Twins Plus One Update...

luvmagoldn

So we are five weeks in to being a family of five.  The big boys (as I've started calling them) are still sweet to the baby.  Yesterday I took the boys to DC while Ryan stayed home with DH.  When we pulled out of the driveway Andrew pointed to the empty car seat base next to him and said, "where baby Ryan?"  It's good to know he wouldn't let me forget the baby!

I must admit though, patience is the order of every...single...day.  I'm not sure if it's just that the boys are 2, or I'm a little sleepy much of the time, or if it's the baby crying in the background but I find myself getting very testy when the boys are running around not listening to me.  Getting them both dressed for DC in the morning while trying to keep the baby satisfied is a challenge.  Some mornings it all flows pretty smoothly.  Other mornings I'm having to threaten time out just to get someone's pants on! 

Giving myself little pep talks seems to work.  I try to remind myself that we are all doing ok, the big boys are acting in an appropriate way for their age and they don't care that I have 87 things to do in order to get them out the door.  And they shouldn't care at this point - that's mama's job.  I'm finding that adjusting how I approach a stressful situation makes all the difference in the world. 

I had to chuckle last night at bath time.  DH was bathing the big boys while I was trying to calm the baby who was crying.  I ended up sitting on the bathroom floor nursing him so I could stay with the boys (they cry and freak out if I'm not IN the bathroom with them during bath time).  You just do what you've got to do! 

I just wanted to share my experience so far for those of you who are concerned about how to make it all work with twins + 1.  Just like we all figured out how to handle two children at once we will figure this out too, right?

cands

I am SO glad to hear it's going well for you.  Because your kids are almost exactly the same age distribution that I'll have. 

How is dealing with not STTN again?  That's one of the things I'm most worried about.

JenandChris06

Add one more newborn to the mix and  that is where I'm at.  All of your children are the same exact age as mine, so I know exactly how you're feeling and what you are dealing with!  But having already had twins, I'm not freaking out as much this time as I did the first time around because I know what to expect, although it's harder in a new way because it's twins PLUS 2 toddlers.  Someday it will get easier...right??  LOL

LilSurferGirl

Thanks for sharing your experience - we're getting ready to do an FET for # 3 and I am worried about a lot of the same things with having 2 toddlers and a newborn (never mind 2 again!).  It's good to hear from others who are doing it and making it work with grace and love and humor!! 

luvmagoldn

Cands - the not STTN thing isn't nearly as painful for me this time around.  Because the older boys sleep so well at night and are at DC during the day I feel like I am cobbling together a decent amount of sleep.  With only one baby to feed during the night I get a couple of 2 -3 hour stretches and I can usually catch a nap during the day.  If the older boys were home with me all day it would be a completely different story!

Jen - twins and twins again?  My hat is off to you!  I hope you are able to get some rest at some point during the day or night!

kelly pavao

I'm in the same situation as you, we have 2 year old twin boys and just had another boy in february. I totally agree with the twins not listening, they definitely know that when i'm bf the baby, it's the best time to get into something. i can't wait until this little guy is STTN. i love naptime.

krisc

Thanks for the update!  I'm sure once I'm in it it'll be an entirely different story (you just do what you have to do) but some days I'm terrified thinking of how I'll manage all three at once. 

And Jen, twins plus twins, wow!  You are super mom! 

Leah5185

Thanks for posting, I am wondering how I will handle it all!