September 2015 Moms

Moms of 2 or more

Hi y'all! I've been around since my first BFP but haven't been super vocal on this thread so I hope I'm okay to start now! 

To be blunt, I have crazy baby fever!!! When we got pregnant, we were super vague on when we would have #2. Then, my husband became convinced that we should try for a 2 year gap, which means we would start trying this December. I thought about it for awhile (since I originally thought 3 years apart would be ideal) and decided I was on board for 2 years. Now, I feel like I'm ready any minute.

Our first was and has been a really great baby. Don't hurt me, but we never really understood what sleep deprivation was since #1 didn't give us too much trouble. I don't want to count on our future babies being so easy but at the moment I can only expect what I already know. However, I have heard and feel this overwhelming feeling that going from 1 to 2 will be harder than going from 0 to 1. Am I wrong? Right? If we got pregnant this month, they would be 22 months apart. 

Also, we got pregnant during our first month of trying last time. I wonder whether it will be as easy the next time, and wonder what I can expect.

I think I just would like insight from those of you that have more than 1. What's the age difference and are you happy with it? And did you find the ease of getting pregnant easier, the same, or harder than before? 

Re: Moms of 2 or more

  • I went from 1 to 3! Lol. My daughter is 5 years and 1 week older than my twin boys and I love the age difference! Shes so independent. I don't feel i have to stress so much because shes independent and older. She knows how to read so she hardly needs help with homework. She dresses, showers, and brushes her teeth her self. She understands if I need her to wait on something if her brothers are crying or need something. & even though its a 5 yr gap theyre really close. They get happy to see her when shes home from school. She plays with them in her room or living room. She knows how to calm them down if what I'm doing isnt working. Shes just amazing and they love her. Ive noticed that people worry having their kids so far apart(DH was one of them) because they think they wont be close but they are. I also liked that i didnt have to worry about diapers or potty training with her while having the boys. Some people are up for it and kuddos to mommas who have them back to back! Major props there because its a lot of work. I wouldnt be up for it lol so the 5yr gap worked perfect for me. Now DD is 6 the boys 13 months and i love it. 

    I found it was the same getting pregnant the 2nd time. With DD i was off the pill about 2-3 weeks before getting pregnant. With the boys, got off the mirena, next day started my period, 2.5 weeks later pregnant with my boys. Surprised i got pregnant so fast because i had been on the mirena since DD was born so for about 4 yrs and 4 months and only had a period 8-10 times 2 days tops each and it was mostly spotting.  

     Also, it does get harder & its a big change. You go from caring for 1 to 2 or in my case 3. Your time is divided even more. You have to do more. The biggest challenge for me was leaving the house. I was used to DD getting ready herself, that time management took me a while because i had to get the boys and my self ready, get the diaper bags ready get all 3 of them in the car etc. (Which in your case if tou get pregnant soon shouldnt be a huge difference since you'll still be getting LO ready.)My number 1 reason for not having more kids is giving them each time. Theres times DD wants me to herself which obviously isnt possible if i have 2 babies crawling around seeking my attention as well. It gets harder to give them each individual mommy time and attention. Pregnancy is a little harder too becuase with baby #1 we dont have anyone to be running around after or doig for. With the 2nd+ pregnancy you cant stop caring for your other child even with morning sickness and fatigue you have to keep going.

    Not trying to bumb you out but it is a noticeable change. Is it worth it? Of course! Will you get the hang of things? Of course! Will it take time and work! Hell yeah! 

    Just remember everyone and every baby is different. Somethings might be easier or harder for you than for others. So good luck! And let us know when you have the next bun in the oven.
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  • There are three years different in my kids and I love it. As soon as I got one out of diapers I had another. He was old enough to understand he needed to be quiet or could get me a diaper if I needed one. Yet they are you doing enough that they get along very well. The biggest help is they both take a nap and quiet time at the same time so I can still get a shower in and some cleaning kid free. 
    It was very hard being pregnant with a two year old though. Being sick was not fun but I don't thing at any age it will be easy. Sick is sick.
  • And I think the transition from 0 to 1 baby is so much harder then 1 to 2. You at least know what to expect the second time. You feel more confident 
  • Good post! Following. I keep thinking that I am so tired, how in the world can I care for a second one? LO is sleeping longer stretches finally but we still have nights where we wake up every two hours. If I had a crystal ball that told me number 2 would sleep longer stretches well before 11 months, I would consider having another.  But I fear more sleep deprivation! Love hearing about everyone's journey.
  • My kids are 10, 5, and 1. Although there are benefits to having an older kid (my 10yo is smitten with his little sister & loves to help me & play with her), the gap also has its challenges. For example, the boys are always arguing over what to watch on Netflix because they like different shows based on their age. I've told my husband if he wants one more, I'm not waiting 4 more years!
  • DD just turned 1 a few weeks ago and DS is 3. They ended up being 2 years 4 months apart(because DD decided to come a whole month early!) I think there are pros and cons no matter what age difference they are. When we considered trying again after our first I went back and forth on how far apart I wanted them. I definitely leaned toward having them closer together. I will say going from 1 to 2 is so much different that from 0 to 1. DS was a very easy baby as well. He was very easy going, not a lot fussing and also a great sleeper. DD has become a very good sleeper and she is a happy girl now. When she was real little she had some digestive issues which made it very hard trying to take care of 2 but once that was taken care of it became easier. With all that said, I love having them close together like this. We had 2 in diapers for a little bit but that never bothered me. They are really starting to play together now that DD can walk and really interact with him. I think you just have to do what feels best for your family!
  • DD just turned 1 a few weeks ago and DS is 3. They ended up being 2 years 4 months apart(because DD decided to come a whole month early!) I think there are pros and cons no matter what age difference they are. When we considered trying again after our first I went back and forth on how far apart I wanted them. I definitely leaned toward having them closer together. I will say going from 1 to 2 is so much different that from 0 to 1. DS was a very easy baby as well. He was very easy going, not a lot fussing and also a great sleeper. DD has become a very good sleeper and she is a happy girl now. When she was real little she had some digestive issues which made it very hard trying to take care of 2 but once that was taken care of it became easier. With all that said, I love having them close together like this. We had 2 in diapers for a little bit but that never bothered me. They are really starting to play together now that DD can walk and really interact with him. I think you just have to do what feels best for your family!
    See i agree that its hard when you have a baby having issues and another child who needs ypu a the same time.. It was harder for me when the boys were smaller because they were preemies. I had to feed them every 3 hours on the dot. They each took half hour to feed(feeding was so hard for them for the first 6 months) & were on oxygen for about a month. pumped every 2 hours, and I had DD on the side who needed to get to school, picked up from school and needed help with homework. All 3 of them needed me constantly. Now shes 6 and them 13 months and every thing has fallen into place... She reads now and hardly needs help with homework. The boys self feed and play and entertain eachother. When she gets home they play and eat dinner together. I think the hard part is  the pregnancy and the first half year. Everything falls into place and gets easier of course.

     I agree that whatever works for each family. I had mine 5 years apart and even though it doesnt compare to the extra work you lovely mommas who had them so close in age, it was a challenege. Sometimes still is. So in reality no matter the age differece theirs changes and struggles and benefits..
  • My two oldest two are 22 months apart and best friends!  I had a hard time going from 0-1 because I had fertility issues and didn't feel ready to have a baby but felt forced to do it fast because we wanted three eventually.  Going from 1-2 wasn't so bad and 2-3 was even easier!  

    I potty trained DD1 before DD2 was born. That helped tremendously.  DD2 slept through the night since the day she was born and never cried (unlike DD1 who at 7 still doesn't sttn).  I love that they're so close now and wouldn't change it for the world!

    Good luck!!

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I think it really depends on the kids and the situation.

    After having a 13.5 month gap between my first two and a 17 month gap before #3, I thought the 2-year age gap between #4 and #5 would turn out to be ideal.  But in reality, there's quite a bit of #4 trying to physically harm #5.

    As far as 2 years apart versus 3, I can't comment because I haven't done a three year gap.  #3 and #4 are 6.5 years apart and that's actually pretty cool.  But based on my experience I'd tend toward "less of a gap is more".
    Laura, mom of:
    James (14)
    William (13)
    Elise (11)
    Zachary (5)
    George (3)

    www.letterstoauntkay.com [making the blog private.  PM me if you want to subscribe]
  • We're in the same situation, hoping for our second to be between 2-3 years apart :) Originally, we'd planned on 2.5-3 years, but I have baby fever again and since my little niece was just born in September, I decided I'd rather have all the kiddos closer in age growing up, so we're going to get a start on trying earlier than planned!

    Our first was a very easy baby, good sleeper, good eater, so I keep reminding myself that our next could be the complete opposite! (But crossing my fingers we luck out again!)

    Honestly, I am so in love with my little man that I can't imagine having another little one to love - my heart is going to burst!
  • jen83mn said:
    We're in the same situation, hoping for our second to be between 2-3 years apart :) Originally, we'd planned on 2.5-3 years, but I have baby fever again and since my little niece was just born in September, I decided I'd rather have all the kiddos closer in age growing up, so we're going to get a start on trying earlier than planned!

    Our first was a very easy baby, good sleeper, good eater, so I keep reminding myself that our next could be the complete opposite! (But crossing my fingers we luck out again!)

    Honestly, I am so in love with my little man that I can't imagine having another little one to love - my heart is going to burst!
    Lmao! I was like you! how could i have more kids & love them the same!?? I would constantly ask my mom how in the hell are you supposed to love more than 1 kid lol. But its possible. You love them equally but different if that makes since? I love my 3 the same amount but my daughter was my 1st & i learned how to become a mother because of her & shes my best friend. My boys, I went through so much with them that it makes me appreciate the 3 of them even more plus they're twins which makes my daily routine quite unique :smile: . And its nice that when DD whants DH over me i have 2 little dudes wanting me. 
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