For the STMs... what is your fav diaper bag? I'm thinking a backpack style would be good for hands free purposes. Thoughts?
I love my ju-ju-be BFF (the backpack style). It makes it so easy to take my 2 year-old around to different places and be hands free. We go to children's museums or the zoo or the park and it's so much easier than the over the shoulder. Plus the straps are super comfy. It's pricy, so I'm so happy that I'm having another one to justify the purchase since I got it earlier this year. It had a great mommy pocket that I can keep all my stuff in and it's easy to wash (machine washable). It also comes with a strap that can make it the over the shoulder kind, which makes my husband and dad happy when they go out with him.
@kelseyh62 I had a skip hop tote until dd was one. I recently switched to my northface backpack and love it. I'll probably switch back to the tote because it's easier to find things.
My husbands attendance is mandatory anytime I have to stay overnight at a hospital. I don't care what obstacles he has to overcome, he will be there. He knows this. He doesn't even dare eluding to anything otherwise because he will feel my wrath. He doesn't WANT to leave my side, so it's not a one-sided deal.
One time, my old boss boasted to me that he went home and slept and took a shower and relaxed while he wife was in labor overnight in the hospital -- he was like, "yeah, I needed to get a good nights rest and shower." ...Anyone, especially men, who have caught wind of this fact have nothing nice to say about this act - they think it was despicable and selfish and usually call him out on it to see if it's really true. So, I think men leaving their wives alone in the hospital is rare.
If my husband tries, which he wouldn't, I'd likely respond with something like:
ETA this time, we plan for my son to be watched by my step-mom while we are in the hospital. She was a nanny in her youth and is a miracle worker with kids. I have no hesitation in this decision.
I'm actually planning on sending DH home to stay with DD overnight this time around, only because our child care option is my MIL and the idea of her in my house overnight stresses me out far more than the idea of being alone in the hospital overnight where I can call nurses to help or take the baby to the nursery. He definitely stayed last time though.
DH stayed last time, but I'm planning on sending him home to be with DD overnight this time. If he puts her to bed and he is there if/when she wakes overnight and in the morning it will keep things more normal for her. She reacts strongly to disruptions in her schedule and typical way of life, so I feel that minimizing disruptions in the days leading up to the MAJOR disruption of adjusting to a sibling is important.
I'm worried about logistics of transitioning from 1-2. With my first, it was all about her and her schedule. I'm realizing I won't be able to sleep in with the new baby as long as she wants. My toddler gets up between 5:30-6:30 (not happy about that) so I'm going to have to be up when she's up. That's the type of things I'm worried about with #2. Those with two already, what did your mornings look like with a newborn and a toddler?
@underthesea I have the same worries! DS is also an early riser. I remember when he was born, he would wake around 5:30, but I was always able to nurse him and he would go back down until 8. Even if this new baby does that, I won't be able to go back to sleep because DS will most likely be up.
Mornings definitely scare me more than eveingings and nights right now.
@underthesea I'm terrified because we got rid of our second car (because DH takes the train to the city and we don't need two) but...my daughter and I drive him every morning at 7:20. The idea of doing so with two littles boogers when I'm running on minimal sleep is daunting. E wakes up between 5:30-7:30. My husband will have to be on early morning shift with her because I'll be dead from sleep deprivation. Can your husband help with this?
@ThePax89 and @nolemomma14 it's going to be rough that's for sure! I guess we just have to find what works and get through it. My husband is usually out the door by 6:45 for work so he can help a bit. I'm praying that the girls' naps will line up and I can get some rest then too.
I switched to a back pack a few months ago in preparation for this baby. I gave up on cutesy bags and even cutesy backpacks and just went for the J is for Jeep backpack. It holds a ton more than any diaper bag I have had and I love the hands free options it provides. Whether I had a messenger bag or regular tote type bag it was always falling if I bent over to pick up DS.
Re: Ask a STM+ Week of 9/19
One time, my old boss boasted to me that he went home and slept and took a shower and relaxed while he wife was in labor overnight in the hospital --
he was like, "yeah, I needed to get a good nights rest and shower." ...Anyone, especially men, who have caught wind of this fact have nothing nice to say about this act - they think it was despicable and selfish and usually call him out on it to see if it's really true. So, I think men leaving their wives alone in the hospital is rare.
If my husband tries, which he wouldn't, I'd likely respond with something like:
ETA
this time, we plan for my son to be watched by my step-mom while we are in the hospital. She was a nanny in her youth and is a miracle worker with kids. I have no hesitation in this decision.
Mornings definitely scare me more than eveingings and nights right now.