Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? My DD won't listen to me whatsoever. She's being defiant and disobedient mostly with me and listens more to her father. I suppose it comes with age but she's always trying to be a clown and it's exhausting. First trimester exhaustion makes it worse.
@momo214 Let me reassure you- life is better after 3. 3 just kind of sucks. Whoever said "terrible twos" obviously hadn't had a 3 year old. I don't want to speak for you or your DD, but of all of the kids we have ever had, 3 has been the worst. In fact, of my group of mom friends (there are 4 of us with 22 children total) we all agree 3 is the worst for defiance. I'm not sure when your DD turns 4, but I promise life gets better at 4. Hang in there.
Thanks for the reassurance. I hear this all the time from my other been-there-done-that mom friends but can be hard to believe that this too shall pass. Luckily DD will turn 4 in May so I hope this phase passes by the time baby is here. I love her immensely but she is one stubborn as hell, strong willed, beast child.
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? I hope kiddo number 2 gets as much attention and feels as special as my son does as an only child.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I'm looking forward to seeing my son as a big brother. He looooves babies.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? I love the small town feel of the city I live in. I hate it when it gets super windy. I mean, we live on the prairies so it's always windy, I hate the big wind gusts that sound like they're going to rip off the shingles and uproot trees.
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? We have finally got DD to sleep at least 8 hrs by herself before she wants us to come get her. I am worried about a sleep regression when the baby gets here.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: Yesterday we showed DD a picture of the ultrasound and she immediately pointed to the baby which is surprising because they couldnt get a good picture of the baby.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? My favorite thing is how it feels small and we can make a small 10 minute commute if we want to go to dinner or something. Least favorite thing is the neighborhood I am wanting us to move in the same town just to a different neighborhood. There are not a lot of small children at all and not a lot of diversity.
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? DS told me he doesn't want a baby because he likes it being just him. I am trying to play up that he can teach the baby things and be a helper, but if anyone has any ideas on how to introduce the concept of a new baby to the family, I am open to them. Any books, TV shows, etc?
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I am happy at the idea of our family being complete.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? My favorite thing is its safety and suburban layout with the proximity of all the fun Los Angeles things. My least favorite thing is the traffic. It is always terrible.
Hi, I don't have much advice as I haven't told mine there's another baby coming yet. But when I was expecting DS2 I started telling DS1 he could help with the baby. My mother told me not to say that, but to tell him he could help mummy. It really worked too as he loved to help me out but couldn't imagine/get excited about the baby yet. Your DS might feel differently when baby actually arrives, but for now I'd focus on how he will be super important as your helper!
How far along are you? 7 weeks and a few days, not exact since I haven't had my first appt yet (10/25 can't get here fast enough) How old are your other kids? DS turned 2 in June, will be about a month shy of 3 when this LO is born.
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? I mentioned potty training in a previous post, i would really like to get him out of diapers. and possibly out of his crib?
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: looking too add more love
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? favorite, no neighbors, least is the taxes, ugh. We live in illinois.
How old are your other kids? Viking turns 18 months tomorrow
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? We've settled into a very nice groove at the moment, which means everything is about to change. I know all STMs worry about this, but I am so madly in love with Viking, I just can't imagine falling for another kid like I have with him.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: My first is too heavy to wear comfortably, so I'm looking forward to wearing a new squish again.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? I live in Fort Wayne but spend all my time is in Huntington. My favorite is how the community looks after each other. Also, four seasons. My least favorite thing is how high the city utility bills are. And boy do I miss my mountains.
Jana Lynn
Happily married since 5/24/2015 Momma of a baby Viking since 4/16, expecting #2 in 5/18
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? I am wondering if my kids will be ok with this. They have a different father who they don't see anymore. They adore my SO but I just hope the baby brings us even closer together.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I can't believe I will have a baby again. Excited for all of it! GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? We are moving soon. SO is building us a house... so that's pretty terrifying. A lot going on this year for us.
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? We started potty training this weekend! That's all the challenges I can handle at the moment haha
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I'm excited to grow our family. I think DS will be a great big brother.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? I live south of Boston. I love the seasons changing, our passionate sports fans, and all the history MA has. My least favorite is traffic, way too many pot holes and the high cost of living.
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? stressing about pt and having a hard time thinking about my current kid adjusting to not being the only anymore.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I think once the adjustment period is over, T is going to be an awesome big brother. I can't wait to see then play together. GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? My favorite is the summers, proximity to the beaches and mountains, vacation spots and the city all at once. My least favorite is winter, which seems to last forever. (I live in north central MA)
@jlr025 any tips for starting potty training? or any other STMs who have had success the first go around? We have a trip planned at the end of the month, and plan to start potty training when we get back. I also need tips on getting rid of the binky
@bwow615 we did a three day method with DS. We stayed at home, had the little potty out in the living room and the potty seat on the toilet in his bathroom. Every time he tried, he got a sour patch kid (his choice) and every time he had success, he got three. I used the puppy training pads while he was in his high chair and sitting on the couch after an epic pee accident that seemed more like a flood. Day 1 was rough. Day 2, he understood that he was in control of making his pee come out and it clicked. We slowly faded the candy for peeing and used it only for poop until he stopped asking. We used pull ups at nap and night time until a few months ago and we potty trained DS last August.
We also had to work on on getting rid of the pacifier. I waited until he felt solid with potty training to take it away. He only had it at naps, Night time and long car trips from the time he was 1 on, so it was pretty easy. We told him pacifiers are for babies and he’s a big boy who uses the potty now. It was actually really easy!
@bwow615, I can't help with the binky, we took ours away from the girls when they were 10 months old, cold turkey and never had a problem with it. For potty training, I posted this link in a previous thread, and some other women on here said they used the same method, and it worked wonders. I always recommend it when the topic comes up. https://www.lucieslist.com/toddlerhood/the-two-day-method-potty-training/
Me, 35 Hubs, 32 Married June 2012 BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013 BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014 BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
@jlr025 any tips for starting potty training? or any other STMs who have had success the first go around? We have a trip planned at the end of the month, and plan to start potty training when we get back. I also need tips on getting rid of the binky
We haven't potty trained yet, so I am no help there. As for the pacifier, you just have to do it. We did it over a 3 day weekend as a few people told us it takes 3 days to really complete it. The first night was awful. DD cried on and off for almost 2 hours and DS cried for 3. He was so upset that I finally took him for a drive to get him to sleep. He was out before I left the driveway. The next day we did nap time and it was under an hour and thst night was only 30ish minutes with barely any crying. You just cannot give in. It's hard, but they won't remember it. DH still thanks me for not letting him call it off that first night. Life is much easier.
Thanks for the tips @mileswithmyles & @sandbar517 I will keep you all posted with progress starting next month I think finding a little treat like you mentioned may work, this kid has a sweet tooth for candy like no other thanks to his older cousins!
@bwow615 we did the 3 day method too! It was amazing. Kept our 2 year old naked on his lower half and stayed home all weekend. I gave him all the sugary drinks we usually restrict. He had to go sit on the potty every 15 minutes. The article I read said no diapers or pull ups even for nap and bed. We did wake him up after 6 hours to go potty. We had some accidents at night, but very few during the day! Diapers have been gone for 2 months now!!! *my other son sent his binkys to a new baby on a balloon. We told him they were all inside the balloon and had one visible tied on the string. He sent them off for a new baby to use. (This was 1.5 years ago and we weren't expecting)
@bwow615 Regarding the binky, ours was called a "night night" and we set up for the "night night fairy" to come and DD left all of her pacifiers by the fireplace and she got a prize and a letter from the fairy who took them to her palace (a story I basically made up on the fly). Luckily it worked and she knew the night nights were no longer in the house so she couldn't cry for them anymore. Good luck!
How old are your other kids? My daughter is 16 months old
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? When will my hair stop being such a disaster? So many layers, most of my hair is like 4 inches long, and I'm so scared to have it all fall out/break off again after this pregnancy!
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: Every time I see a picture of two little kids hugging I basically lose my shit. Even if they fight almost all the time, so excited to give them a buddy to grow up with!
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? I love my city - just wish everyone else didn't love it so much too (Portland, OR)! Favorite part is having so many trails to run on just a few minutes from my house. Least favorite part is just traffic starting to get worse. I guess 8-9 months of grey skies is kind of a bummer, but I'm used to it.
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? DS has croup right now...it sucks but the nurses taught me what to do for him. Besides the cough, you'd never know he was sick though, the way he will NOT slow down!! Climbing on top of EVERYTHING....this exhausted momma needs a spa day.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I am so glad my DS will have a friend to grow up with! I just had pregnancy confirmed yesterday and it's finally starting to sink in and I'm really happy with our timing!!
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? I live in Michigan and I literally love everything about it! All the seasons, all the lakes, the natural beauty and our bigger cities. It's really just an amazing place all around!
My kiddo was never really committed to a pacifier, every now and then he will say he wants one but it's like two minutes and he's done. But for potty training we started him around 18 months when he pointed to it and I would let him sit. He's 2 years 4 months and doing great. Mostly undies all the time except at night, haven't tackled that one yet. At home we let him just hang out in his undies and shirt too so it's easier for him to pull down. And I usually encourage him to go before new activities. We used smarties, chocolate chips, or stickers as incentives when he was starting out and then a peanut butter cup or cookie when we worked on the poop in the potty. Now he usually just goes, but for poop he likes "privacy" since that's what mom and dad ask for in the bathroom.
@bwow615 we are just starting off so I'm no potty training expert, but I've heard a lot of people had success with the 2-3 day method! He started complaining when he had a dirty diaper and not sitting down, etc so I took that opportunity to start. We use rewards, he loves m&ms so that's worked so far! We're doing diapers at nap and bed time.
Re: STM+ Check In Week of 10/5
10 +1
How old are your other kids?
18 months
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
I hope kiddo number 2 gets as much attention and feels as special as my son does as an only child.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
I'm looking forward to seeing my son as a big brother. He looooves babies.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live?
I love the small town feel of the city I live in. I hate it when it gets super windy. I mean, we live on the prairies so it's always windy, I hate the big wind gusts that sound like they're going to rip off the shingles and uproot trees.
How old are your other kids? 16 months
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? We have finally got DD to sleep at least 8 hrs by herself before she wants us to come get her. I am worried about a sleep regression when the baby gets here.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: Yesterday we showed DD a picture of the ultrasound and she immediately pointed to the baby which is surprising because they couldnt get a good picture of the baby.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? My favorite thing is how it feels small and we can make a small 10 minute commute if we want to go to dinner or something. Least favorite thing is the neighborhood I am wanting us to move in the same town just to a different neighborhood. There are not a lot of small children at all and not a lot of diversity.
How old are your other kids? DS turned 2 in June, will be about a month shy of 3 when this LO is born.
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? I mentioned potty training in a previous post, i would really like to get him out of diapers. and possibly out of his crib?
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: looking too add more love
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? favorite, no neighbors, least is the taxes, ugh. We live in illinois.
How old are your other kids? Viking turns 18 months tomorrow
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? We've settled into a very nice groove at the moment, which means everything is about to change. I know all STMs worry about this, but I am so madly in love with Viking, I just can't imagine falling for another kid like I have with him.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: My first is too heavy to wear comfortably, so I'm looking forward to wearing a new squish again.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? I live in Fort Wayne but spend all my time is in Huntington. My favorite is how the community looks after each other. Also, four seasons. My least favorite thing is how high the city utility bills are. And boy do I miss my mountains.
How old are your other kids? 6 and 8
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? I am wondering if my kids will be ok with this. They have a different father who they don't see anymore. They adore my SO but I just hope the baby brings us even closer together.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
I can't believe I will have a baby again. Excited for all of it!
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? We are moving soon. SO is building us a house... so that's pretty terrifying. A lot going on this year for us.
How old are your other kids? 2 1/2
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? We started potty training this weekend! That's all the challenges I can handle at the moment haha
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I'm excited to grow our family. I think DS will be a great big brother.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? I live south of Boston. I love the seasons changing, our passionate sports fans, and all the history MA has. My least favorite is traffic, way too many pot holes and the high cost of living.
How old are your other kids? 2.5
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? stressing about pt and having a hard time thinking about my current kid adjusting to not being the only anymore.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
I think once the adjustment period is over, T is going to be an awesome big brother. I can't wait to see then play together.
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live?
My favorite is the summers, proximity to the beaches and mountains, vacation spots and the city all at once.
My least favorite is winter, which seems to last forever. (I live in north central MA)
We also had to work on on getting rid of the pacifier. I waited until he felt solid with potty training to take it away. He only had it at naps, Night time and long car trips from the time he was 1 on, so it was pretty easy. We told him pacifiers are for babies and he’s a big boy who uses the potty now. It was actually really easy!
https://www.lucieslist.com/toddlerhood/the-two-day-method-potty-training/
Married June 2012
BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013
BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014
BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
The next day we did nap time and it was under an hour and thst night was only 30ish minutes with barely any crying.
You just cannot give in. It's hard, but they won't remember it.
DH still thanks me for not letting him call it off that first night. Life is much easier.
*my other son sent his binkys to a new baby on a balloon. We told him they were all inside the balloon and had one visible tied on the string. He sent them off for a new baby to use. (This was 1.5 years ago and we weren't expecting)
How old are your other kids? My daughter is 16 months old
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? When will my hair stop being such a disaster? So many layers, most of my hair is like 4 inches long, and I'm so scared to have it all fall out/break off again after this pregnancy!
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: Every time I see a picture of two little kids hugging I basically lose my shit. Even if they fight almost all the time, so excited to give them a buddy to grow up with!
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live? I love my city - just wish everyone else didn't love it so much too (Portland, OR)! Favorite part is having so many trails to run on just a few minutes from my house. Least favorite part is just traffic starting to get worse. I guess 8-9 months of grey skies is kind of a bummer, but I'm used to it.
10w1d
How old are your other kids?
16 month boy
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
DS has croup right now...it sucks but the nurses taught me what to do for him. Besides the cough, you'd never know he was sick though, the way he will NOT slow down!! Climbing on top of EVERYTHING....this exhausted momma needs a spa day.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
I am so glad my DS will have a friend to grow up with! I just had pregnancy confirmed yesterday and it's finally starting to sink in and I'm really happy with our timing!!
GTKY: what's you're favorite and least favorite thing about the place you live?
I live in Michigan and I literally love everything about it! All the seasons, all the lakes, the natural beauty and our bigger cities. It's really just an amazing place all around!