At it Again! PG w/#2 or more

[emermel]

I remember a thread somewhat like this on the "other" site and figured I'd start one here for those of us who are PG for the second (or more) time. I'm not really sure how to introduce a new thread like this, but I figure that here we can discuss what we are doing with our older children, how we feel during another pregnancy, since we have been here before, etc.

[ezl247]

Subscribing.
My kiddos will, hopefully, be 2.5 years apart.

My Daughter, Rachel, was born on March 13, 2004 and I am due with number #2 the end of September. I work part time and hope to continue once this baby is born.

So far the morning sickness has been much less and I just feel much better this time around. I am hoping that the morning sickness stays at bay. We have only told our family so far and will make the offical announcement sometime after the first trimester.

[emermel]

Our kids will be 2 years 9 months apart, which is exactly the same distance as my sister and me. We haven't told DD what is going on, mostly because I am afraid that she would point to me and say baby in there. I think that we are going to do a first trimester hold out again, but I have a feeling that I wills start to show before that, so we will have to tell

[JennZ]

Hi there!

I really like the idea of this thread!
My DS and DD are 14 months apart, and I am having number 3 on Feb. 28th. This baby will be 27 months younger than DS. So I will have three kiddos under 3 1/2! :eek: :eek:
My DD is very excited about the baby- although she really wants a baby sister! Hopefully she won't be disappointed if it is another boy! :D
DS likes to put his hands on my tummy and feel it move, but I don't think he really understands that a new baby is coming. But it is very sweet to see him pat my tummy and hug the "baby"!
Anyway, looking forward to the journey with you all! :)

[ajlanden]

How fun! I would love to join!! DD is 14 months. #2 is due in August. It will make them 20 months apart. I am so excited and scared!

How about a QOTD:
What scares you most about adding to your family?

For me it is time. I hope that I don't feel so overwhelmed that I am not able to be a good mommy to my kiddos. The first month or so with DD was HARD on me. Baby blues are no joke. I hope I am able to deal with that better.

[emermel]

Good question! My biggest fear is that I won't ever be able to leave the house until either Maya stops taking naps (which hopefully won't be until she starts high school ;) ) or the baby is on the same schedule. I am a stickler for somewhat scheduled napping, so I'm not willing to push either kid without a nap

[kenswife]

I'll join!

I have a 5 year old and an 11 month old. I am due with my 3rd Oct. 8th which will make the younger two only 19 months apart. The first two are 4 years and 10 months apart. We had our first by total suprise!

QOTD: What scares you most about adding to your family?

Definitely time with all 3 kids. My oldest is at an age where it's easier to spread my time out so it's not an issue right now. However, my baby right now needs sooooooo much attention. I'm afraid of having to take attention away from her and how she'll feel. It's going to be a big adjustment for her since she is the biggest mommy's girl EVER!

[mommy2AlliWill]

I am expecting my third in September. My older two are 14 months apart & will be 3 & just turned 2 when this baby arrives. Jennz- very close to your situation.

What scares me most about a third is that I am going to be exhausted. DD only naps 75% of the time now & I know by Sept. she will be barely napping at all. She will be going to nursery school 2x a week but in the morning when DS will be awake. I know it will work out & my Mom will help when she can but it scares the crap out of me.

[JennZ]

What scares me most about a third is that I am going to be exhausted. DD only naps 75% of the time now & I know by Sept. she will be barely napping at all. She will be going to nursery school 2x a week but in the morning when DS will be awake.

I am really worried about that as well.
I procrastinated the nursery school thing so long that now I can't get DD into a program this Fall. I really want to wait one more year to send her to school. But I am also so nervous about being home with all three of them all day, every day!! I'm really not sure how the nursing thing will go with two toddlers to take care of at the same time as I am trying to bf.
We planned these babies to all be close, and we would actually like one more. It is just working out the logistics that is making me nervous!!
I want them all to be happy and not feel like the baby is getting all my attention! So many things to worry about!!! :confused: And only 18 more days to prepare!! :eek:

[emermel]

OK...is anyone else concerned about DC #1 climbing/standing on their abdomen? It seems to make sense to me to not allow this anymore, but I'm not sure if I'm nuts or not. For example, when DD sits my lap, she sometimes climbs up me. What do you think?

[jbemommy]

Hi! I'm due with #2 in October, when DD will be 2y9m.
What I'm most worried about is finding time to sleep and get things done with two of them. I don't have very fond memories of the first two months of DD's life, so I'm not looking forward to that time either with the added stress of DD adjusting to a new baby.
emermel I've been thinking about the whole climbing on my belly thing lately. I don't think it matters a lot right now since i'm only 6 weeks, but I know it's going to be more and more uncomfortable. And my BB's aren't very happy about all of her clambering and grabbing, either.:)

[jesvet]

DD climbs ALL OVER ME. She is 16 months and I'm 6 months pregnant now. Yes, it's a PITA and part of me keeps envisioning the new baby coming out all dented. :D But you learn to be protective of your belly pretty quickly, so I can avoid the worst of it.

[marathongirl]

Hi! I'm due with #2 in early October so there will be about 2 years and 2 weeks between DD#1 and DC#2. My biggest fear is getting even less sleep than I'm getting now. Case in point - DD decided 2:40am was the appropriate time to get up for the day and she's only been taking one 30 minute nap. She's now watching The Wiggles. I hate letting her watch TV, but I'm desparate this morning. DH isn't much help at night. If he doesn't get at least 7.5-8 hours of sleep, he's pretty useless. And he can sleep through EVERYTHING! When he decides he's tired he curls up on the couch and goes to sleep even if he's 'watching' DD. She will be going to preschool in the fall, but only for 4 hours/week. I'm also afraid of PPD, which I had after DD. I also found it very tough those first 4-6 weeks after she was born and was on zoloft for 6 months.

Climbing - right now it's not a problem, but I can see it being one once I have a big belly.

[ezl247]

QOTD:
What scares you most about adding to your family?
I am afraid that I will not have enough time and patience to deal with 2 kids screaming the same time. I also had a bad case of the baby blues for the first 2 months and I am afraid of that again.

Emermel-I told my DD about the new baby and I told her she has to be careful and can not stand or kick mommy in the belly anymore. She seems to understand and is gentle.

[happy]

Hi Ladies,

I have a question for you. When did you start to show with #2? I just found out I am pregnant with #2 (kids will be 26 months apart). I am in a wedding in May and wondering if I will need maternity clothes for the rehersal or regular? Any tips would be very helpful.

Thanks

[ezl247]

I am only 8+ weeks and I feel like I am showing. I still fit into my regular clothes, but I see a pooch (I don't think anyone else can). I am 5'2 and 100lbs. I did not need maternity clothes with #1 until 20 weeks. I dont expect to break out the maternity clothes until 14-16 weeks, but we shall see.

[Sal03]

fun thread! I am due with baby #2 on April 7. DS and DD will be 21 months apart.

When did you start to show with #2? I
I showed so early this time. With DS no one could tell until I was 6 months. This time my stomach puffed out so early. I was in a wedding when I was 14 weeks and I had to have panels added to the dress to make it bigger and I was already in maternity pants by then. I am usually a size small in tops, but to the rehearsal dinner I just bought a larger size and wore that with my maternity pants. SO if you are like me, you will definitely be in maternity!

[shelbel]

I'm excited about this new thread! I'm due with #2 at the end of May so there will be a 21 month difference between DD and the new baby.

I'm scared I'm not going to have enough patience to deal with 2 especially since DD has been sleeping like *crap* lately. Also, DH and I work out of our house, so I'm worried we are going to get even less work done around here!

I started to show a lot earlier this time even though I started out smaller than I did w/ #1. I had to dress up for a baptism when I was 14 weeks and was in maternity pants and a bigger-sized shirt.

[jesvet]

QOTD- What are you going to do about staying in the hospital when number 2 arrives? I could have the grandparents stay with DD while DH stays in the hospital with me but I don't want to be any more disruptive to her than we are already. That being said, I don't want to be by myself either...

[ajlanden]

I was totally showing by 10 weeks with the one. Granted, I showed early with #1 too, but not this early. I am now at 13 weeks and everyone can tell I am pg and I am in complete maternity.

QOTD-All our immdieate family live in town, so I am sure one of the grandpa's will watch Dani. I hope that we can keep her at home, but most likely she will go to someone else's house. DH stayed with me the whole time last time...overnight and everything. I would love that again, but maybe I'll have him go home the 2nd night.

Any mommies on LJ? I would love the share this with you over there too. All of sudden it is really becoming SCARY that I am going to be a mommy of two!

[octoberkate]

Hi all - thanks for starting this thread. My DS was born 4/5/04 and I'm due 9/28/06 with number 2. (Random aside to ezl - our kids are/will be about the same ages and we both live in the DC area - small world!).

QOTD - What scares you most. So many things make me nervous. I have a hard time being patient as it is. Will I be able to be patient with a toddler when I'm exhausted from being up all night with a newborn? Will my son treat a new baby kindly? Where will I put them (we live in a SMALL townhouse)? How on God's green earth can I come up with daycare money for two... etc etc. I figure I'll just try not to fixate on those things, and deal with the problems and find solutions as I come to them.

QOTD - DC climbing on belly - well, I'm not that far along (just shy of 8 weeks) so this isn't a huge concern yet. That said, lately DS has been really fighting his diaper changes and kicking me good and hard in the belly. I've told him how bad it is because it hurts mommy and we've had some timeouts but we've got to nip this behavior in the bud. I had some minor placental abruption and bleeding last time, so I'm very concerned about taking blows to the stomach and his little legs are very strong.

QOTD - DH overnight in the hospital - I think I will ask my DH to stay with me - at least for the first night if I'm there for two. I don't think it'll be too much trouble for DS. Every other month or so he has a "sleepover" at my parents house while we get to go to a late movie or some other date night activity. He always does fine on those occasions, so hopefully that pattern will hold true.

[mommy2AlliWill]

QOTD: When my 2nd was born my Mom & MIL switched on & off taking care of my dd at our house. DH came home every night to be with her. I have c-sections so I am in 3 nights & it was easier being alone overnight the second time around, it was important to me that DH give Alli her baths & put her to bed. I guess we will do the same this time.

aj- I am over on LJ & i think I have "met" you in Dal's journal. I'll friend you when I get a chance. I'm mom2alliwill over there.

Oh, as for showing, I was in maternity at 17 weeks with #1 & 12 weeks with #2, I expect it to about 13/14 weeks this time around since I had recently lost some weight & have pre-diet clothes to transition through.

[ezl247]

It is a small world Octoberkate! I work also and am scared about how I will manage things.

QOTD- What are you going to do about staying in the hospital when number 2arrives?
We will have the grandparents stay with DD at night, while my DH comes to visit me. I had a bad tear and rough delivery the first time and was not able to get out of bed or sit down so I will probably need lots of help. I am so hoping that this time will be easier.

[April1234]

Joining this thread.:)

I have a 14 month old DD name Lily. I am currently almost 27 weeks pregnant with a BOY whos name is Nolan.

According to my due date they would be exactly 18 months apart to the day but being as Lily was premature due to pre-eclampsia and IUGR I know that most likely he will be born around 38 weeks if all goes really really well and no problems occur. I have already had to do a 24 hour urine so Im not counting on things just yet. :rolleyes:

We are doing good so far. I am a SAHM so thankfully I dont have to worry about daycare issues. Lily tranistioned to a big girl bed about a month ago and has never looked back. We are about 80% done with the nursery and now I am just trying to figure out logistics.

QOTD I have no idea! I was thinking about her staying with my parents but I was just thinking maybe that would be too much for her to deal with. She does stay at my parents house once everyother week so maybe she would be fine. I will have have a c-section ude to Lily being born emergncy c-section so I will be there for at least 3 nights. I was in the hospital for 6 nights when I had Lily but she was sick,so was I and she was in the NICU for a looooong time. Hmmm...maybe I have a lot more to think about than I thought.

Im looking forward to talking with you ladies. Its nice to have a place to come and talk with women who understand.

[shelbel]

QOTD - I will probably have my Mom stay at our house when I'm in the hospital. She's never spent the night out (even though she's just about 18 months!), so I don't want to really traumatize her.

I'm thinking about transitioning DD into a big girl bed before baby #2 comes. When did everyone else make this change?

[marathongirl]

QOTD showing - I felt like I could notice a change around 13-14 weeks with DD. I don't think it was obvious to the rest of the world until 19-20 weeks and even then you had to look really hard or know me very well.

QOTD hospital - if we are in a rush to get to the hospital, we have terrific neighbors who would probably take DD until my parents could get her. My parents live about 50 minutes away so they will probably either stay at our house with DD or take her home with them. She has had a few overnights with them so it would not be a shock.

ajlanden - I know what you mean about it suddenly being so scary about having 2. I was just on the phone with my mom yesterday wondering how I was going to do it all.

Shelbel - I have no idea what we're going to do about DD and switching her to a big girl bed. She's a terrible sleeper as it is, so I hate to put her through the upheaval of a new bed/room and a sibling at the same time. DH said if we're in that much of a pinch, we'll just buy a second crib if it means a better night sleep for everyone.

[happy]

So I have a new question for you girls. What do you do with your DS/DD when you have doctor appt's. My mom is close by so I will probably just take him over to her house but I am sure that won't always work. Any suggestions.

Now here are some responses to previous QOTD's

QOTD hospital - I have no idea. He will probably go to my parents house. I think that I would like to have DH stay with me in the hospital. Last time I had several complications and was on the cardiac floor after delivery it was nice to know that he was staying in my post-pardum room and checking on the baby. (and me)


QOTD - What scares you most - I think that sleep depervation is what scares me the most. I take care of another little boy 4 days a week so having another kid around does not scare me, I think that the having another kid around and not sleeping does though :)

QOTD - DC climbing on belly - Have not thought about this one yet. DS loves to play around on my belly. We have been a little more careful about where he plops himself down but I am sure he will not understand why there is a sudden change.

[shelbel]

marathongirl - DD has been sleeping like crap lately as well. She has been boycotting her one and only afternoon nap and I know she needs it. I'm thinking about getting the guest rom ready for her "big girl" room this weekend and maybe I'll start having her nap in there (when she does decide to nap again).

Happy - for Dr appointments we've taken DD with us for some, had my mom watch her for some and sometimes I'll just go by myself and leave her w/ DH (we both work out of the house).

[ezl247]

QOTD:What do you do with your DS/DD when you have doctor appt's?
I usually bring her along or I leave her with a parent if one is available.

Toddler Bed-
I have not really thought about this one, but I will probably buy DD a new big girl bed in about 4 months to slowly start transitioning her.

[She-Ra]

I'm signing up for this thread!

I see a couple of my fellow Oct 2006 mommies here, as well as my good friend Kate. :)

I'm Sheila, and I have a DS, Charlie, who will be 2 on March 30. We are expecting # 2 on Oct 13.

[crazycaro]

Joining. DD1 was born on 18 May 04 and this little girl is due 11 May 06. Ruby came 9 weeks early and this one is expected early too, hopefully not so early though, I can't do that again to be honest. My doctor says she expects to see me make at least 35 weeks this time, I am aiming for 36 - 37 weeks so I can hopefully take the baby home with me. Ruby spent 52 days in hospital so all I dream of this time is a baby I can take home with me.

[kenswife]

QOTD hospital - When I had DD#2, DD#1 stayed the first night at my in-laws. My DH didn't stay with me though b/c the hospital I delivered at didn't have suitable accomodations for his 6'3" body :) So the second day and night DD#1 stayed with him at home. With this one I think it'll work the same way.

QOTD - What scares you most - I already answered this on the 1st or 2nd page but wanted to add something: I have been TERRIFIED lately of having no sleep - like many of you said. Shortly after the baby is born I will be student teaching (decided to change careers and will be right at the end of finishing my masters/certification). I can't imagine trying to do this!! The nice thing is that I will have off that summer and will most likely just sub for a year or two to keep from getting overwhelmed w/3 kids.

Oh my - I'm seriously freaking out about having 3!!

QOTD - DC climbing on belly - I've definitely been more aware of this. DD#2 is just shy of a year and not walking yet. She loves to be held but definitely "crawls" up my belly a lot. I'm actually more worried when my 60+lb. dog jumps up on me. He always does it w/o warning too.

[octoberkate]

Random note to CrazyCaro - if you DO make it to May 11th, I can assure you that that is a fantastic birthday... as I've had it for 30+ years now.

Also random Melbourne/Australia questions - one of my best friends and her husband live in Melbourne (he's from there, she's from the Washington DC area like me) and they are pregnant with their first. I love my signing time DVDs and I thought they would appreciate them as well. Do you know, can American dvd's be viewed on Australian players? (I know some countries have different codes.) Also, do you know if there are any food delivery places, things that are nicer than pizza or chinese, or even restaurants that can be found in several locations in the greater Melbourne area that sell gift certificates online? This particular friend has had some serious depression issues and I know she's worried about PPD. I thought if I could send food, or send GC's for restaurant food that they could pick up (they don't have much $$ so don't often do restaurants) that might help after the baby is born. Thanks for your thoughts!

[Lizzie Beth]

Hey, girls, I'm in!

We found out two days ago we're expecting #2. My daughter Susannah will be just shy of two when the baby is born. I feel bad for the kid, I think this might be a huge blow to her ego.. She is not only our first, but the first grandchild on both sides, so she has enjoyed (and suffered through) undivided attention and adoration.

As for belly climbing, Susie is too busy to be climbing up on me right now. She just figured out how to walk, so she wants nothing to do with any stationary activites whatsoever. Other than that, I imagine the baby will have to learn to kick her right back. After all, it's going to be a long 18 years with a big sister. Might as well learn how to deal with her now.

[lattee22]

Can I join?

I am expecting baby #2 on December 2, 2006. My daughter, Noelle, was born on May 2, 2005. So my kiddos will be about 19 months apart. I am so excited about the prospect of another baby, but I am also scared about caring fulltime for 2!

[ajlanden]

Welcome lattee!! Isn't it so exciting and scary at the same time?

QOTD-Anyone worried about finances? We are getting by okay with 1, but with 2....I just don't know how it will work.

[LyLMyssChaos]

Count me in. We are currently expecting #3 over Labor Day weekend. That will give us a just turned 3 year old, a 16 month old and a newborn.

What scares me most is how in the world are we going to handle 3 so young, on so many levels. I mean, we finally got our oldest potty trained, and along comes another one to put into diapers. I am really worried about how we will afford this baby, and how will we find space. We just bought our house last April, so moving is not an option, and things will be VERY tight. DH is talking about getting a second job, but my goodness, I don't know how I'll physically keep up with 3 kids doing it by myself if he's working 2 jobs.

When I'm in the hospital my other two will probably stay with either my in-laws or my parents, and then I'll have DH go home once I have the baby so that he can take care of them.

With the belly climbing that has been a huge issue with both of my kids, we just keep reminding my DD that mama has a baby in her tummy and we have to be careful. My DS is not old enough to understand yet, but I'm pretty good at blocking his access.

Maternity Clothes: It felt like I needed to pull them out right away, but really it was around 9 weeks.

[shelbel]

QOTD: I am getting a little worried about finances especially when I went clothes shopping the other day and realized that I'm going to be doubling the amount I spend on clothes, diapers, shoes, etc. pretty soon. We are also looking at preschools for my DD for the fall, so that will be another added expense. Plus, I want to get a minivan b/c all we have right now is a Corolla (we share a car) so that will be another car payment, insurance, etc.

[kenswife]

QOTD: I was a little worried when I had #2. However, I found that where there is a will, there is a way! We avoided "over-buying" for #2 which was a huge help in the finance dept. When it comes to clothes most of DD#1's clothes I didn't use for DD#2 so I would buy outfits that could be mixed and matched. We just use the washer a lot more often :)

When it comes to food - I breastfed for 5-6 months until I got worn down from pumping constantly while at work. When I did actually start using formula, I bought it at the store (with coupons of course) b/c she couldn't use the typical formula. But diapers......one word......"Costco"!!! That place has saved me a bundle on diapers! But for everything that can't be found there, I use coupons at the store.

Lastly, I found in my own experience that baby's aren't such a HUGE expense. Really I feel like my older DD is much much much much more of an expense at this point with sports, activities, book fairs, etc, etc. I'm always dishing out a few dollars here and there for something. Just an FYI for some - knowledge is power!

Okay, enough of my rambling......

[nettreefrog]

Hey all... I thought I would join too... We are expecting #2 in 6 weeks. #1 is 12 years old though --so this feels completely new in many ways.

QOTD:

What scares me most: Gosh...I really don't know...

When I'm in the hospital: We seem to have talked her into going into the delivery room...which is a good thing because we think it will be an amazing experience that she will always remember.

Belly climbing: My DD is cognizant of the fact that she cannot roughhouse too much around me--but she still manages to occassionally poke me with her long arms (12 year olds going through puberty and growing do not always realize the size of their appendages).

Maternity Clothes: Even though it has been a long time, I really cannot wait to get into my regular clothes!

Finances: We are also looking to buy a place now, pay for braces, and put money away for my DD's college fund. Childcare in NYC (where we live) is quite pricey as well... Eeeks!

[rande]

I would love to join.

Like many others, my two kids will be almost exactly 19 months apart. My son was born on Dec. 16, 2004 and my daughter is due July 13, 2006. I am also very excited but yet very nervous. Luckily, my mom will be coming out from Boston to help out for a bit.

[LindsaySD]

Count me in! My two will be almost exactly 22 months apart...I'm inducing in about 7.5 weeks.

QOTD:
What scares me most: This sounds so bad, but I can't imagine loving another child as much as I do DD. I know that everything will fall into place, but this does scare me.

When I'm in the hospital: DD will stay with the woman who keeps her at my house. After that, my parents will have her for several "slumber parties" to make her feel special...they're all 3 very attached to each other.

Belly climbing: DD has been ALL OVER me. I'm starting to wear down easily, so DH helps me a lot, but I've been fine so far.

Maternity Clothes: I hate these. Period.

Finances: We're not over extended in any way and don't have debt, so there really won't be any changes for us. My childcare provider won't charge us more for two, which is great.

I'm so glad there's a thread for us!!

[usafwife]

I'm not currently expecting but looking for answers to some questions I have. I hope that some of you will be able to answer my questions.

Was your first child able to interact with your pregnancy? Did they understand what was going on? How did they react? Did you tell them at the beginning or once you started to get a belly? How old was your first DC when the next (or subsequent DC) was born (or what is the difference in ages)?

If you had morning sickness the first time, did you have it as bad the next time? I had it pretty bad (on several different meds and when one would stop working then we'd have to go on to another or do a combination of pills, couldn't leave the house and if I did I had to have something with me at all times, couldn't drive myself, couldn't cook, etc.). This is one of the things that worries me the most, being too sick to take care of DD, myself, the house, and our animals (we have a few animals that I do the primary care for because DH is really busy with work).

How did your older child react to the news of a sibling? And how did they act once the baby was born?

How much of an adjustment was to go to from one to two?

Any regrets? (i.e. should have waited longer, wish first was older, etc.)

I'd like for DD to be able to understand that a new baby would be coming, like for her to be able to take belly pictures (if we do that with the next pregnancy), and realize that she would be getting a brother or sister.

[bellabonga]

If this thread is still active, I´d like to subscribe! :) My DD Maya Allison was born in February 2003 and my new EDD is mid-December 2006. So they will be almost four years apart which is more than I initially wanted. On the other hand some things will probably be easier with such a big age gap. We´ll see.

[usafwife]

Well, I'm pregnant with baby #2. We wanted to wait until our first was 22/23 months old but she will be 19 months when #2 arrives. A little earlier than we expected but we know it will be fine. A little shock at first but that has worn off (for the most part). I hope this thread is still active.