies but the birth of my son was so hard. I do still want another baby but feel that may be it for me. I wish I was stronger. I don't know what I lack character wise that causes me to feel I can't handle more, but I'm trying to read the bible and get strength from God's word. I keep hoping I will feel differently, but I'm not sure I will. You are amazing. And all you mama's with many babies are incredible. I truly don't know how you do it. I only wish I had an ounce of the strength and patience you do. Congrats on baby #5!
Hi enjoyed hearings you take on adoption. I have 4 kids all by adoption, well one is still in the process. They are all siblings and came to me one by one. They are God sent 🙏 I was open to adoption, but was not actively trying to adopt and it just happened and here we are 4 kids later.
My two boys (5&3.5 at the time) witnessed their sister be born at home! I realized if I don’t make it gross or traumatizing it doesn’t need to be. We also had both grandmas there to tend to the kids so my husband could focus on me. 👏🏼 I used to think birth was traumatizing though so I get you! Lots of renewing of the mind lol.
Congratulations!Katye you are so beautiful inside and out!Prettiest girl I ever saw,,...so good to listen your voice...I m pregnant in 34 weeks with our 8th😍
I would love an episode (or video on your other channel) about everything you will be buying for this baby? And what you saved from your other children if you saved anything to reuse. I'm assuming you won't buy much but it would be interesting and helpful :) I have to keep reminding myself that I don't need to buy much with my second pregnancy.
Aw yes we just had our 5th and had 3 girls and one boy so far. I didn’t find out for the same reason. It was hard not to look at our 20 week ultrasound. But people pestered my son about wanting a brother. We did have another girl and not a single ounce of disappointment was had when they all came into snuggle her, my son included. He just wanted to meet her!
As for the financial side, if you have some thrift shops around, you can buy nearly everything at those shops! Just yesterday I stopped at a local shop that was having a .50 sale on almost every clothing item in the store! So it can be relatively cheap.😃
Also, we didn’t find out gender with all 4 and loved it! Definitely agree that the idea of a reveal may be overhyped and possibly disappointing… Another reason not to find out ahead of time is 100% accuracy! What you see is what you get. 😂 Having said that, I may want to experience finding out in the future.
Congratulations, you guys! May God keep this baby safe & healthy. Wanna know something crazy? After experiencing a loss and getting pregnant again, that was the time I was LEAST fearful. That’s because the day I found out I’m pregnant, I felt that God spoke these words (through a sermon) to me in my scenario specifically: “he shall live.” (Numbers 21). God got my attention when the preacher spoke these words, and I felt that they were directed straight at me. These words were a promise from God that I leaned on during the rest of the pregnancy when it looked like things might go wrong. They were also the reason why I thought I was carrying a boy (“HE shall live”), but you know Bible language… “he” is the equivalent of today’s he OR she. Anyway, she is now 3 years old 😅.
I love this! I had a similar situation when my husband and I were trying for our third. After a few months, I started to worry that I might have problems conceiving. But one Sunday at church a heard a very clear “You will be pregnant this month” and complete peace! And I actually did get pregnant that month! God is good!
My oldest has been to all my births! And all my babies have been with me with the next baby! We have 4. It's amazing! Definitely bonds the kids instantly! I water birth so they don't necessarily see what's happening, or me. They've all been young, and were just excited. None of them were 'traumatized' by birth. We have three girls and a boy, so MAYBE that plays a role. Or maybe it's how someone labors? We do it at home, in a water tub, and I'm not loud when I labor. So maybe that would make people not want to if they were I guess?
I have a topic request. I would like to have a big family, but my husband is concerned about the lack of supervision with kids having to share rooms and getting curious during puberty. There is the example of Joshua Duggar inappropriately touching his sisters. I told my husband that girls and boys would have separate rooms, but my husband knows a guy personally who was sexually abused by his older brother so gender separation doesn’t entirely prevent it. That never would have ever crossed my mind to be a possibility with my kids. However, I’m sure that is what the parents of those boys thought as well. Do you have any advice on that topic that might ease my husband’s concerns of that possibility with having a big family?
Just found your channel. German mom of 5. Always something to learn. Really good points in your last video about spending quality time with kids. Thanks! May I ask why you circumcised your boys? Is Elijah Jewish? Have a blessed enjoyable pregnancy!
I’m so glad I found you it’s so nice to see you so happy we have four kids and I would love to have more In a love being pregnant but for me I feel like it’s just too hard to have more we just leave in to God’s hands
I do think it confuses your pro life stance to refer to this as your fifth child. Just because the last baby wasn’t born doesn’t mean it wasn’t a baby. I love y’all and am so happy you’re pregnant!
@@PhoebeWood nowthatimamotherhealth.com has a lot more information, or you can go directly to: shopneolife.com/thekathrynjoy to purchase. I am an affiliate with the company and there are a LOT of supplements on there, but I take daily the Stress Pack and Vitality Pack. :)
@@laurenswift9368 I am so sorry, Lauren! I SO relate with this! You can purchase the stress pack here (I am an affiliate). Let me know if you have any questions: shopneolife.com/thekathrynjoy
I’m sorry but as Christians who are pro-life we shouldn’t refer to miscarried babies as “attempts” at a baby. This just further justifies the pro-abortion position that unborn babies are not indeed babies. This is baby #6
I think you’re taking that out of context. If you listen more, they refer to the child that they miscarried as their baby. We don’t all say things perfectly every time, especially if we’re talking about a sore topic.
@@katrinasimmons9288 thank you for the comment, I’m sure that they know that baby was their baby. I’m just pointing out that the terminology we use in these situations really matters when it comes to reinforcing the fact that unborn babies are still babies and just as valuable as born babies
It’s hard to know what to say when it happens to you. The baby wasn’t born . Some people have five miscarriages before they have a pregnancy that lasts, should their child be called the 6th? The terminology makes sense because they never fully made the first development stage in order to continue that stage out of the womb.
@@stephanie-atarahrose.8149 I’d personally say 6th pregnancy first baby. At the doctors office they write down the amount of clinical pregnancy you’ve had and the amount of full term babies
2 Now I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
I'm happy to see that others are noticing what the NT says about this. Not only is it not necessary medically or spiritually, what is done in the US is nothing like what they did back in Bible times. Look up Kellog and the history of circumcision in the US. It's heartbreakingly gross. My 11 year old son is perfectly whole. I'm so thankful that I learned the truth prior to his birth!
@@amcall It can be medically necessary, I had a friend as a young adult that was having an issue that required him getting circumcised. I believe the Bible is specifically warning us against getting circumcised for the purpose of our relationship with God - it will only bind you to the law if you do it for the law's sake.
@@melissa2807 Absolutely! It's also possible that I could need a mastectomy at some point. I'm thankful that my parents didn't have my breast tissue removed at birth because of the rare chance this would happen to me. Take the time to research for yourself. I was in tears after less than a minute. It's not difficult to find this information.
well this is the problem with sleep training babies. it is not the natural way ! breastfeeding on demand and cosleeping will naturally space your kids at least 2 years apart and will allow you to get a good night sleep. i am normally breastfeeding on demand through day and night and cosleep my 7th is 12 months old and i havent got my period back. if you delay breastefeeding specially in the night for longer than 2 hours your period will be back in less than 2 months. what we found it helped financialy was saving the kids clothes. i sort them by age and gender and store them . when a new baby comes i just take the pack down give them a wash and iron and i spend virtualy nothing . i pottytrain early . at 9 months i start introducing potty by 14 months my babies are out of nappies or i use 1 or 2 per day. saves us a fortune.
Congrats on your new blessing! 3rd trimester with baby #7. 😍 Yah is so good! All the time, we can count it joy!
Katie and Elijah! I’m pregnant right now with my first- in the middle of my second trimester. So grateful God helped my find your channel as I start my family. It’s so inspiring to spend time with you on your RUclips.
I had 4 healthy pregnancies and lost #5 back in May. Haven't been able to get pregnant again yet. All the questions and fear was really relatable for me. I'm glad I'm not alone. Thank you for this episode.
I can relate so much! 8 babies (2 with Our Lord) and in a span of 9 years. Pregnancy story and survival mode just like yours...I was bad sick until 18-24 weeks with each. Oldest is 10 now and youngest is about 20 months. Definitely could be more to come! So hard but so amazing and feel so blessed!
That's interesting about not letting your kids be at the birth. My 5 year old son at the time was present for my daughters birth. He absolutely loved the experience and was so calm. I spoke to him about it a lot during pregnancy and told him it was upto him whether he wanted to be present or not. We watched birth vlogs together and he really wanted to be part of his sister's birth. He's not traumatized and would love to experience another birth. Of course every child and mom are different though.
Congrats on your pregnancy! I like you am pregnant with my 6 baby, but miscarried number 5. It’s important to let your body rest sometimes because having children is a very nutrient and mineral draining endeavor. You have been so blessed to have your babies, sometimes you need to postpone for a little while for yours and the baby’s sake. I use the Marquette method of natural family planning and have been able to space my babies. I prefer the 2.5 year gap. It’s like a sweet spot. I use a cheaper method with LH strips and taking my basal body temperature. It has helped me to prevent pregnancy postpartum because my fertility returns very early like you.
Mom of 11 here! In the 1st trimester with #12!!( baby 13, as one baby is waiting on the other side) We very much want this baby and are very excited! Congrats on your precious rainbow 🌈 baby!!!
May I ask what kind of vehicle you drive?
@@slee7991 We drive a 15 passenger van. A 1 ton Chevrolet. Our older children have a vehicle they share as well.
Congratulations!!
Congrats, I'm a mom of 1 baby boy. I'm curious about how you manage a household with so many if you would like to share, what has factored in your decision to have 12/13 babies?
@@daughter_of_yeshua having a large family is a deeply personal choice. Not one we take lightly. We chose to allow our family to come as God allowed. We don't think that others should do this unless they feel led this way. We don't judge how others do. As far as managing goes, I stay home with our children while my husband works. The children help with house hold duties as well. Our oldest is a young adult already,and is very willing to help coach and encourage the younger ones in doing their part. Our home is not as tidy as a 1 or 2 child home. It's a compromise I'm willing to deal with for now. I won't pretend it's easy,but I wouldn't change it for anything!
You guys are always so inspirational. I liked the really honest answers here. We all go through periods where the goal is to survive. Survival in those occasions might be a perfectly fine movie for the kids while we are in desperate need of resting. And it’s OK to allow that in as a gift instead of deeming that as less than or letting guilt set in. God gives us graces in the most unique packages. I will continue to pray for you guys in this pregnancy!
Katie, I Have to say, you look so much better every time you are pregnant. So glowing and femine. This shows for me that God blesses pregnancy and just makes a woman prettier than she is anyways, although you don't always feel like it, when you are pregnant. ❤️ Congratulations!
It kind of hurt when Katie mentioned that she thought they might not ever get pregnant again when trying for 2 months. I understand she doesn't know what it is like to try for a long time.
I unfortunately have to agree, it's a bit insensitive or there is lack of education/awareness. I had friends reveal that they managed to get pregnant on their first try ("boom, just like that") when we had friends present who have been trying for a year (completely shocked and hurt)... 💔
If you haven't had a loss though don't invalidate her feeling in the moment she was being honest of her feelings. I had a loss with my fourth pregnancy and had that fear and guilt that I should be thankful for my three but always imagined I'd have more and was fearful I couldn't. I also feared I'd miscarry again. I also got pregnant one month later and now have 5 boys currently.
@@valjo15 yea I need to remember that for some people they suddenly have that fear and it feels big to them. For some of us we know the pain well of heartbreak. I didn't mean to be insensitive.
Congratulations! I am in the second trimester with my second!
Katie, you are such a trooper! I can't imagine throwing up 14 times a day and caring for children. My 1st pregnancy I rarely threw up. 3rd trimester was way different. I gave birth at 33 weeks and spent a couple of weeks in the hospital. It was very hard for me and I went through depression and anxiety afterward. I used to think I wanted 4 babies but the birth of my son was so hard. I do still want another baby but feel that may be it for me. I wish I was stronger. I don't know what I lack character wise that causes me to feel I can't handle more, but I'm trying to read the bible and get strength from God's word. I keep hoping I will feel differently, but I'm not sure I will. You are amazing. And all you mama's with many babies are incredible. I truly don't know how you do it. I only wish I had an ounce of the strength and patience you do. Congrats on baby #5!
Love this! Can you list the stress pack vitamins?
Hi enjoyed hearings you take on adoption. I have 4 kids all by adoption, well one is still in the process. They are all siblings and came to me one by one. They are God sent 🙏 I was open to adoption, but was not actively trying to adopt and it just happened and here we are 4 kids later.
My two boys (5&3.5 at the time) witnessed their sister be born at home! I realized if I don’t make it gross or traumatizing it doesn’t need to be. We also had both grandmas there to tend to the kids so my husband could focus on me. 👏🏼 I used to think birth was traumatizing though so I get you! Lots of renewing of the mind lol.
Congratulations!Katye you are so beautiful inside and out!Prettiest girl I ever saw,,...so good to listen your voice...I m pregnant in 34 weeks with our 8th😍
🎊🎊 Congratulations!!!
Congratulations on your 5th baby!!!
Katie I would love for you to talk about your breastfeeding journey with all of your children .
I would love an episode (or video on your other channel) about everything you will be buying for this baby? And what you saved from your other children if you saved anything to reuse. I'm assuming you won't buy much but it would be interesting and helpful :) I have to keep reminding myself that I don't need to buy much with my second pregnancy.
Aw yes we just had our 5th and had 3 girls and one boy so far. I didn’t find out for the same reason. It was hard not to look at our 20 week ultrasound. But people pestered my son about wanting a brother. We did have another girl and not a single ounce of disappointment was had when they all came into snuggle her, my son included. He just wanted to meet her!
So happy for you 🤗🙏 ,
Mom of 8😉
As for the financial side, if you have some thrift shops around, you can buy nearly everything at those shops! Just yesterday I stopped at a local shop that was having a .50 sale on almost every clothing item in the store! So it can be relatively cheap.😃
This was a great episode!! Thank you guys so much! My favorite podcast!
Also, we didn’t find out gender with all 4 and loved it! Definitely agree that the idea of a reveal may be overhyped and possibly disappointing… Another reason not to find out ahead of time is 100% accuracy! What you see is what you get. 😂
Having said that, I may want to experience finding out in the future.
Congratulations, you guys! May God keep this baby safe & healthy. Wanna know something crazy? After experiencing a loss and getting pregnant again, that was the time I was LEAST fearful. That’s because the day I found out I’m pregnant, I felt that God spoke these words (through a sermon) to me in my scenario specifically: “he shall live.” (Numbers 21). God got my attention when the preacher spoke these words, and I felt that they were directed straight at me. These words were a promise from God that I leaned on during the rest of the pregnancy when it looked like things might go wrong. They were also the reason why I thought I was carrying a boy (“HE shall live”), but you know Bible language… “he” is the equivalent of today’s he OR she. Anyway, she is now 3 years old 😅.
I love this! I had a similar situation when my husband and I were trying for our third. After a few months, I started to worry that I might have problems conceiving. But one Sunday at church a heard a very clear “You will be pregnant this month” and complete peace! And I actually did get pregnant that month! God is good!
Do you have a link to the stress pack?
My oldest has been to all my births! And all my babies have been with me with the next baby! We have 4. It's amazing! Definitely bonds the kids instantly! I water birth so they don't necessarily see what's happening, or me. They've all been young, and were just excited. None of them were 'traumatized' by birth. We have three girls and a boy, so MAYBE that plays a role. Or maybe it's how someone labors? We do it at home, in a water tub, and I'm not loud when I labor. So maybe that would make people not want to if they were I guess?
I love you guys! I’m with you on the buying a new car. I love how you mentioned people offering you aid. Hahahah 😂
I loooove your family!!!!!
God bless you 🙌🙌🙌
You are so kind!! Thank you
I have a topic request. I would like to have a big family, but my husband is concerned about the lack of supervision with kids having to share rooms and getting curious during puberty. There is the example of Joshua Duggar inappropriately touching his sisters. I told my husband that girls and boys would have separate rooms, but my husband knows a guy personally who was sexually abused by his older brother so gender separation doesn’t entirely prevent it. That never would have ever crossed my mind to be a possibility with my kids. However, I’m sure that is what the parents of those boys thought as well. Do you have any advice on that topic that might ease my husband’s concerns of that possibility with having a big family?
wow I love that blue and white skirt, could you share where you got it from?
Just found your channel. German mom of 5. Always something to learn. Really good points in your last video about spending quality time with kids. Thanks!
May I ask why you circumcised your boys? Is Elijah Jewish?
Have a blessed enjoyable pregnancy!
Can you link your outfit please? ❤
If you tell the ultrasound technician you don’t want to know the gender, they just tell you to look away in the times you could see.
I’m so glad I found you it’s so nice to see you so happy we have four kids and I would love to have more In a love being pregnant but for me I feel like it’s just too hard to have more we just leave in to God’s hands
I do think it confuses your pro life stance to refer to this as your fifth child. Just because the last baby wasn’t born doesn’t mean it wasn’t a baby. I love y’all and am so happy you’re pregnant!
I've lost 2 babies and I say my recent baby is my 5th earthside baby.
I'm 14 weeks pregnant too !! Would you share your due date ? Would be fun if we had the same due date. Either way congrats. Were expecting baby #4 !
What is the liver support you take? I get terrible morning sickness 🥴
So happy for your sweet family!
Thank you so much!! Great question! Check out the description box for links to the supplements I take/took :) - Katie
I can't find the link in the description and I have wondered about the supplements you take too
I also can’t find how to buy the stress pack but I’m 100% interested. My “morning” sickness is 24-7 from week 6-16 and Is completely debilitating
@@PhoebeWood nowthatimamotherhealth.com has a lot more information, or you can go directly to: shopneolife.com/thekathrynjoy to purchase. I am an affiliate with the company and there are a LOT of supplements on there, but I take daily the Stress Pack and Vitality Pack. :)
@@laurenswift9368 I am so sorry, Lauren! I SO relate with this! You can purchase the stress pack here (I am an affiliate). Let me know if you have any questions: shopneolife.com/thekathrynjoy
Congratulations 💐💐💐May God bless you guys 🙏🙏🙏
Congratulations! ♥
Congratulations 🎊
Congratulations ❤️🙏🎉
I’m sorry but as Christians who are pro-life we shouldn’t refer to miscarried babies as “attempts” at a baby. This just further justifies the pro-abortion position that unborn babies are not indeed babies. This is baby #6
I think you’re taking that out of context. If you listen more, they refer to the child that they miscarried as their baby. We don’t all say things perfectly every time, especially if we’re talking about a sore topic.
@@katrinasimmons9288 thank you for the comment, I’m sure that they know that baby was their baby. I’m just pointing out that the terminology we use in these situations really matters when it comes to reinforcing the fact that unborn babies are still babies and just as valuable as born babies
It’s hard to know what to say when it happens to you. The baby wasn’t born . Some people have five miscarriages before they have a pregnancy that lasts, should their child be called the 6th? The terminology makes sense because they never fully made the first development stage in order to continue that stage out of the womb.
It's not fair to pick at people who have gone through tragedy and trauma. Everyone processes miscarriage differently.
@@stephanie-atarahrose.8149 I’d personally say 6th pregnancy first baby. At the doctors office they write down the amount of clinical pregnancy you’ve had and the amount of full term babies
2 Now I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
is this scripture against the stance of christians being circumsiced ?
I was so shocked by the mention of it. I am so curious to learn more about what the Bible says about it.
I'm happy to see that others are noticing what the NT says about this. Not only is it not necessary medically or spiritually, what is done in the US is nothing like what they did back in Bible times. Look up Kellog and the history of circumcision in the US. It's heartbreakingly gross. My 11 year old son is perfectly whole. I'm so thankful that I learned the truth prior to his birth!
@@amcall It can be medically necessary, I had a friend as a young adult that was having an issue that required him getting circumcised. I believe the Bible is specifically warning us against getting circumcised for the purpose of our relationship with God - it will only bind you to the law if you do it for the law's sake.
@@melissa2807 Absolutely! It's also possible that I could need a mastectomy at some point. I'm thankful that my parents didn't have my breast tissue removed at birth because of the rare chance this would happen to me.
Take the time to research for yourself. I was in tears after less than a minute. It's not difficult to find this information.
well this is the problem with sleep training babies. it is not the natural way ! breastfeeding on demand and cosleeping will naturally space your kids at least 2 years apart and will allow you
to get a good night sleep. i am normally breastfeeding on demand through day and night and cosleep my 7th is 12 months old and i havent got my period back. if you delay breastefeeding specially in the night for longer than 2 hours your period will be back in less than 2 months. what we found it helped financialy was saving the kids clothes. i sort them by age and gender and store them . when a new baby comes i just take the pack down give them a wash and iron and i spend virtualy nothing . i pottytrain early . at 9 months i start introducing potty by 14 months my babies are out of nappies or i use 1 or 2 per day. saves us a fortune.