OH....PUH-LEASE!
You guys got it easy!
I have 17 month old triplets!
They were born at 31 weeks (9 weeks early)...My wife went into early labor really early and spent 56 days in the OB ICU on magnesium sulfate, a muscle relaxant to stop contractions...Even then, the babies were that early. Our kids were in the NICU for between 42 days to 50 days between the 3.
Our hospital bill topped 500K, and after our insurance the bills were still over 50% of what I make a year. And, yes we did in vitro to have the trips. So, the money we've lost to bills and such has put a huge damper on acquiring new studio gear.
But, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Having kids is the ultimate for me.
We knew it was a risk as my wife and I lost twins in '05. They were born really premature and their lungs were not strong enough for them to survive (my wife's body just doesn't like being pregnant, to say it in easy terms). They lived for about an hour and passed...But, the ordeal strengthened our resolve and proved to us how much we wanted to be parents.
The triplets were not planned and we took every precaution to not make the pregnancy too risky, but we still got "lucky"!
As for time, it's tough no doubt...A band, trying to do the studio thing, the kids, my wife, etc. It can be overwhelming. I had to really slow down the band thing for a short time. We didn't do many shows all of last year, which was unfortunate because we had som REALLY great opportunities and chances, but without "being out there", it hurt the interest we had garnered.
It's better now that they are 17 months. We are used to the kids and our life, know our routine (which you HAVE to have) and that allows us some good flexibility. The only thing that I miss is alone time with my wife. If we want to go out, it's one of us going out and the other watching the kids. Her family isn't much in the way of babysitting, and my parents live 125 miles away, so my wife and I are our only support system for the most part.
Lay out a plan, talk to your spouse about what you want (or significant other) and it can work.
I lost my "studio" at the house...I went from 2 tracking rooms and a control room to just a control room. So, I'm pretty much limited to mixing and mastering here, no tracking unless I do it somewhere else.
But, the extra money I make is nice since we do have kids. And, now that they are older, this new CD release has opened some doors back up. We have some endorsements and artist pricing deals, which again, is a godsend for me personally with the cost of the trips. Instead of 2-3 practices a week, we have just one long marathon practice night. I also have quite a bit of free time at my job, so editing projects, doing band business, etc. is very easily done (thanks to a laptop computer)!
Sorry for the length. There aren't many people on music forums that ever seem interested in kids, so I splurge when I can. Being a parent is the best music you'll ever make (cheesy, I know). I'd give it all up for them if I had to, but with careful planning, you can fulfill all the goals you put out for yourself and not miss a beat with your kids.
good luck and congrats!
