Life with 2 under 2

My son turned 2 today. I’ve graduated from being a mom of 2 under 2, to 2 under 3... Yay me! Seriously, keeping boys alive is hard work, I deserve a pat on the back! Just this morning already he fell off of the recliner and almost busted his head on a dumbbell. Why are boys so reckless? Hopefully that's the extent of his dangerous shenanigans today. 

I've been reflecting on the past year, he and I have had a lot of changes in our life. We welcomed his new baby brother to the world, and we moved into a new house. They are both amazing changes but we are both still adjusting. In fact, we all are. I also am a bonus mom of two older children, and before my boys came into the world, it was just me and them. So if they wanted to get up and go to pool or beach, sure! 

I have them all summer & I had major anxiety when I was pregnant about how this summer would go. I didn’t want to bore the older kids to death because I knew we would Be home for the majority of the time, I would be recovering from my C-section, learning the new baby & getting back into the breastfeeding routine. How am I gonna to take care of everyone and keep everyone happy without having a nervous breakdown? Also, it’s summer it’s HOT, realistically I cannot take a newborn to the pool or leave unattended. The eldest helps with both babies but she’s 12 she’ll only focus on them for so long before she’s over it.

Now we have to think about the activity we want to do & usually the answer is no. I like to think I’m a Super Mom, but venturing out with 4 kids to do various activities alone, c’mon that’s a lot to handle! It’s hard enough going to the grocery store with everybody. So unless it’s been a group activity with other parents around this Summer we’ve all been pretty much indoors. There’s been a lot of screen time. We as moms feel guilty when there’s too much technology & not enough books & crafting... but some days Sanity > Entertainment.

With just moving into the house too we’ve been busy still working on things here in & around the house & yard. Hopefully soon we’ll be fire pit, water slide & kiddie pool ready! Thankfully we live in Myrtle Beach, where summer lasts until November!

The ages of our kids are 12, 8, 2 and three months. The older kids are pretty much doing similar activities now. They want to be on the go! Water parks, Theme Parks, all the parks!! The younger kids are not ready for their level of activities, obviously.

There’s definitely pros & cons to having the baby’s close together in age. The biggest Pro I think, is the fact My toddler and newborn will grow up together learning similar things around the same times. Like swimming, bikes, reading, school etc... I think it’ll make Mommin’ a lot easier when they are coloring and looking for bugs and being dirty superhero-ninja boys at the same time. Also they will always be in the same schools which to me is a huge relief. 

Another pro is I’m not out of my baby-zone meaning I’m still used to catering to my toddler’s every want & need, so it’s been overall easy to adjust to taking care of the newborn. My toddler has been sleeping through the night since about 1 year old. But during the day it’s his constant Whining & Pleading, and me deciphering & pleasing. So to have to add one more human to cater to has not been much of an adjustment. I would not have wanted to be starting over with all the newborn duties while I have a kid in school. It’s easier to just get this part all done now.

I’m tired. REM sleep is rare. There’s a lot Of crying... usually just them, sometimes me... I get all my steps in on my Fitbit because I don’t get to sit down more than 5 mins at a time. My coffee is ALWAYS cold. They aren’t on the same napping schedule yet. (Right now the toddler is asleep & the newborn is wide awake, at least he’s entertaining himself). I am 100% sure I can change a diaper with my eyes closed. Someone is ALWAYS touching me. 

There’s times when I’m nursing the baby and the toddler is laying on me or rubbing on me. Sometimes the toddler is mad because you’re focus is on the baby & you can’t handle their need right then. Queue the tantrum. Someone always wants something from me, always. Did I mention keeping the house clean & everyone fed too? HUGE SHOUT OUT To all the single moms out there doing this alone because if it wasn’t for my hubby & me being able to escape to my bathtub with a glass of wine & some Epsom salt sometimes, I’d pass out from exhaustion! 

Let me lighten this back up for y’all. It’s not all doom & gloom. There’s a ton of beauty in the chaos. Watching how they change each day. How the toddler is learning new things & catches on so quickly. How he loves his Momma and gives me random kisses. How the baby has started to smile at me now. How all the siblings love each other. 

We are in our forever home, which I didn’t have as a kid so being able to do that for my boys... It all melts my heart and I wouldn’t change a thing (well except the lack of sleep, I’d like some more of that). Having baby’s close together can be done. And it can be easy! It seems that from what I’ve witnessed with other Momma’s no matter when you have your baby you’re never truly prepared anyway. Each child is completely different. So If you want more than one I recommend having them close together. Get all the baby duties out the way within a few years, once they start to develop their own interest & grow into their personalities it gets easier. Also, when they can get their own snacks & turn their own tv on!

We will not be having anymore babies (Daddy & Momma wanna enjoy ourselves when we’re old & gray... hopefully in Aruba). Now the focus is on teaching these ones to be good humans who love God. If we can accomplish that it was all worth it!

Momma's Top 10 Newborn Must-haves!

Hello New Mommas, & Repeat Mommas! We all know from our searches there are hundreds of thousands of things that the Baby Market pushes on us as if we HAVE to have it or we are gonna fail at motherhood. So many options & the prices can be out of this world for something that will only be used a few months to a year!  This is my second baby & I am by no means no baby expert but this is what I know that I could not in anyway survive newborn life without! 

I'm not going to state the obvious, like diapers & wipes, because they're necessities. How many of what size you need all depends on how fast you're newborn is growing & how quickly they fill them up. Also you will learn what brand works the best for your baby. You know you're going to need bottle & pacifiers. What kind your baby takes also varies, I will suggest if you're breast feeding to only use a slow-flow nipple... forever, you want the baby to have to work to get the milk out of the bottle so that it's not easier than the boob. Or else they will favor bottle over boob cause the milk flows faster.

(The links below are affiliate links, which means if you click and purchase the suggested product, I would get a percentage of the sale.)

Momma's Top 10

• Swaddle Me Baby Swaddles Newborns are used to being tightly bound in your womb, coming out they like the same, some for a few weeks, some for months. The design of these are genius, a lot easier than using a swaddle blanket and perfecting your baby wrapping skills. This is a no-brainer and trust me that's what is needed for late night changes When you can just slide them in here feet first then close them up with the Velcro! It's a 3 step quick process! Make sure you get a small & large for the best fit.
• Burp Cloths Newborns love to spit up & drool, and you will want these slung over your shoulder 24/7. Go for the style you like most but these are long and fit right in the danger zone of the spit up when you're carrying baby! They have saved many of me & hubby's shirts!
• Activity Mat There are many kinds of activity mats. This one was awesome my son loved it, and still plays with the piano that's detachable! From about a month old I would lay him on it he'd look around at the colors of the mat and the toys hanging above, soon he was able to kick the piano and when he figured that out there was no stopping him! You can also do tummy-time on this mat.

• Boppy Pillow These Pillows are truly a necessity! I nurse and without this pillow it would've been back breaking! It supports your with different nursing positions. The baby can be propped up on it to sleep (with supervision), and can do tummy time on it. They're amazing!They're also well made I've machine washed mine a few times and it's still in good shape will be using it for the new baby!

• Bottle Warmer Even if you exclusively breastfeed there will be times you're not around your baby and a bottle is needed. Some husbands like to feed the baby as well because they feel like that's their way of bonding. These bottle warmers are so easy! You pour some water in, turn it on, sit bottle in and 30 secs or so the bottle is warm. No waiting for water to boil & you cannot microwave breast milk!
• Bottle Sterilizer I found this to be the easiest way to get the job done. YOU HAVE TO WASH & STERILIZE BABY BOTTLES & PARTS! I used bags, but this is just better cause I can fit more in it. You wash your bottles, pacifiers, pump parts, & put in here with the recommended amount of water & put in microwave. Easy.
• Automatic Baby Rocker When it's nap time during the day these are blessing! Spend the extra money to get one that rocks, bounces or vibrates automatically unless you plan to sit and bounce it with your foot for the whole nap! These are also great to just let the baby chill in during the day as well.

• Baby Carrier There are TONS of different types of carriers (wraps, ring slings etc...) you have to find what works for you. These by Infantino are great, quick to put baby in, comfortable & easy to use. Their price tag isn't a deal breaker either! It's so much easier sometimes to have quick access to a carrier if you're at the store or outdoor events. Strollers are not always the most convenient. I am all about ease & comfort.

• Teething Toys I love Nuby for their teething toys. And your baby will start teething before you even realize it.  There are all sorts to choose from & their prices are amazing. My son really loved these keys easy to clean & freeze, they stay cold for a while too. We also had the Teething Blanket, Teethe-eez Teether & Bug-a-loop Teether all lasted through my first sons teething great products!

• Travel Changing Pad These are easy & convenient. The last thing you want to do is lay your baby on a nasty changing table in the bathroom. I am not a diaper bag person (although with 2 under 2 I'm going to have no choice). When I can just grab this and go into the store quickly instead of taking my whole bag, or throw this under the stroller, at the park it makes sens & makes life easier! 

You may want to stock up on your favorite coffee & protein bars for energy as well (totally not kidding!) Momming is the hardest job I've ever had. I hope the things in my list make it a little easier for you, as they did me!