What No One Tells You About Having Two Under 2

The diapers. An unbelievable amount of diapers. We have two diaper pails and I empty them daily, but I still swear my house smells like urine.

Boogers and snot. An unbelievable amount of boogers and snot. A little less now that I've given up dairy, but still. Kleenex called to personally thank me for my patronage. (Not really, but they should).

Laundry. An unbelievable amount of laundry. The two of them combined weigh a total of 36lbs, and somehow, I still end doing a load every single day just to maintain. Someone needs to invent the Roomba for laundry folding.

They get hiccups at the same time. All the time.

Your oldest will all of a sudden use the words "My" and "Mine" on the regular. My Blanket! My Bottle! My mommy! My July 2013 copy of Runner's World Magazine! in response to their little sibling showing an infant-sized amount of attention to something or someone.

When one cries for more than 2 minutes, the other is going to start crying even harder. Especially in the car, when they know you can't escape.

There is no such thing as telling the older one: "We have to be quiet, sissy is sleeping." That is apparently code for PLEASE TALK LOUDER SO THAT SISSY WAKES UP!

You have to maximize every single minute of every day in order to stay sane. 

That overwhelming fear you had when you were pregnant that your heart doesn't have enough room to love two children equally? You finally realize it's total nonsense. Not only has your heart grown to a size you didn't know existed, but now you get to look at both of your children sitting together and realize that your entire world is complete. Because you could never have imagined a love this great, and you know nothing you could ever accomplish in this life could be more astonishing than these two precious miracles.

You look at your life daily and realize you wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Four-Fifths Update and the many ways in which I'm a bad mother

Do you ever have one of those moments where you're like "Holy crap, I've been so preoccupied with life that I have forgotten this major thing that's coming up???"

For me, that "thing" is the realization that, at almost 32 weeks, I am 4/5ths of the way through my pregnancy. Meaning, I'm about to have another baby in 8 weeks. 

Trying to let that sink in. 

Because all of my thoughts/feelings/anxieties have been consumed by this whole house selling/buying process, and all of my remaining time and attention goes to Emerson, I honestly feel like a bad mom. 

I am solemnly swearing, though, that once this baby girl gets here, she will get 100% of me. 100% is a relative term when you have two kids under the age of 2, but somehow I am going to defy the laws of math and give 100% of my attention to both girls. And Jon. 

I feel like I've barely talked about my pregnancy so far, so I thought I'd provide a quick update on how things are going:

Weight gain: Yeah.... About that. It's more than a little. However, I weigh 20 lbs less right now than I did when I was 32 weeks pregnant with Emerson, so that counts for something right? The silver lining is that I have lost all the baby weight before, so I know I can do it again.

Baby's weight: She measured at 4lbs on Monday! No wonder she feels so big - she is!!!

Food cravings: Peanut butter and spaghetti. Though not together. But should they be???

Energy: After the blissful honeymoon period known as the second trimester, I am starting to get tired again. It's usually worst right after lunch and then around 5:00. I have a separate reserve of energy that is dedicated to Emerson and cleaning, and then whatever is left goes to the television. I've worked out once in the last two months. ONCE. This is the longest I've ever gone without working out since I was a teenager. It's awful. But it's life. I'm burning calories by pinning post-pregnancy workouts and healthy recipes on Pinterest.

Favorite thing about being pregnant: Definitely feeling her move. She is getting so strong! Also, at my  ultrasound on Monday, even though obviously it's hard to tell for sure, I swear she looked just like Emerson! Perfect little round head and face, button nose, and legs that measured 2 weeks ahead (just like her sister). She was smacking her lips and grabbing her toes and I just wanted her to be here right now (but keep cooking sweetheart, mommy will wait until you're good and ready).

Looking forward to: Not having to pee every time I stand up. And sleeping in our king bed again (though this is a house problem, not a pregnancy problem) but I feel like I slept better when pregnant with E because I had more space for my whale-like form.

And honestly, as crazy as this sounds, I'm looking forward to giving birth again. I know right?!? There is just nothing in this world that compares to the moment when you see your beautiful baby for the first time. It makes the whole 9 month journey, from beginning to end, seem like the greatest miracle in the world.

Names: I will honestly tell you that not only do we NOT have a name for this baby, we don't even have any contenders. We can't agree on any one name, so it's most likely going to be an 11th hour decision. Or whoever caves first. 

Things left to buy: Everyone tells you "Oh, you're having another girl, so you don't need anything!" Whoever started this rumor is a LIAR. Yes, we are good to go on most clothing, but we would have been fine regardless because for the first 3 months they only wear PJs anyway. But there are still PLENTY of other things that come along with having 2 under 2 that no one told me about. I have most things picked out, I just have to take the plunge and whip out the old Amazon credit card. I am wary of making a ton of purchases right now though since a) we're (hopefully) going to be signing a mortgage contract here shortly and b) I don't want to buy a bunch of stuff and then have to move all that stuff, I'd rather just have it delivered to our new house.

Here's my list of leftover items. I'll attach links to each of these items, in case one of you 39 random readers from Germany want to send us a care package.

• Second crib: Emerson is way too little for a big girl bed, so she will stay in her crib. We bought this one in white, and it's still in the box disassembled because we have no idea where we'll be living come May 12th. No pressure.
• Crib mattress. The poor thing doesn't even have a mattress yet. I'm a terrible mother.
• Crib bedding. Haven't finalize color scheme yet, but I'm leaning toward white or gray.
• Second camera for our monitor so we can pan between rooms
• Another Pack N Play, since Emerson still uses her at daycare
• Furniture. A dresser and changing table at minimum.
• Glider. I was just going to use Emerson's, but we sit in it every night to read her stories, so I can't take that away. Then I really would be a terrible mother.
• Double stroller. When I get up the nerve to take them both out in public at the same time. 
• Car Seat. Emerson is in a convertible car seat now, so sister can just use hers. Sweet! We'll need a second convertible seat when she's a year old, but we have plenty of time for that.
• White noise machine. Em still sleeps with hers, and white noise is one of the most essential baby items, ever. If you like sleep that is.

So that's pregnancy in a nutshell. I can't believe it's so soon - 58 days and she'll be here! And hopefully she doesn't preemptively hate me for any of the aforementioned ways in which I fail as a parent.

130 days...

I have 130 days to:

• Learn how to parent 2 children under the age of 2
• Control my weight gain (no more Christmas cookies, ever)
• Decide on the perfect name for our baby girl (taking suggestions now, but if you read about how many criteria I have, you'll see I'm certifiably nuts)
• Snuggle my sweet Emerson and soak in the last moments of her as an "only" child
• Psyche myself up for giving birth again. Well, the recovery afterward at least. THAT was a picnic I would rather not re-visit.
• Take my glucose test. BARF. 
• Take a babymoon weekend with Jon
• Sell our house
• Buy a new house
• Decorate a new nursery
• Enjoy my sleep while I can
• Pray that new baby is as good of a sleeper as Emerson

Can I do it?!?!?!

Baby #2 Must Have Items

One of the benefits to having a second baby so close in age to the first is that you "have everything." The knowledge, the wisdom, the experience, and tons of baby crap that you can recycle and use with your second child. 

It feels like I just put some baby stuff away (Boppy, Rock N Play, baby bath tub, etc.) and now we'll be dragging it all back out in just a few short months. Though we do have alot of the essentials, there are still some things we'll need to purchase before May. Not everything is absolutely critical, but it would sure make my life easier! And life with 2under2 is better when it's easy, right??

Baby #2 Must Have Items by audra5909 on Polyvore

1. Summer Infant BabyTouch Digital Color Video Monitor

We bought this monitor with Emerson and we LOVE it! I can stalk watch her all night long, and it's clear as day. For baby #2, we can buy just the camera and it will sync with our current monitor, and we can pan their rooms all night long. Yay for concurrent baby stalking watching!

2. Baby K'tan Baby Carrier

We bought a Baby Bjorn for Emerson and I used it all of 2 times. She was such a tiny baby and I just did not feel like she was secure in it at the beginning. But everything I read about having 2 kiddos is that you MUST have a baby carrier if you want to accomplish anything, and the K'Tan looks so cozy that I think we'll give it a try!

3. 2-Pack Blankie Buddy Set by Vitamins Baby

I plan to write an entire post about Emerson's obsession with her "baby." She has a ladybug blankie buddy and let's just say if she had to choose between eating and having her baby right next to her, she'd pick the baby. It's that serious. But I do credit this little thing as the reason why Emerson sleeps so well at night - she's got a friend keeping her company. It's so so soft and lightweight that I don't need to worry about it being "breathable" when the baby is younger. What I will do different with baby #2 though is buy more than one (unlike what we have for Emerson). Big mistake on my part. Big. Huge.

4. DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib

This crib seemed to have the best compromise between style, reviews and price. I bought it on Amazon on Black Friday, but after trolling nursery ideas of Pinterest, I have since exchanged the brown one for a white one. All the adorable nurseries have white cribs, and all of a sudden a brown crib looked hideous. I have my priorities straight. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime and free shipping!

5. Joovy Scooter X2 Double Stroller, Black
My sister, who has 7 children, recommends Joovy for their double strollers over any other brand, so I am absolutely taking her advice. This one has great reviews as well. Since B2 is due in May, I see many, many walks outside with my little ones next summer.  

6. JJ Cole Diapers and Wipes Pod

Am I the only mom out there that HATES carrying a diaper bag? Ever since I discovered the clutch, I rarely carry a purse anymore, so carrying a diaper bag feels like carrying ten gallons of paint. Therefore, I need to invest in one of these cute little pods for quick trips out and about.   No need to pack for an entire night away when you're just going to Target. Am I right?

7. Gerber First Essentials Soft Center Latex Pacifier
Don't get me wrong, I still love the Wubbanub. However, at $12.99 a pop, I'm going to try a different approach with B2. These pacifiers came highly recommended and are less than $3. Emerson never took a pacifier past 6 months (which I am grateful for now) but we'll see if new baby is a fan or not.

8. Conair SU7 Sound Therapy and Relaxation Clock Radio
White noise. Critical. The end.

9. Graco Element Pack N Play
We'll need a second PNP for trips and visits, since Emerson will still be too little to go in a regular bed. We have a Graco one now and I'm happy with it (though assembling the thing takes more finesse than I possess usually).

 

Moms to 2+... am I missing anything??

THANK YOU!

Wow.

I am so touched by all of the comments, Facebook messages, texts, and emails regarding our big news yesterday. I truly have the greatest family, friends, and blog friends a girl could ask for.

I also got quite a few questions, so let me try and answer some of them.

Yes, we are indeed pregnant :)

My official due date is May 12, 2013. Three days from our anniversary, and 2 days from my birthday. You see, in our family we like to cram as many life-changing events as possible into the same week. Hence why Emerson was due on Christmas and 3 days after Jon's birthday. But she was 2 weeks early... maybe her sibling will be too???

They will be 17 months apart. People either have one of two reactions to this: One is "Wow, that's so great, they'll be close in age!" or the other "Wow, good luck with that!"

Listen here. Am I terrified of having two under 2?? Absolutely. Do I have any doubt that Jon and I can handle it? Not one. When you've been through what we've been through, things that are a big deal for some are no sweat for us. And as I've learned with Emerson, every "phase" is over so quickly. I know I'll get zero sleep for awhile, and it will be hard at times, but no one signs up for parenting thinking it's going to be a piece of cake. And I will gladly take two babies in diapers if it means that those babies are healthy, happy and in my arms.

"Was this planned?" Ugh. If I had a dollar for every time I was asked THAT awkward question, I'd have... alot of dollars. Please, do me a favor and never ask someone that. If they are telling you they are pregnant, clearly they are having a baby, and therefore whether it was "planned" or not, that baby is on the way, and the only thing you should say is "Congratulations!" Trust me.

"How are you feeling??" Well, frankly, for the past 12 weeks I've felt like garbage sauce. HAHA. So very tired and just nauseous basically 24 hours a day. I am finally starting to feel normal again (REJOICE!) and though the nausea did kick my butt this time, it actually went by pretty fast. Let me just say that I have subsisted entirely on Asiago bagels, meatball subs, and spaghetti (not even whole grain spaghetti-gasp!). When this baby is born addicted to carbs, I will have no one to blame but myself.

But anyway, a few months ago I wrote this post about wanting baby #2. We knew we wanted more children, we just didn't know when the "right time" would be. Luckily, that decision was made for us. A month later, I peed on a stick, and here we are! :)

There was no worrying about getting pregnant. No timing, no test taking, no planned "married people time." I know that trying to get pregnant is very consuming and stressful for many couples (we've been there) and I am very grateful we didn't have to worry about it this time. It happened because it was supposed to happen.

The timing couldn't be better. I'll have the baby after school gets out, but I'll be back before the students get back. So the only time off work I'm missing is our slowest time of year. And I'll have the whole summer off with my two precious babies.

So far, all looks healthy and perfect with this little one. PLEASE GOD take care of this little one for the next 25 weeks.

The anxiety this time around has been much better than it was with Emerson. But I still have my panic moments, and my sleepless nights. I probably won't relax until I pass the 21 week milestone, and even then, let's be honest, until he/she is in my arms.

But this baby, just like Emerson, deserves as much love, attention, and positive energy as I can give. I am treating this pregnancy like it will be my last. You just never know. So instead of freaking out all the time, I want to enjoy every moment, just like I did with Jack and Emerson.

Thanks again for all the well wishes - here we go!!!!

Emerson has been keeping a secret from you...

With all of the craziness of daddy leaving, hitting her head on a Lego, and preparing for Thanksgiving next week, Emerson has been a little preoccupied lately.

But she feels like it's finally time to come clean....

She's been keeping a secret from you.

A big one.

An exciting one.

She held out as long as she could.

But she just can't hold it in anymore.

There. She feels better now :-)