I’ve been a mum of 2 for all of 8 weeks. Sounds like nothing but feels like forever!
Honestly at the moment, I love it. It’s not easy. I have sweet FA time it feels and who is my hubby? I forget as we are tag teaming so much. But I love having two gorgeous girls. I love mat leave and I’m trying to make the most of my teeny one whilst she is teeny.
These posts are common (sorry) but being a mum of two is so different to those first few weeks with one, where everything is new and crazy.
These are my truths.
- You definitely have enough love in your heart for two. I did worry a little about loving little Piglet as much as the gremlin. How will I be able to? However, as soon as Piglet was in my arms I was besotted. Still am.
- Your newborn is EASY! They eat, sleep and poo. Your toddler on the other hand answers back, needs their bum wiping, never listens, wants to play, needs actual food and tries every trick in the book to avoid sleep! Why did I not know this when the gremlin was a newborn?
- You learn you are more patient than you ever thought. When you have a screaming newborn and your toddler is climbing all over them and you and you want to explode….you don’t (well not every time). You can’t or you would be screaming at the toddler ALL THE TIME
- You don’t care about half the rubbish you did first time around. I was a black and white no to co sleeping but now if Piglet has an early morning feed I just let her sleep with me and hubby isn’t disturbed. I need sleep; I’m a better person. I don’t care about cuddling all the time, baby wearing…all the things I was worried about last time. I’m making the most of this little munch.
- You have no time (I alluded to this earlier). With a newborn not sleeping until 10pm, it is full on from dawn till dusk. I haven’t straightened my hair since my baby shower. I blog on my phone and luckily hubby works from home, so I can slot the gym early morning. We are hoping to start Operation “Piglet to bed earlier” very soon!!
- Online food shopping is a must and is awesome. No way am I taking the pair of them for a mid shop breast feed with the gremlin in tow. Just no.
- I can clean a toilet in a 5 minute window.
- Bubba no 2 will rarely get weighed. The health visitor just popped in and I’d not gone since she last came (oops!)
- Number 2 will just fit in. There are less worries about taking them out. If we want to eat out we’re going. If you have to pick the first up, the second just tags along. You have to entertain that toddler TRUST ME!!!
- You don’t feel bad about keeping your first in nursery. I get two days a week as the gremlin gets her free child care now. That time with the second is so needed and lovely, as you wouldn’t see them. Poor Piglet sits in her bouncer a lot. A toddler free day for cuddles on the sofa – tick. House work – sod off.
It’s so funny. You really think having just the one is so hard but having two…you just adapt and in a way get on with it! It’s different and challenging but really fun. I feel I have already been tested to my limits so I reckon I’m going to have to stretch my limits a bit further.
How about you? Anything you can add?
I’m impressed you’ve cleaned the toilet ha ha! You’re so right… baby just has to fit in and life goes on. You’re a pro this time! I think it steps up a gear when baby gets mobile, but nothing you can’t handle 😉 #marvmondays
My first is in school, he started just before The Girl was born. So weekdays were lovely. Weekends are harder for me, because my husband works all day both days. But we manage. It is in someways harder now she moves and naps a lot less! But then The Boy plays on his own in his room a lot more. It all balances out and you find a way!
#marvmondays
Love this. I am the master of multitasking!! I’m definitely more relaxed too than I was when Ella was a baby!! Thanks for joining us for #marvmondays
Haha, I echo all you have said. Its blumin hard work but in some respects easier than when you have your first. I’m so much more laid back with my second on matters such as co-sleeping and going out than I was with my first.
#MarvMondays
I do think if I have another baby that I’ll not care about stupid things as much as I did when Evie was a newborn, however, it will also be Adam’s first and I suppose I have to let him have some say! Probably wont bother about the weighing thing that much either, I never took Evie unless the HV came to me! #MarvMondays
I love this! It’s very reassuring for when we decide to have no.2 – yes it will be hard, but we will cope. I have to say we are very relaxed with no.1 with regards to co-sleeping, baby-wearing, cuddles etc and I’m by no means house proud, so I’m confident that no.2 will slip right in to place when they need to! Sounds like you have it nicely figured out 🙂 #MarvMondays
I nodded my head in agreement to nearly every one of these! Especially about the toddler being harder work! I’ve just had my third baby 5 weeks ago and just the other day I was breastfeeding the baby in one arm and wiping my 3 year old bum with the other hand! I totally felt like I was winning at parenting that day haha! #MarvMondays
I hope to have about the same age gap as you have so my fingers are crossed that I can manage it all too. My mind can’t even begin to imagine the chaos so i’m pushing it to the back of my mind for now 🙂 #marvmondays
Yes a great list here. I found having two soooo much harder than one, but I also think I was a better parent the second time round too because I was less black and white about things. Now my kids are 2 and 5, and they love playing together which is the most wonderful thing to watch 🙂 #MarvMondays
Nodded away through all this. I was out a date about just 3days after my second baby was born as Leo was going stir crazy stuck in the house so we just wanted to get back to normal as soon as possible so he didn’t start climbing the walls! It is hard a lot of the time but I absolutely love having 2. You’re doing a fab job hun xx #marvmondays
I’m impressed you found 5 minutes to clean the toilet – thats more than I manage haha. I obviously only have my piglet, but my sisters have told me I have the patience of a saint with my nephews pawing at, and generally mauling Piglet. They mean no harm! They just want to be near him haha #marvmondays
Back with #bestandworst 🙂
I’ve heard so many say the second child is easier and I’m sure it’s because you just have to get on with things! Every time I’ve discussed it with friends we agree how indulgent you are with your first! Congratulations on the new addition, sounds like you’re getting along just fine!
ps. congratulations on finding the time to clean the toilet! It’s always bottom of my to do list!!
#marvmondays
Indeed hun indeed! Interesting what you find that you are mega quick at doing, ha! Popping over from #marvmondays
I have a 19 month old and a 4 month old and it’s definitely tiring. They’re so easy during the day and keep themselves entertained but I also don’t have a single minute to myself in a day, and it’s hard. The constant feel that you’re on the go even when you’re sat down doing nothing at all is pretty tough! #MarvMondays
Two gets even easier when they get older! Mine are 4 and 6 and spend hours entertaining each other and playing together – some days they barely talk to me as they are so busy playing and I get lots of time to get on with chores! It’s lovely! #marvmondays
I worry about the not having enough love thing if I have a second. And I already feel like I have no time so I’ll probably be in negative time. #marvmondays
I had my daughter when my son was 3. I can relate so much. Now, Isaac is 5 in a few weeks and Sofia will be 2 next February.
I would add when your second can toddle, they will flit between following you and their older bro/sis. Let them. If it gives you a minute or two just take it. Your older child is happy to oblige.. most of the time
Back again for #bestandworst xx
No experience with 2 i’m afraid, I still just have the 1 toddler to run after day after day…I don’t know how I’d cope with another one! As you said though, they just fit in I suppose! Sounds like you’re doing an amazing job, and well done for fitting the gym in – wow! #bestandworst
I have two, with less then year appart, so it was really challenging at the beginning, but somehow you just manage. If somone told you, what you’ll be trough and the things you will have to endure and do, I don’t think we would ever believe we are capable of doing all that!;) So, yes, streching your limits, not worry as much and patience;)
#bestandworst
I guess you manage and it is different the second time around. Love reading these from you as I only have C 🙂
#bestandworst
Nadia – Scandimummy x
Haha, I’d forgotten about all of this, but you are absolutely spot on. I also found Miss D loved her baby sister until she reached an age when she could move about and steal her toys or mess up her games. #bestandworst x
Spot on! Your second time round is so much different to your first. I guess you learn what’s important. I have two girls too, age 4 and 20 months (so similar to your gap) and I can honestly say that we couldn’t be happier (snot stains and all!) #bestandworst
I really worried about being able to love two as much as I love my first before my littlest was born. I needn’t have worried at all – it just happens!
#BestandWorst
You hit the nail on the head. You are doing beautifully!
#runjumpscrap
I know what you mean about newborns being easy. It’s hilarious because when my eldest was born I thought “this is the hardest thing I have ever done”, when my youngest was born I was like “OMG my 4 year old is the hardest thing ever”. If they have colic or are excessively bad sleepers I get that it’s worse, but I definitely found caring for a small child so much easier this time.
Although she hasn’t really slept for days and I didn’t have to go in to my 5 year old last night when she finally went to sleep so I’m pretty torn about who is harder work at the moment.
#bestandworst
Baby number two is due any day now and this has given me hope! I can’t remember what I did with a newborn last time. Sat around and watched a lot of Netflix I think 😉 something tells me it’ll be different this time round … sounds like you’re doing a fab job x
It sounds like you have everything under control all ready to be fair. Meanwhile my kids are 4.5 and nearly 3 and I still struggle most days but it’s much better now that my 4 year old is in school.
(Unhinged mummy stopping by for #best and worst). Thanks for hosting 🙂
I went for the big age gap so that my first was in school but then ended up with twins… haha, so much for my plan! I do miss that one to one you get with your first, so much tougher when you have another (or two!) #bestandworst
Yes yes yes to all of the above. I was so attentive and concerned about everything with my first, my poor littlest one just got randomly dragged around. I remember weaning with The Girl – I literally had a food chart and ticked and dated things as she had tried them. With The Boy I was more “Is it food? Yes then, he can have it!” The good thing with the kind of age gap we both have, is that as The Gremlin gets older she will gradually get a bit less demanding, just as Piglet starts to come into her own and starts setting her own agenda a bit more. It all balances out in the long run. (Or so far has anyway… who knows what’s around the corner haha). xx #bestandworst
I think you worry far less with your second, and their firsts are never quite as exciting as they were the first time round! Lewis’s baby book was filled in so lovingly and every moment documented, with Eva there was none of that! And by the time you get to baby number five your soul mission for the day is to simply survive until bedtime! #bestandworst
Hoping to make a baby #2 happen. I remember having a conversation with my cousin when she was having her 2nd and this was one of her concerns as well. Of course, that squashed itself and now having had her third she says it’s beyond her expectation what her heart allows her to feel =) #bestandworst
Funny what little things you learn when a baby comes … and even more funny what you learn when you have two! Glad everything is working out and you are finding time for yourself (at the gym) too. #bestandworst
I’m still in shock from baby one 17 months later. I can’t even imagine a second !! Well done on toilet cleaning!!! And congratulations on your new arrival. XX #bestandworst
You’ve done cleaning! That’s impressive 🙂 #bestandworst
It is amazing you adapt and change when you have two X #bestandworst
babies are so wonderful! your family is beautiful! #bestandworst
Great post! Round two is harder in some ways because, well, there’s two of them! But you also benefit from experience. You know what and what not to worry about. #bestandworst
Having two is definitely harder but so much fun great post thanks for hosting #bestandworst
The second one definitely has to just fit in around the oldests routine and you’re much more relaxed about all those do’s and don’ts. The most amazing part is seeing the sibling relationship develop though, so beautiful x
#Bestandworst
Laughing at the house work can sod off. I’m not a fan of housework either.#bestandworst
It’s so true that we just adapt to the challenges they present us. I also think the new stuff is always the most difficult. The first newborn is tough, but second is going to be easier because you’ve done it all before. Whereas that’s the time you start getting all the new stuff from the toddler! #Marvmondays
It’s when number two starts moving around by themselves that things get interesting! #bestandworst
YES YES YES! I am so much more relaxed this time so in turn enjoying it more. Baby number 2 definitely just slots in – poor bubbas. Some days are so tough with 2 but then some days are just amazing! #MarvMondays
Yes, it’s definitely with the second that you realise that babies are actually really easy and nowhere near as much work as they seemed first time once it is relative to a toddler! I was the same with co-sleeping – wouldn’t with first, but did with second as I had to be able to sleep and that was best way! #bestandworst
You are so right, baby two just slots in and the stresses you had first time just don’t seem to matter as much. I was adamant with my eldest we would never co sleep, but G is in our beds quite often and you know what, I love it! I love having him so close by. They’re not little for long, I’m making the most of it! xx
OMG, totally! I was so shocked by how different it is all the second time round. We’ve actually started putting the toddler to bed earlier in the last few weeks because firstly she needed it, and secondly we did too! We’ve actually just got a cleaner for the first time in the last few weeks too – something had to give and its literally been life changing. If you can get one, get one, I promise you its money well spent! Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Emily
Love this – I wrote a similar post not long ago. i think second time you are so much more chilled. Just wait until they are a bit older and start playing together. It will melt your heart! #marvmondays