Babies: 9 - 12 Months
hrenee520
member
Options
Unexpectedly expecting baby #2! (yikes?)
hrenee520
member
Any mommies out there expecting right now, with a 9 month old at home? We just found out (not planned) and it seems the babies will be 16 months apart. I am beyond excited but so, so nervous. Just hoping I can handle it and be the best mother I can be! I'd appreciate if someone could tell me having 2 with this specific age gap isn't so bad!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Unexpectedly expecting baby #2! (yikes?)
My kids are about 19 months apart and even though we planned it that way I was still very nervous. It takes some adjustment at first, but I really love it. We haven't had any jealousy issues and my kids are already best of friends. It helps to slide the new baby into your existing schedule with your older child.
I am nearly half way through pregnancy already :-)
I'm excited about having 2 under 2. I'm actually excited about having 3 that are 3 and under! We planned it. All of our babies were conceived with the help of science.
Off B.C. Jan '06, started charting Feb '08, 2% morphology and PCOS, no O with meds,
IVF w/ICSI only option to conceive.
Licensed Foster Parents 07.11
Miracle BFP 7.20.11 1st beta 6,274! EDD 3.17.12
Miracle Baby born March 5, 2012 . 6lbs 1oz, 19 3/4"
Miracle BFP #2 10.8.12 - edd 6.20.13
Mine are 16 months apart! I will be honest it was a really rough first year but now it's wonderful. They are best friends, into the same toys, wear the same size clothing and shoes, even though my dd can talk more they love to "talk" and play together and rarely have jealousy. Some tips I learned:
the newborn stage wasn't that bad (they sleep a lot) but getting the older one a new toy to play with as a distraction was a huge help. I remember bringing home DS and her running up to say hi then ran off playing again,,she bnever had any issues and was too young to really "get it" it wasnt until he was crawling and could take away his toys that she really noticed him as a being that can really do stuff. Before that it was give baby hugs and kisses and keep playing!
I had everything I needed on both floors so I wasn't leaving one unattended to run upstairs for a change of clothing or diapers. White noise machine helped me drown out the toddler noises during naps.
i used my double stroller ALOT! Some baby wear but for me (I am alone all day) having one newborn in the ergo while a toddler decided to throw a tantrum in the parking lot left me really carrying both in the street while my toddler "pat" the newborns little head! Or having her throw a tantrum while trying to put her in a shopping cart and almost kicking his little head made me forget the baby wearing and use the stroller. I had the city select which is a single and can convert to a double or use a glider board for toddler to ride on. I would often snap the car seat (with DS sleeping) in one end, DD in the other with snacks and go do my grocery shopping.
My hardest time was dS from 3-6 months. They are awake, can't sit up yet but want to play, and my kids were horrible sleepers. I learned to have almost everything prepared the night before....even sippy cups. I had a few moments of trying to pour a gallon of milk into a sippy while bfing. I cooked, plated, and wrapped every meal so all I needed to do was throw it in the microwave or just hand her s sippy from the fridge. Same went with cleaning and cooking. It was a "good day" if I got 1 load of laundry done and unloaded the dishwasher. The first 6 months were very hectic but I reminded myself all the time "no one ever died from crying" and sometimes they just have to wait. As long as everyone was in fed, in bed, clean, and laughed at least once today I did my job!
I loved having 2u2 even though it was hard. I always tell people having them close is easy on them but hard on you as the parents but so worth it.
In my experience, the first 2 months were manageable only because we had help. Months 3 through 5 were difficult, and it got better from there.
You never know how it will be though. I was recovering from a c section and my LO had reflux. If we weren't dealing with both of those things it may have been easier.
We planned it this way as we are in our late 30's. If we have another we will wait until our second is a year and a half to try. We are tired!