<><><><>MSUMAMAOF2<><><><>

itkatydid

hey lady!

How do you feel about your two year gap between kids? Is it perect or do you wish it was more or less? I've heard good things about the three year gap because the older baby is a little more independent.... Just tossing around ideas about getting KU'd

MSUMamaof2

If I had it to do over again, I'd shoot for 2.5-3 years.  There's a WORLD of difference between where Samuel is right now versus where he was when Eli was born  (they are almost 21 months apart).  I couldn't reason with Sam a year ago, he didn't respond to "no" or "stop, he wasn't potty trained, and he didn't really feed himself an entire meal without plastering the floor/walls/table with his food.  Now, Sam only uses a diaper at nap and bedtime, he feeds himself completely (and usually fairly mess-free), and we have a discipline strategy that works for him.  His terrible 2s are pretty much over, thank God.

Now, if our 3rd child is easy going like Eli, I'm not sure it will matter much what their age difference is.  But Sam.....holy nuts.  That child has been into everything since the day he was born.  I don't know if I'd want to do HIS terrible 2s again with a newborn.  Come to think of it, I'm kind of surprised I survived.  

Cheekie4

I can't keep my nose out of ppl's business.

We're debating the same thing.  One minute, I'm all about getting pg in April.  The next minute, I want to wait another year.  Also, we're tossing around the idea of me leaving elementary teaching (to teach preschool & SAH for a few years).  And on top of those big decisions, we're looking at homes (bigger if I keep working & oh-so-very teeny if I leave).  I have a headache w/ all that decision making.

itkatydid

"holy nuts" hehehehe That made me laugh! Yeah, that is what I was thinking but as soon as Kane started really STTN this little thought of baby #2 implanted itself in my brain but I know I'll be better able to handle it if I wait! Thanks!!!

 Cheekie- you know you can always butt in! More buggie babies= yes please!

MSUMamaof2

All that being said, I'm convinced that if I had to actually TTC, I'd never "decide" I was ready.  The good Lord knew when it was time for us and He sent us the boys on his calendar.  I'm just hoping He doesn't send me another "challenge" for at least another 2 years.  I'm about to embark on an ambitious weight loss plan and finish my master's degree.  Plus, I'd really like to get Sam to kindergarten before #3.  

And yes, Cheekie, please jump in.  Having a nice Christmas break?   

Cheekie4

C, I feel like letting it happen is the best.  Buggie was a surprise, & we're so happy.  I'm just a planner.  Always have been & probably always will be. 

Christmas Break has been great minus the flu for DH & I on Christmas Eve & a funeral on our anniversary.  Actually, it has been really awesome.  It's what has us looking really hard into cutting our spending drastically & me looking into other options for work or trying to SAH next year.

MSUMamaof2

Glad your break has been nice, H.  And good luck with your decision making!  It was really tough for me at first to agree to cut back on spending and take that leap of faith to SAH (I am also a planner--funny how you'd never guess that from my "unplanned" pregnancies).  I didn't realize how much of a control freak I was with making my "own" money.  It might sound crazy, but as awesome as my DH usually is, it took me a long time to trust him completely with supporting us.  I had to let go of a lot of inhibitions there.  All in all, it's been a positive experience.  I know you've said several times you would like to stay home, so I hope you guys can make that work out.