16 June 2010

Going from 1 to 2.

When I first got pregnant, I was scared to death about having a newborn and a toddler to take care of. I've heard horror stories about the difficulties of going from 1 to 2 kids, so it was hard to focus on anything BUT that.

Now that I've been a mom of 2 for three whole weeks, I can honestly say...

It's much easier to go from 1 to 2 than it is to go from 0 to 1.
Emotionally.

When I had Carter, I remember sitting on my living room couch on my second day home from the hospital, rocking him in my arms as he slept, and thinking oh. my. goodness... what have I done? My entire world has just changed in a single day. In a single moment.

Changed for the better, of course... but my life was just so... different. Gone were the days of leaving the house on time, enjoying carefree BBQ's and parties without taking care of a baby, going out to spontaneous dinners with my husband, and SLEEP.

There's nothing anyone can do to prepare themselves for that change. You know it's going to happen. You think you're ready for it. Then you bring your baby home and it hits you.

Life, as you know it, will never be the same.

However, when I had Brynn and brought her home I didn't have that "oh my goodness" moment. I've been through it before. Has my life changed? Hell yes. But it's not as big of a change as when I had Carter. It's almost like... "well, what's one more?" =)

I'm not nervous at all, I know exactly what she needs and how to take care of her. I know that sleep deprivation comes with the territory and I'm still amazed at how well I can function on so little sleep.

With all that said, now that I've been a mom of 2 for three whole weeks, I can also honestly say...

It's much harder to go from 1 to 2 then it is to go from 0 to 1.
Physically.

My life is crazy right now. After 3 weeks of being home with both kids, I can tell you that it's the hardest job in the world. There are zero breaks. You don't sleep all night and then you can't even sit down during the day. If one kid doesn't need you, then you better believe that the other one does.

Lunch is the hardest part of my day, and that's usually because I have to make at least 2-3 lunches for Carter before he decides to actually eat one of them. I've learned to start that process earlier so that I don't find myself feeding a baby while also taking chicken nuggets out of a burning hot oven at the same time.

In the afternoons, during Carter's nap time, I usually get about an hour everyday when both kids are sleeping. At the same time. And I don't know what to do with myself. I think most moms would rest or nap during that time, but I'm not a napper. I use that time to wash bottles, clean the house, do laundry, watch Ellen, ya know... the important stuff.

Coffee is my BFF.

So is wine.

And, although it is difficult to take care of a toddler and a newborn, it's still not as difficult as I anticipated. As long as you know you're going to be running around from morning til night, then it's actually kind of... fun. I get to spend all day with my two beautiful babies. I love every minute of the craziness.

And, let's not forget about the fact that the craziness has helped me get back under my pre-pregnancy weight just 10 days after having Brynn. I'll take that any day of the week. =)

post signature

12 comments:

kaley said...

THANK YOU for that post. my husband and i are somewhat trying for our second baby and i have those 'second baby' fears EVERY DAY! part of me knows that i will adjust accordingly once the time comes but the other part is shear panic of TWO babies. not to mention we aren't 100% sure if i will be able to stay home so the thought of having two kids, plus a full time job, plus two daycare payments scares the crap out of me!! but, it's inspiring to read about other moms daily struggle with one, now two kids :)

Brittainy Barnes said...

What really hit this post home was the fact that it was uploaded at 7am... I think that just shows you that while normal people are either at work or sleeping, Mom's are using that time to update blogs.

I have a one-week old now, and I can honestly say that I had the same "OMG" moment...then burst into tears over how god damn adorable he is, and how lucky I am to have him.

MrsKBJ said...

I had that same OMG feeling when I had Madison!! :O) I was super nervous about getting pregnant again and having number 2 right now! I feel better after reading this. I think I am ready to try someime this year :O) Thank you for this blog post!! I am so glad we are blog buds!! :O)
Kelly

Kristie said...

What's one more ... that's what my MIL said to me when I found out I was preggo with #2 (they're 10.5 months apart - have i told you that already??) and that's what i said to hubbs when we found out we were having #3 (six years behind #2)!! LOL = Coffee is my friend too. I'm more partial to beer and champagne. Go figure - two extremes, right? Words of advice: Don't fall asleep on the potty! You can fall and hurt yourself.

Paige said...

I have to admit, going from 1 to 2 was EXTREMELY difficult for me. My 2nd was a very fussy baby, and then my very active 2 year old already at home and a husband who was preparing to leave for Iraq again. I am still sad that it was not the transistion that I would have loved. But now 2 1/2 years later, I am SO glad to have both of my girls.

sara said...

I hope I get to find out!! My parents always said the only hard one was #3 when they got outnumbered. :) They actually have said #4 (me) helped even things out some. So glad you're having an easy transition!

Meg said...

Thank you for posting this!
My husband and I are thinking about trying for a second and I freak out.. "can I handle two?!" I guess I need to just go into knowing that life is going to be super crazy!

Are you nursing?

I'm not a napper too, but I think with the second I might be, I'm still tired from my first and he's 1 1/2! haha

Jeannie said...

Thank you so much for writing this. Now, that Henry is just about one, we are starting to think about baby #2 and the thought scares me to death. I know I want to have more babies; and we will. Reading this only helps me realize that I CAN DO IT. It's going to be hard, but I can do it.

Anonymous said...

You nailed it Jennie! I feel EXACTLY the same way. I am handling things much better emotionally this time around. Obviously, I'm having some physical issues when it comes to BF but the transition to two was pretty darn smooth. Don't tell my husband but I think I could handle another one. Easy Peasy ;)

Anonymous said...

Great post!! And very reassuring. Chad and I are both ready for #2, but I do have freakout moments thinking of caring for two babies when one is such a full time job!

Samantha said...

I'm expecting #2 in October and although I am SOO excited, I do get a little nervous sometimes! THis post makes me feel better ! :) I need to learn to like coffee!

The Michalski Five said...

hey mommma!! I love catching up on your blog!!

So if going from 1 to 2 is doable...I can handle going from 1 to 3? lol I will be college slim in a few short weeks! hehe!!

so glad you are adjusting well!! it gives me hope because I am getting scared :-P

© jenni from the blog, All Rights Reserved.

Designed by A Grande Life