D.B.
Lucky you!!! Seriously -- this is going to be so fun. I have three close together (spaced 17 mos and 18 mos apart) and it worked out so well. There are downsides -- for the brief period when we had three in diapers it was expensive; "three under five" can be exhausting; they each have to share... But the fun far outweighs the trials! Truly -- this is a good thing you've stumbled upon.
Here's what I love(d) most about it:
*They all play together!!! It's so cool -- built-in play dates!
*Everyone is close enough in developmental stages that we could classify most of the toys as 'the family's' and nix the 'propery rights' fights.
*Since we have 'family toys' it makes each child's 'personal toys' really special and it's easier to teach them how to care for their special things -- because there are fewer things.
*Watching my baby play with 'her' baby.
*Three in a row in highchairs -- it's so cute. In fact, everything's so cute with multiples.
*Watching each one discover his shadow. And telling the other two to shh -- let it be a surprise -- so that we all sat back conspiratorially waiting for the discovery. (Worked well, too, since one of mine got upset, thinking her shadow was out to get her; her slightly older brother was able to comfort her better than I because they had the same mindset.)
*The sound of tiny laughter in stereo! Tickle fights are tons more fun when the kids can tag-team ya!
*One baby on each hip -- fewer hands for the phone, but it's an evens out the weight distribution.
*Double-piggy back rides -- seeing how many kids we can pile on mom's back before we all topple. It's like human Jenga! (seriously, it's good for heaps of laughter.)
*Watching my toddler, who could barely walk, help the infant learn to roll. By demonstration. Clumsily. (Have camcorder ready.)
*The way even the smallest child automatically feels wiser than the baby. And the way Baby responds to him as if he were a hero. (Which he is!)
*Dog-pile hugs. Nothing better in the whole wide world. Bar none.
*Unity and trust -- the kids need each other's support. It's good for them to feel united against the common enemy (Growly Mom) as well as to share the good times with Fun Mom. They feel safe commiserating with each other, and everyone needs that. (Plus it's a crack-up to overhear. Occasionally, very eye-opening; but usually downright adorable.)
*Three kids in the same tub -- man, there's just no cuter picture than a bunch of tiny, chubby siblings lined up in a tub with bubble-beards!
*Loyalty -- my kids are a real team. Usually. They bicker and growl now and then, but boy, don't let anybody on the playground mess with one of them -- they'll be dealing with all three.
*Encouragement -- they all cheer each other on. We knew it might be hard for them to feel individual without competing, but somehow we lucked out. They all know that there's plenty of praise to go around and they all find ways to boost each other up. It's not a daily occurance; it happens unexpectedly, when I'm swamped with cooking and I can't give one the attention they need. Just when I think I'm a failure, here come one or two of the siblings, proud as can be to get to play the role of cheerleader and team captain all rolled into one. It makes me feel so blessed.
Listen, there are a lot of challenges, but you'll do fine. And you know the biggest miracle of all? After a year of having two (or however many) close together, you'll look back and be simply AMAZED at how you've grown. Every facet of what makes you a good mom will just blossom into this fuller, more adept persona. Personally, I think three-close-together is all I could ever handle -- but then again, I thought that when I had two and look how well it worked out!
Congratulations -- you're all going to have a blast!