how do you do it?

jen&gene

Ok...so I know that I am very new to 2u2....my lo is only 2 weeks old...but as I sit here typing this, we are all still in our pjs, breakfast dishes have yet to be done and there is a ton of laundry to do...oh and today my dh is home!!! 

How do you actually get things done and get out of the house?  or do things with lo #1?  I want to get him outside more now that I am not pregnant and can more around easier, but I just cant imagine finding the time to set up the baby pool or water table and take care of 2 little ones.  I need to hear your routine...lol.  Also, I know many people shower at night, but that is just not me...I need to shower in the morning to feel awake.  

Thanks for all the advice....just feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment....

 

juliane2004

I just wanted to say that my kids are 8 months and 22 months and we still have at least one day a week that I call "jammie day" where all three of us are in our pjs all day long. Sometimes it's just too much work to get out that day and that's OKAY!

We do go out (to the mall, doc appts, etc) approximately 3-4 times a week. You'll get used to it. It does take about 15 minutes to get everybody in the car when it takes me alone 1 minute.

I actually find it easier to go out with 2 kids rather than stay at home and play in a pool outside with them. But your 2 week old is very young, and at that age, my DS slept a TON.

For the shower thing, I usually wake up when DS cries in the morning (8-8:30 am), feed him and there's usually about 30-60 minutes after that before DD gets up. Sometimes I stay in my pjs, but if I want a shower in the morning, that's when I have it.

 

mayowife

I suggest following EASY as recommended by the Baby Whisperer and I think you should consider showing with one or both of your LOs.

I would try to get a predictable routine for both LOs. I used the Baby Whispers methods from day one and it's really great to be able to predict eating and sleeping. If I want to take LO#1 in the yard I can plan to do so while LO#2 is napping. If I want to get out of the house I usually get myself ready, make lunch, and pack the car while LO#1 is taking his morning nap. As soon as he wakes up we leave. This way we're able to get home for his afternoon nap. During his afternoon nap I prepare dinner. LO#2 is on a 3 hour EASY, which equates to at 4 or 5 naps a day. With so much napping I can still be on the go during her nap time knowing she'll get other quality naps at a different part of the day.

sweetpea2003

I consider the first 6 weeks of having a baby (whether it is #1 or #10) "survival mode".  Everyone is exhausted and adjusting.  Go easy on yourself.  Like all things, it gets easier with practice .

For the first weeks I just tried to go on walks during the day.  That was my way out of the house and the fresh air, light exercise made me feel better.  Then as my son started to get more predictable with his schedule I could go out more. 

As for "how" you do it - you just GO.  Your infant is sleepy and will be very portable.  I found that I have to think logistics through a little more with 2 kids, but I don't let having them hold me in my house.  If I know there will be double carts - yay.  If there won't - I pull out the Ergo. 

A can-do attitude and a sense of humor go a LONG way in this situation.  I have had to laugh at myself a lot these last 9 months.  ESPECIALLY since my DH deployed in May.  I am all alone all the time and I just have to get things done the best I can.  If I can survive - you can .

sweetpea2003

I didnt' give you my schedule because my 9 month old is very different than your 2 week old.  Things have constantly evolved as both of my kids have gotten older.  I follow "Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child" as a guideline for sleep in my home.  In the early days I really only planned around my DD's nap schedule (one afternoon nap) since my DS could sleep on the go easily.  Now that my DS needs the dark quiet room to sleep I have to plan around his morning and afternoon nap and my DD's afternoon nap.  So honestly, it was a tad easier to get out when he wasn't on a set schedule .

jen&gene

Thank you all for your replies.  I am sure that it will get easier as we settle into a routine.   All of your kind words, and can do attitudes have definitely made me feel better.  Thanks again for the support!

kcisthebombdotcom

Honestly, the more you do things, the more you get used to it and learn tricks that work well with your duo.

I remember seeing a mom out not too long ago when I was out alone with my 2u2 duo. She was pregnant with her 2nd and was so nervous about it. She was so excited to see me managing both kids alone because people in her life told her that she was going to be stuck in the house all the time because it was going to be too unmanageable to go out with both kids. In the first month or 2, you will not be in a routine yet, still recovering, etc so don't set a high expectation. As they get older, you'll be able to do more.

You're only going to be stuck at home if you allow yourself to be.

norbert5

DD#1 is 21 months old and DD#2 is almost two months.  I feel like we are just leaving survival mode and in the beyond exhausted mode.  Here are some of my tricks.

At night I start a load of laundry and sometimes I get it in the dryer before I go to bed and sometimes I don't.  In the morning I dry/fluff it while I am in the shower, take it out and lay it on the bed.  I fold it through out the day.

I pack the diaper bag at night.  I also always leave extra diapers/wipes, a blanket and clothes in the car in an extra diaper bag.  There is also a few water bottles and granola bars.  Just in case I forget something in my normal diaper bag there are back ups.  It is just peace of mind for me.

I wake up an hour before DD#2 and feed DD#1 shower and get dressed.  I always make the bed too.  For some reason it just makes me feel better.

Also my schedule is super predictable.  Mondays I go to story time, Tuesday's I walk with a gf, Wed. is unscheduled, Thursday is Farmer's Market, and Friday is unscheduled as well.  Also a walk can do wonders doesn't have to be long/fast/purposeful just a change in environment for a few minutes can help. 

I also keep cleaning super simple.  I set the timer and clean for about 15-30 minutes a day while DD#1 naps and DD#2 is napping (or at least not crying).

Good Luck!