- Being at home with two babies is actually better than I thought it would be. I was very nervous the first time I was all by myself with both of them. The challenges are very different than I imagined they would be. The hardest part is Jackson being stuck in the house and bored. It being winter makes it hard to go outside most days which is something I did not have to worry about when Jackson was born in September. Some days Jackson is just frustrated with all his toys and videos and everything. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to make being in the house for these 6 weeks more interesting and educational for
- Surprisingly, he is not jealous of Abigail at all right now. I thought that he would be really jealous of her but all he wants to do is love on Abigail. He does not like that his schedule has changed though. Most days, however,
- Also, I find myself always thinking about what they need and it makes it hard for me to think straight. I forgot to change
- Pray for
- I am still making myself find time to enjoy life (have some “fun” time every day).I am going to the store still using coupons (I used 25 the other day) and staying connected to people through blog and facebook while I am feeding her. I try to not let myself get on the computer until I have read my Bible and spent time with God through prayer. I will get crazy stressed if I do not spend time with my Savior.
- If you want to know what I used coupons for let me know and I will post that. I know it is strange but couponing and saving us money is very fun for me. But, I dropped $50 on diapers and wipes with my last Walmart purchase and I have even thought about going to cloth diapers but our washing machine is running pretty much all day as it is. I used coupons for the diapers. Does anyone have any more advice on how to cut down on the diaper and wipe cost? The good thing is that I know that this phase of going through so many diapers will not last forever. She goes through about 7 or 8 a day and
- It is hard to even get laundry done by myself during the day with two babies, however, and I really look forward to Charlie being home so I can actually get something done. Again, I know it will not be like this forever and I am trying my best just to enjoy my babies. I have to fight not not make my day just a list of things to try to get done. I try to listen to my ipod while washing the insane amount of clothes that need to be washed right now. In just a few short months, she will not spit up on 3 different outfits a day hopefully.
- I will be writing about how our schedule looks soon, so be on the look out!
*Funny Story Added Later
1 pm is always one of the craziest times of the day. I change Jackson's diaper around that time (and he is getting tired), and Abigail usually likes to eat during this time. On one particular day, Millie Boo (the dog) was barking to come inside, I had just changed Jackson's diaper and he was crying for some reason that was unknown to me, and Abigail was wailing because she was hungry and had a poopie diaper. I got the dog in, and gave Jackson a moon pie to make him calm down. He was so stunned that I gave him such a glorious treat (which does not happen often). He calmed down and she got fed as soon as I could get the bottle ready. Sometimes they all three melt down at the same time and it is crazy, but it all ends up working out somehow. And yes, I have a high maintenance dog who seems like at least a half of a child most days. The first day by myself with all of them, Millie Boo got into more trouble then either of my babies (by eating Jackson's lunch and barking like crazy during nap time)
It has been easy on me since we had Abigail during the holiday season so Charlie has been able to be home a lot. That has been another huge blessing. Thie week will be my first entire week with both of my babies at home, since Charlie took his 1 week of vacation he had left the week Abigail was born and then came Christmas and New Years.
7 comments:
Emily-
What an encouraging post! I am so glad to hear that you are 'surviving' with two. People often ask me how I am doing with two at home, and my response is "crazy, but good." And yet, when I think about it, it has not been difficult transition at all. It is not often even crazy, though it has its moments. I think I respond like that because PEOPLE expect to hear it. God gives us great grace, and my time at home with two has not been bad at all! G adjusted to her little brother very easily, and like Jackson is seldom jealous. Now that B is 3 months old, I feel like I should be a pro at this! :-)
My advice on a couple of things: Jackson will be a little stir crazy at times, but as Abigail settles into more of a routine, you can help him with that. Try switching up his activities often--playing in his room, watching a video, coloring, playing with toys in the living room, etc. I know it helps G to get outside some. That was hard when B was really little, but as he got more regular with his sleep, I could leave him in his crib and chase G around the yard some just to run off steam.
Also remember that the most important thing is that laundry gets WASHED! It doesn't have to be folded or put away if there is no time--it just has to be clean:-) I am notorious for keeping clean laundry in our laundry basket until I need to use it again to haul our dirties around.
As for diapers and wipes, babycheapskate.com tells you which stores offer diapers for the cheapest each week. Costco's generic brand diapers are actually pretty good, and really cheap. You can make your own diaper wipes from paper towels, and that saves a lot of money on wipes. And of course, cloth diapers are great. I have used cloth diapers on Georgia for awhile (I took a break leading up to the holidays) and have had great success. It pains me to pay for diapers now!
Okay, this is a really long post, but I would love to hear more about your couponing. Lots of love and prayers headed your way, Emily!
I recommend cloth, but diapers.com is supposed to be the best deal around for disposables
Hi, Emily!
I am glad that you are doing well with two. My friend with 3 small children has a daily planned schedule of what they will do. She has a coloring/play-doh/craft time, play in their room time, play outside time (this is short during the winter...but even if you can let him run around a few minutes while Abigail is napping, it would probably help), and a short video time. She also builds in, of course, meal, snack, and nap times. My friend also only has a few toys out at a time and "hides" others. When she rotates the toys and brings out the "hidden" ones, it's as if the kids have something new to play with. Samuel also loved (and still loves) song time. If you can do some songs with movement (hokey pokey, wheels on the bus, etc.), that would give him some exercise, too! The songs would probably entertain Abigail as well.
Samuel went through a "fit" phase between 2 and 3 as well. It will get better as Jackson matures. Hang in there!
I am so glad to hear you are doing so well! I knew you were nervous about having two. The first 12 weeks with a newborn are the hardest even after having more than two. After the first 12 weeks, it is easier to find a routine that works for you. Hang in there and for right now, don't sweat the small stuff. Having more than one kid forces you to relax a bit about some things. (At least it did for me.)
Getting Jackson out of the house at this age can be as simple as a quick trip to the mall. Walk around a bit, stop for a pretzel or whatever and head home. Or a trip to the library, ours has story hours. Also, you can rotate his toys. Separate them and rotate them every week. Just have a box or something in the garage that you keep toys in and rotate them through every so often. This keeps the toys from becoming old fast. You can also visit www.preschoolersandpeace.com She is a mom of eight kids and she has wonderful ideas for how to keep little ones happy. I have heard her speak and she is awesome.
I also, have mine doing stuff along side me throughout the day. You can have Jackson load and unload the dryer. Or, give him a baby wipe and have him clean the base boards. My kids love doing stuff like that and it keeps them busy and they love being helpers.
As for diaper advice, I just use coupons and suck it up. We have to use the expensive Pampers with Baby G, she is allergic to other brands and after wasting money on the second cheaper brand we bought, we gave up.
Blessings to you and your family this year. =)
White Cloud diapers sold at walmart for $6.97 for 40+ diapers and they are GOOD!!! Infant and toddler....I have used them for over 2 years now for 2 babies!!! Their wipes are also cheap, but I am not picky about my wipes...I second Leah on making them. I have done that and was very pleased!! Hope this helps!!
PS
Luke went through a "bored" stage, and the past few weeks his imagination has really entertained him, and he seems to "play" with things for longer stretches....I experienced the same thing with him that you are with Jackson!! :)
YOur doing great!! What an awesome Mommy you are!! It's not always easy but it's totally worth all the stress!! Nothing is more of a blessing then our Childen!! (Even when their two!!). I always have to remind myself "This too shall pass!!" :)
Wow, it is so great to hear from everyone again!
Leah-
Thank you so much for your encouraging words!. I usually just get Abigail clothes washed and put on top of her dresser never get in her dresser haha. I have not heard of that website for diapers so I cannot wait to check it out. I will hopefully do a blog post at the end of the week on my couponing and all the great deals CVS has this week and what I ended up buying at CVS. They have some really great money making deals this week which I am excited about.
Meritt-
Thank you so much for all the great advice! Yall all reminded me that I need to have a fun schedule for Jackson.
Mommy Reg-
Thank you so much for recommending www.preschoolersandpeace.com. I loved how she recommended a schedule for toy time: Monday- blocks and cars Tuesday- Wikkie Sticks, Wednesday-puzzles, Thursday-farm, Friday-coloring. I know I do not need for him to have access to all his toys everyday or they lose their excitement. It is one of the best sites I have ever seen. I will have to e-mail you is there a 2 year old homescholling curriculum you would recommend. Do any of the good ones have videos?
Shannon-
It is great to hear from you. I also use Walmart diapers for Jackson during the day and at night I use the Huggies since we have had some accidents at night. It is good to hear that other moms have struggled with the same issues with their two year old little boys.
Post a Comment