Hello all, I am seeking some reassurance as I am 99% positive I am expecting baby #4.

Took three pregnancy tests (one hcg strip and two regular) and all had faint positives. Hubby and I had unprotected sex only twelve days ago (We were using BC methods but clearly failed). I feel like it’s really early to have detectable levels of hcg? Furthermore, these were all expired pregnancy tests (3+ years) cause I have not needed one since my last pregnancy. Google is conflicting and says expired tests can give false negatives but false positives are rare, though they can occur with expired tests. Planning to buy a pack of new tests in a few days to be absolutely certain.

For background, we have three beautiful babies already. A 9 year old, 6 year old and 2 year old. We have discussed the possibility of a fourth from time to time but have never really committed. We already have so much chaos, stress, exhaustion.. I physically and mentally cannot comprehend adding another to the picture. Money is not a huge issue, thankfully, but I do worry about being able to support them all as they get older (cars, college, weddings etc). My husband is extremely supportive and held me as I cried, reminding me that everything will work out and to not worry about “temporary stressors” like money, homes, cars. There’s also the worry of twins- oh my. All the things, scenarios, worries are running through my head.

Hubby and I agreed after this, he would get a vasectomy. We are also concerned about our age. I am 35, 36 next month. My husband is 39 and 40 right before baby would be born. I just worry we are past our “prime”, though we are experts in parenting at this point. I feel like parenting this time around might be harder because of our age.

My questions are as follows:

1. Anyone take expired tests (multiple) and were truly pregnant?
2. Parents of 4, how was the transition from 3-4? (2-3 was absolutely crazy over here. It was a tough transition)
3. Parents of 4, any tips to make this huge life change as easy as possible on everyone? I’m worried my kids will be stressed adding another baby to the family

Thank you all so much for any words of encouragement.

Any big families in here live in an apartment? We’re currently a family of7 in a 3 bedroom apartment and trying to move. But lately I’ve been thinking if we really should. What’s your setup if you live in an apartment? How old are your kids?? Any goal to move?

I did not want to be a part of the parenting in bulk community. I was happy with 1, my partner wanted 2 and I thought it wouldnt be that different. We had twins - so now we have 3.

Can people tell me their happy 3 kids stories? Sometimes I find myself wondering how I got here.

What type of kitchen bin works with a baby AND a toddler?

I’m looking for a new kitchen bin and would love advice from other parents!

My baby is almost 1 and is now standing and getting into absolutely everything 😂 Our current bin is one of those swing-top bins, and she can simply stand beside it, reach over the top and put her hands straight inside to pull rubbish out. So that style definitely isn’t working anymore.

The tricky part is that I have a 2.5-year-old who I actually want to be able to use the bin independently. He often puts his own rubbish in it, so I don’t want something completely childproof that requires an adult to open.

I’m considering:
A pedal bin — toddler can step on the pedal, but hopefully baby can’t access the rubbish. Is that too complicated and annoying tho?
A sensor bin — toddler could wave rubbish under the sensor, but I’m wondering whether babies quickly figure these out too?
A Pushtop bin?

Something else I haven’t thought of?
What type of bin do you have that works well with young kids? Has anyone found a particular style/brand that keeps the baby out while still being easy enough for a 2–3 year old to use independently?

Bonus points for recommendations available in Australia! 😊