When I was on maternity leave with Piper I felt so busy all the time taking care of her. I had literally no baby experience beforehand, and it was all I could do to make it through the day before handing her off to DH when he got home from work. Looking back I treasure that time alone with her as a newborn, but at the time I was seriously stressed.
Well DH had to go into work for a few hours today and he took Piper to daycare since I still can't lift her well. So I'm home alone with Kadence and it seems so easy! She cries, nurses, sleeps, repeat. Now she's napping and I had time to pick up the house, nest, eat lunch, and read a chapter of my book. I wonder what was so hard about this the first time :-) That said - I'm still a bit nervous about being alone with both of them. I was for 1/2 hour while DH ran to the store, and it's definitely a different story when you're trying to nurse a crying newborn while a crazy toddler runs around you asking "up", somehow finding an ink pen and heading for the couch with it, and demanding "bites" (what she calls food).
Re: One baby seems so easy now...
When DS#1 was born, I was alone with him all day because DD was in school full-time. My cousin made (what I thought was a very rude) comment to me: "Oh, it must be SO nice to stay home with just ONE." I felt like she was implying I laid around and ate bonbons all day long. Like you, I felt very busy and sometimes overwhelmed with "just one." Well, now that we've added a new member to the family, I know what she was talking about.
But I still think her comment was rude, and I'd never infer that people with "just one" at home don't do anything.
Anyway, being home with both of them will be hard at first, but it will get easier as the baby gets older and a bit more independent. And in a couple of years, the little ones can be playmates!
That sounds like my sister's house. Maybe this will make you feel better or take your mind off the insanity at your house.
My sister is 40 with a newborn, a demanding 3 year old and a 7 year old.
AND...going through a divorce with a man on anti-psychotic drugs.
AND...lives an 8 hour drive away from family.
Yes. She is on medication.
Good luck to you!
Karma - your poor sister. We are also several hours drive from any family, so I can understand that part of it, but I'm sure she's terribly overwhelmed with everything else going on. I think it's a good thing she's on meds that can hopefully help her deal with her situation. My thoughts are with her!
TaylorMill - I agree with you that having one is stressful - I hope it's obvious that I didn't mean to imply that one baby is some piece of cake! It sure wasn't for me! I do think a big part of it is that I'm more experienced with newborns now so I'm not so overwhelmed.
I didn't mean for this to come across as some sob story :-) I'll certainly be fine - just sharing my thoughts right now!
Griffin 10/2007
Obviously, my situation is different than yours, but every time I have just one baby with me it's crazy how easy it is. Even the most basic of things become difficult when you have two kids with you - it seems like you never have your hands free.
And I'm sure I would have found one child very hard had I just had a singleton - it's all a matter of perspective and experience, I guess.
I will say that you'll learn to manage both of them with ease with just a little practice. Pretty soon handling a toddler and an infant will be like second nature to you!