Ready for baby #2… I think.

I have been reading your blog since last summer. My little darling was born in November. I would like to have another one right away, but want to save up to buy a bigger house first. We would like to have 3 so our next two will probably be really close together. I'm excited to see your experience of having another. Good Luck!

Yulinka - assuming you had a vaginal birth I thought I'd let you know that I had a HORRIBLE first birth and looooooong recovery as well, au naturale with vacuum AND forceps and uncountable stitches. with my second I was terrified but it was SO MUCH EASIER. zero tearing. two days after he was born I was walking around telling anyone that would listen that I didn't even feel like I'd had a baby come out of you know where :) my sister in law had the exact same experience as well. good luck!

I have two boys 21 months apart, 16 months and just 3 yrs old. It's awesome! I was pretty freaked out about all the same stuff as you, but the transition was so much easier than I thought it would be. While I do count myself lucky that my boys have always been great sleepers and nursers from the get go, everything just fell into place. They are such good buddies now it's really adorable. I am VERY busy but on the plus side I'm also thin again from chasing them around so much :) They've been rolling around and playing since the babe was probably 10 months old? I would love a third and while my next won't be quite as close in age to his/her brothers as the first two are, I still want to get pregnant again as soon as our lifestyle permits. Keep the built in buddy system rolling! Good luck!

This is a big deal & i am so happy that Tarzan is on board. Frankly, i was the one pushing my husband for #2 (and my girls are 3 years apart so it took me quite a while to convince him). we have this joke (well, kinda a joke) that if any philly team won a championship cup then i could have as many kids as i want (i really only want one more but i think my husband thinks he is opening up pandora's box). well, the phillies won the world series & #2 was conceived. i could argue that that means i can have more, but hubby is not on board unfortunately. soo..the flyers went to the stanley cup & my husband said if they win, he will "happily" have another baby. well, they ended up losing, thus ruining any hopes of having another one.
Now, I will stop whining. My oldes LOVES being a big sister (it also could be her age). she is very helpful & understands that being a big sister is an important gig. However, with Monkey, he is still young so he actually won't really be jealous since he will be so young.
Having two kids that are close in age is super hard at the beginning but once they are older (around3/4) then they play together & are instant BFFs.
Best of luck with everything :)

I'm usually just a lurker, but when I saw the title of this post, I knew I had to read it. That's a huge step for you guys! Wow! Maybe I should get my husband drunk so I can find out what he really thinks about having a second one...

haha...Really, though, I have an almost 18 month old and the idea of having a second baby is bouncing around my head lately. But, we are in the process of gaining custody of a 14 year old girl in our church, so the idea of getting pregnant is not at the forefront of our brains right now. Though I have this weird feeling that after this summer, God may say, "Hey, it's time!" I do worry, though, about how long it might take to get pregnant again. It took us a year and a half before, and I am unwilling to do that again. So who knows!?

Anyway, best of luck to you and Tarzan come July! I know you have lots of questions and concerns, but when you find yourself with two, you just roll with it and do it. The good thing is, Monkey won't remember life without a little brother/sister because he'll be so young when his sibling is born.

I've followed your blog for a while, but I'm not a big commenter.

However, my babies are 15 months apart. After my 1st I didn't want any more, AT ALL. I had an IUD and STILL got pregnant. Now I wouldn't have it any other way.

Some days are HORRID. One goes to sleep as the other wakes up, and they sleep in shifts the whole day. Some times they are both screaming for attention. Some days I'm so tired of changing dirty diapers you can't even imagine.

But most days, seeing my toddler tend to my infant, and seeing my infant laugh at her big sister, it's great. Knowing that they'll have built in play mates and buddies as they grow up, it's awesome.

Knowing for sure that I'm done having kids (hubs had this surgically fixed) = Priceless! :)

Whoa, how did I miss this post? Maybe we'll be on the same baby track. My husband and I are planning to start trying sometime between July and September. This would be my first though, so I can't offer any advice on 2 under 2. Do 2 dogs count? ;-)

Jane - my son was born on 7/9/09 and I followed you closely for much of my pregnancy...dropped off when I went back to work and couldn't find time to eat many days, much less surf the internet. Anyway, randomly hopped on today and saw this.

So, I'm 15 weeks pregnant with #2 and they'll be ~16-17 months apart. Yep, we even planned it. Like you, we wanted kids close together and we're going to get it! Are we still in shock? YES. Are we thrilled? YES! Is it going to be easy? NO Is it worth it though? ABSOLUTELY. My sister & I are 20 months apart and super super close. Did I love her every minute when she first came home? Probably not ... but I don't remember. Will Monkey have a hard time adjusting? Maybe but it won't necessarily be easier if he's younger vs older. I think you guys need to decide what you think is best for your family and just take the plunge. I'm still terrified about some of your concerns, but just like with #1, I know we'll figure it out and it will be absolutely wonderful.

As for the pregnancy, not gonna lie, it's been harder. It's probably b/c I weaned #1 and was pregnant 2 weeks later so my body didn't get a break at all, but my first pregnancy was WONDERFUL, barely any nausea, felt great, loved being pregnant, blah blah blah (everyone hates me for my good fortune, and I don't blame them!). This time around, got sciatica right away, hips hurt, boobs hurt, nauseous around the clock my entire first trimester, headaches, etc etc. I'm grateful to be in my 2nd trimester and hopefully turning the corner. I'm already the size of a whale and everyone thinks I'm having twins. I could keep going all day. Even so, I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. I am so excited for my baby to have a little buddy that can be his best friend just like my sister is mine (after my husband, of course) that it's worth all the discomfort and fear on the planet. My pg emotions have me crying just writing this...

Follow your heart and you'll make the right decision...

Probably won't be back on here for another 6-9 months but shoot me an e-mail if you have more specific questions for me. Best of luck with whatever happens to your wonderful family, enjoy it all!

Hi Jane, I have a 15 month old that has slept thru the night since she was 10 days old, has been walking since she was 8 months old, and is now running around wanting to do everything by herself unless she specifically asks for help (especially since I taught her some sign language). My husband and I are wanting to try for our 2nd as well but I have to wait another month or so because of the back issues that I have been having since I gave birth. I have been having to go PT, massage therapists and chiropractors to try to correct what every happened. If I wouldn't have had a tough labor, an emergency c-section and the back issues I would probably be pregnant already with my second. But as soon as I get the ok we are going to start trying. I have 4 siblings that I was pretty close in age and pretty close to relationship wise. My husband is the youngest of 5 kids. His sisters were all pretty much moved out by the time he was old enough to really know them. So it was more like he was the only child. My husband wishes even to this day that he was closer to his siblings like I am and I love my siblings so much that I want to have the same for my kids. I sometimes wonder how my daughter will adjust to having a new sibling but then I remember that she has been pretty much independent since 8 months. And we are adding a blessing to our family and a best friend for our daughter. Good luck to you!!!!

I have a son that just turned 2 at the end of last month and I am 23 weeks pregnant with another boy, so the ultrasound says, and I worry so much about how he will feel about everything because I have the same we do everything relationship because my husband has a very busy scedual. My mother old me the very best thing is to try to involve your other child, make them feel like they are helping with the baby and of course still make time for them. It was scary at first but now it's exciting especially with my son wanting to kiss my belly and say hi to baby. He also seems really interested in other babies out in public. So I hope he takes well, I do know that he really doesn't care to share mommy though so that might be a bit of an issue. Good luck to you and your little family and I hope it all works out for you.

Exactly, MVP...I still do not feel "normal" hormone wise (though its been tested and its supposedly "fine") but I have had bleeding issues post delivery and will need to get checked for that. I also have endo and possibly even adenomyosis (painful swollen uterus, endo in the lining of it basically). Sooo who knows when I'd feel well enough to contemplate a pregnancy. I just hate the idea of my little girl being an only just like ME...it was lonely for a good while up until high school age...But at the same time I've got to do what's best for me as the mamma so I can be my best for my little girl.

Wow, that's really big news. All the best to you.

For me, I long for another baby, but I'm just now starting to feel normal again after having my son. I want to enjoy that a bit longer before shaking things up again.

I was in the club of the 2 under 2... and it's now just starting to get under control.

I'll be brutally honest here. Only having my 10 month old daughter with me while getting my 2 year old son babysat is considered BIG BIG vacation time.

If you consider having your 10 month old very time consuming, I'd be very very weary. (Though my son is very very active /all over the place... very advanced motor wise.. and a bit delayed speech wise)

exciting news! :) it had been a while since i'd stopped by & read a post and i was giddy when i read about this. you're an awesome mama that fought through some really tough first weeks/months when your little monkey & i know you'll be just as much of a fighter/as strong when you have 2 little monkeys running around. have faith in your abilities, hun! the world needs more good parents out there making healthy, wholesome, awesome little babies! <3

How exciting for you! I've loved reading your blogs and can't wait to hear more about this new adventure! Have you gone back and reread what it was like for you to be pregnant the first time?

I have to admit, I am a tiny bit jealous. My baby is four months old and I already want another! Unfortunately, my husband is on the complete opposite side. He is adamant about not having any more, and it just breaks my heart. Hopefully he'll come around.

Good luck to you and Tarzan!

Okay so I only have one kid right now but my mom had 6 kids pretty close together and my sister has 5 kids. When she had her 5th her oldest was only 5. So she had them pretty much every year. 2 of her boys have autism and one of her girls has major medical problems that require her to have a special diet. Andshe wants two more! LOL. You adjust to your new life and after a month or two (maybe three) things will be easier and you won't even remember what life was like without that precious little baby. It will be hard for the first little bit. But you learn to adjust your life so that it just is second nature to you. By the time baby #2 is born Monkey will be just about 2. Every kid is different but if you involve Monkey in every thing about the pregnancy and the new baby he will come around and may even be excited. My newphew who is two LOVES my son. Evrytime time he sees him he gasps and runs over to him and will gently touch his head or pat his back. I think it's a great idea to have them close together. All of my sisters kids are very close with each other. I want to space my kids out about 2-3 years apart. I bet Monkey will do great with a baby sister or brother. He seems like a sweet kid from what i gather. I have gotten a lot of expreiences from nannying and from my sister about what to do if your child is expreincing jealously from the other child. So if you ever need advise let me know : D
I am so super excited for you. I hope you and Tarzan are able to concieve easily. Good luck!!! Let us know the good news : )

Sorry, I don't have advice because I'm now 8 weeks pregnant with my second. My son will be turning 1 in a couple weeks, so our spacing seems like it will be similar. Just wanted to wish you well trying for your new bundle, and I'm looking forward to reading about a new pregnancy on your blog!

Congrats!

I'm nowhere near conception yet (our first is 3-1/2 weeks old), but my husband & I know we want 2 kids close together. Even after 36 hours of labor (at home, all natural) I still want another. Labor might not have been fun, but birthing a child was one of the most amazing experiences - and seeing my son and husband together is something I can't describe. Now all we need to do is figure out how close together we want our babies. I'm breastfeeding, and hope to continue until this baby is at least 1, so I'm thinking we'll wait until he's 1 (at least) to try again.

As far as PPD is concerned, I would consider preserving your next placenta. I did and have to say that I can tell when I take a placenta pill. I haven't really had any PP issues, but it helped with bleeding for sure. Also, when I've had less sleep than needed and baby is gassy I notice a difference when I take one. It doesn't make life better/easier, but I do notice that I'm not quite so wound up and ready to snap.

I have to admit though - I get a lot of weird looks when a friend goes in my fridge and sees the bottle of pills. I usually have to explain it (I kept the pamphlet to save my breath).

As far as having 2 kids... try not to stress too much. You'll love both of your children uniquely, and you'll find a way to be a wonderful Mom to both of them. Life is full of stress and scary stuff, and you've done a great job getting around it. Besides, having a 2nd is going to have its disadvantages no matter what age your 1st is. I tend to try to think more long-term when imagining having a second baby.

Hi Jane! I have been reading your blog now not too long after you all began writing it. I have never commented but have decided to today. I've wanted to comment several times but I am a busy new mom myself! I had my little monkey in September of last year and started reading your blog when I found out I was pregnant. I loved reading your pregnancy stories! One of my favs was a post from Tarzan about the Dorito sandwich he made you - love it! Anyway, I am expecting Baby #2 in December so my little ones will be 15 months apart. Although we are super excited, I have also had those same feelings as you about my little monkey. I feel like I am taking away from him and it has actually made me cry (might also have something to do with the hormones!). :) I keep thinking how great our life is with him now. We just love him so much - we have even made it a point to take a picture of him every day since he was born. I keep wondering - will I feel the same about this next baby? Will I have the energy to take a picture of him/her everyday? Will my little monkey be sad and feel let down by us? We knew life was going to be completely different when he was born, and I cannot imagine how different it will be once we have 2 children. But, I remember having those very thoughts before my little monkey was born...we knew life would be different but couldn't imagine how. The amazing thing is is that we all adapt and we learn that we wouldn't want our lives any other way after our children are born. I finally let on to my husband this past weekend my feelings of sadness about the new baby, and he reminded me that we are "adding" to our little monkey's life...not taking away. We are giving him a little buddy and the opportunity to be a big brother and have a new friend that he can teach and help along the way. He also reminded me that we will love this new baby just as much as our son and we are only adding love to our family. This made me feel better. I am really excited to see how my little monkey will interact with the new baby and am looking forward to watching them grow up together. In the meantime, as we wait for the arrival of our new baby, we will enjoy each and every wonderful moment we have with our son while we are still the parents of one :)

Good luck!! Thank you for your blog! I check it often and love it!

Congratulations! I have a 4.5 month old baby and I've had baby itch since he was born. I never thought in a million years I would have wanted more kids and just having my son has changed that. I call him my miracle baby because he has filled my life with love and the desire to have more kids. I had and emergency c-section and was told I had to wait at least until my son was a year old before conceiving. We went to the dr. yesterday and I was hoping she would tell me I could start trying to conceive sooner as I feel great and think I've had a good recovery. My dr. still thinks that I should wait a year, so with that being said once my son is 1 we will be trying to conceive as well.

I do have the same concerns as you but, I also think I am not the only woman who has done it. My grandma had 9 kids and most of them are only a year apart. She says there was never a dull moment in her house. It is really fun when we get together for family reunions and we listen to all the fun they had growing up.

Good luck to you trying to conceive. I will keep on reading your posts to give us an idea of what awaits us.

I am loving living vicariously through you and the other commenters...because I have NO PLANS to have another baby. My husband and I asked all the questions that you asked of yourself, and we decided we were extremely happy with our lives and did not want to add more complications. Some think it is a selfish decision on our part, and maybe it is...but I feel I can be a much better mommy to Finnley with her being an only child. Not all situations are right for all people, so my husband and I are just doing what is right for us.

Best of luck to you as you try for number 2...can't wait to follow your journey!

Amanda & Alicia - Congrats on your pregnancy!!

BridgePerri - 7 kids?! Wow, that's awesome! You must have your hands full ALL OF THE TIME ;) & I bet there's never a dull moment. How fun!

Yulinka - Congrats on your pregnancy too! You are right - every pregnancy is different, so here's hoping that this one is 100% better than the last.

Crysi - LOVE the question mark after the congrats. Totally made me laugh! Even though having twins & a toddler would kick my ass, I think it would be awesome to have twins. They don't run in my or Tarzan's family, but maybe there's a slight chance of them after hearing that they don't run in your family either. I bet you have your hands full too. Whew. Bring on the fun!

Congrats?? I think.. I just say that because my "let's have another" ended up being "wow, it's twins." Keep in mind, that could happen to you too. Twins DO NOT run in my family. They were a total surprise to me.

speaking of twins.. one of them just woke up.

My boy is practically 9 months and I am 26 weeks pregnant with another baby boy :) My fiance and I wanted it this way. I am a little stressed, though, because I had a horrible delivery and a loooooong recovery but I guess that since every pregnancy is unique, maybe it'll go smooth this time. So Ruslan, the older, will turn 1 year old Sept. 13 and I am due Sept. 15 !!! I know it'll be rough but we are backed by both my mom and my step-mom. I'll let you know how it'll go, if you are interested. By the way, as much as I was tired in the first pregnancy, this one goes like a breeze (except for the backache, but it's a combinaison of belly weight and baby carrying). Good luck and sticky dust to you !!

I'm a momma to 7 with the kids ranging from 14 months to 2 years apart and I am telling you it is rough in the first 3 months or so but after that it is truly amazing to see them grow up together. having a sibling only one grade away from you in school and on the same soccer team is awesome and great for you because you don't have to drive to a bunch of different practices! LOL. Good luck and I know your bond with monkey will change and grow but forever remain strong.

My 1st son was born on June 16th, 2009. I'm expecting a little girl on July 23rd. Yes they will be exactly 1 year, 1 month and 1 week apart! Crazy and unplanned but we are so excited now. My sister and I were one year and one day apart and my husband and his brother were 13 months apart so we are used to being close to our siblings so we are excited for them to grow up together and be friends. I believe that life is what you make it and things can be hard no matter what decision you make whether they are close together or not will bring it's own share of challenges and attitude will ultimately get you through. Best of luck next month!

Wow, our first kids (yours and mine) were conceived around the same time and our daughter came on august 4th, 2009. I am now 17wks 4dys pregnant and we found out it's a little boy!
It was not planned but we're excited! I worry about the same things as you in regards to how my daughter will handle it. But I honestly think she'll love another little person around. She loves fellow young folks, I hope she loves her little brother. We just need to be sure she knows she's always going to be our little honey bun and keep her close to the new baby. I'm looking forward to it, I hope it goes as well as I'm hoping it will!

Jane, of course I think about what it will be like especially as I am going back to work in 4 weeks time.... I wonder how we would managed and how would a 2nd baby be intergrated into our family etc. I guess because I am 1 of 5 kids and hubby is one of 4 we always figured we would have more then one child, we are stopping at 2 thou. I was ready to start for number 2 about a months after giving birth lol... I have actually found the last 4 months harder then the first 6 months... She was a dream baby untill teething started. however I really want our children close in age as my older sister was 4 years older then me and my brother and i are only 18 months apart , then there is 4 years between my brother and younger sister and then 18 months between younger sister and my youngest sister. my brother and I were so close growing up I really want that bond for my children.
I am so happy for you I just was a little concearned that it was something Tarzan wanted more then you.

Thanks for all the support, everyone! I enjoy hearing your own stories about having more than one child. It's so helpful!

Peta - Thanks for your concern. I'm actually 100% onboard with the idea of trying for another baby. I definitely want to have kids close in age & although I do worry at times about PPD, I'm sure that my dr. will have an answer for me when that time comes. I think all of my worries are normal because I've talked to some other moms in the same situation & they wonder about the same things. Do you not think about what it will be like? Just curious... Thanks again though. I think I'm more excited than Tarzan, but I'm the one that has to go through pregnancy, labor, etc, so I have some concerns too. :)

HI Jane,

I think it is wonderful that you are thinking of trying for baby number 2. We are also trying at the moment... But please make sure it is something you both want and not just what Tarzan wants... As 2 under 2 will be hard work and you do not want to be feeling like you have been pressured into something too soon. Especially as you have suffered from PPD this really needs to be a decision that you are totally ready for.. Waiting a little longer if you need to will not make you any less of a mum or anything like that. I know you will know when is the right time...

OOOOOO, another baby!! WOO HOO!!! I can't really help with the 2 under 2 problem since my biological kids are 5 and 7 years apart, but I can tell you what my mom did with me and my younger sister. I wasn't even a year old when my mom had my sister....she actually had her 8 days before my first birthday. They bought me a special baby doll that I got to take home from the hospital on the day my mom and dad brought home my sister. That was MY baby to take care of. I changed my baby's diaper when my mom changed my sister's diaper, I fed my baby when my mom fed my sister....basically I took care of my baby the same way my mom was taking care of my sister. My mom says that it saved her sanity! She had to make sure that she still gave me attention that I needed and spend "special" time with me and only me so that I didn't become jealous of my sister. It is a balancing act for sure, but one that is rewarding and WONDERFUL! And really....after you have #2 you could have a few more...because after two kids adding in another is no biggie! lol....just kidding there....sort of. (I'm a mom of 4 with one cooking in the oven!!)

Hi Jane,

I'm happy to hear that you and Tarzan are ready to have another baby. I can't offer any advice, but can send you my best wishes.

I have a 10 month old now and although I know I want another baby someday, I certainly am not ready to have one so soon. I am very happy with motherhood right now. It took me a while to enjoy being a mother (starting with recovering from a difficult delivery and a baby that just wouldn't nap during the day until she was 6 months old) and I would like to enjoy having just one baby a while longer. I want to give my baby all the attention she needs until she is a little older. I will be returning to work in September and she will need to go to daycare, which will be a big adjustment in all our lives. I want to know and feel comfortable with my work and raising one baby before thinking of having another.

So long as Tarzan is supportive and willing to help you out more because you will have two children under two years of age (and it sounds like he is!) you'll be fine. I am looking forward to reading how this new chapter in your life unfolds.

My 1st is 6 mths old but I had a complicated pregnancy AND a terrible complication after delivery so I'm afraid to even have another one though I won't lie....I do want one! I was an only child so I know what thats like! It was tough for me until high school. I always pictured having two maybe three kids but no way do I want mine close together and no way do I think I could handle three! So, I may go for 1 more but my Dr is advising me to wait at least 2 years from my complications and I am STILL having female issues so who knows what will happen. I think its great that you are mentally in a place to be deciding on a 2nd one, more power to you! I would not have thought I would have been told to wait two years to even TTC a 2nd due to issues I had but I guess everyone is different!

Yay, we're all so excited for you!! :D I'm sure all those feelings are normal, but don't think that you're taking something away from monkey - you're giving him a friend for life. I think being an only child must be very lonely. And I think having them close in age will diminish the "bossiness" of the older to the younger (I know, I have sisters 4 and 9 years older than me, and it was no fun! :). Don't worry, you'll just fill your house with more love. We'll be here rooting and praying for you!

How exciting!!!! I'm sooooo jealous, I'm so ready for number 2 but my fiance is not having it right now. I'm sure Monkey will adjust well to the new addition. Good luck!!!

I am so EXCITED for you!!! EAKKK! Well that said I am also thrilled because my husband and I are going to go for 2 in in July as well, we'll see what happens number one (7.5 months now) took five tries before success! So we are debating trying now in June because I want a Spring baby, we're in MN so the winters with a tiny baby are LONG....So happy for you!!

Great to read this post and to see the comment. My daughter Lila is Monkey's age (10.5 months) and I am already preggers with Baby Boy (now almost 19 weeks). They'll be 15 months apart. So I have had all these same thoughts and as I went through the PPD and suffered terribly with sleep-deprivation the first time around, I have many a moment of being terrified too. I have no idea how I'll be or how my daughter will react but I plan to keep you posted!! Baby is due 11/3. Good luck with "trying" and keep blogging!

I don't have any children of my own yet, but when I do I plan to have them close in age. My plan is for each of them to have a built-in-best-friend! So I've been reading tons of http://www.babybunching.com

Go check it out, I think you'll find it endlessly useful.

Jane, OMG, YAY! LOL, I never thought I would be so excited for someone I don't know in real life to start trying to have a baby. I am 9 weeks pregnant with my first, so I can't tell you what it's like to have two close together. However, I do think Monkey would get used to the baby rather quickly. Maybe you would start with a baby doll once you are pregnant to get him used to the idea of a baby. I think your concerns are normal. I am constantly bugging our husband,'What if the baby doesn't like use? What if he or she cries for 8 hours at a time, and I don't know what to do?' Concerns are a good thing because they show how much we care.

I got pregnant when my daughter was 13 months old. I had all the same fears and our's wasn't planned so I felt like we were also in a state of shock. After my second daughter was born, I was super freaked....until my first outing. Yes, it's more work but it's not overwhelming. The first time I took them out together my baby was about 2.5 weeks old. I felt like a rock star and it made it easy from there on out. No, they don't always nap at the same time. Yes, we get to deal with illnesses twice. Yes, my daughter gets less attention than she did before. But now, the time we have is different. She's older so she wants to do more on her own but we still take special days together and do stuff with just us. And she LOVES her baby sister. You can do it. You're an awesome mom to Monkey and I think it's awesome you are ready to do it all again!

I am so qualified to comment on this post! YAY! :)

I found out I was pregnant with my second son about 10 days after my first son turned 1 year old. My little guy was still pretty young, so while he knew that a "baby" was growing in Mama's belly, I don't think he fully understood just what that baby entailed. And I'm not gonna lie: At first, it was pretty hard. Andrew had a huge regression when his little brother was born and started waking up at night again, so I had both of them to deal with 24/7. Andrew's other reaction to the baby was pretty much to just ignore him, which, I will admit, hurt my feelings a little bit -- although I know it was natural. That lasted for a few weeks, then he started at least acknowledging his presence (even if it was just to tell him "Shh" if he was crying). And he was a bit jealous; he wanted to sit in my lap too if I was holding the baby. I tried to let Andrew help with EVERYTHING: burping the baby, changing the baby, putting the bottle in his mouth, giving him his pacifier -- to make him feel included and not left out of anything.

That was just about five months ago, and things are so much better now. I can't believe how much they love each other! I love watching them interact. Just yesterday, I was holding Will and playing cars with Andrew, and he brought his brother a car to hold and tried to teach him how to make it go. It was the sweetest thing! I'm so glad I have them both, and that they're so close in age. I hope they grow up as best friends.

Anyway, all of this is to say: Yes, it's hard adjusting at first. But at least you won't have the added complication of "WTF am I doing?" because you'll have done it all before. Your second baby may not be as easy -- mine certainly isn't easy in the sleeping department; he still wakes up about five times a night, I AM SO TIRED -- but at least you won't feel like you have no clue how to handle it. My love for Andrew is so different than it is for Will, but it's no less strong. They are both so amazing and I feel incredibly lucky to be their mom. :)

Congratulations, and I can't wait to hear more about this new journey!

Do you want the sugar coated version of having 2 under 2 or the brutal honest truth? My first 2 are 15 months apart and honestly the first 6 months were hell. I had almost no sleep because I would get the baby napping and the older girl would decided that day that she didn't want to nap just then and would wait until the baby woke to fall asleep. I do however admit I battled PPD with #2 and because of finances was forced to work PT when I should have been at home with the wee ones.

I wouldn't change my choice though. Once we made it through those first few hellish months my kids started to nap at the same time, play together (as much as a 6 month old and almost 2 year old can) and now for the most part at 9 and 7.5 are best of friends. That is when they aren't arguing about clothing and toys LOL.

Your monkey will adapt just fine to being a big sibling and the saying is true love doesn't divide it multiplies!

Good luck with the conceiving!

I wish I had my kids a few years closer together. The boys are the closest being 4 years apart. They tend to be 'the only child' in their own right because of age difference.

Good luck whatever your decision. Remember - each pregnancy is unique!

My kids are 26 months apart, now 2 and 4. Honestly, I am just starting to feel like I have things under control. The past two years have been a blur . . . Imagine one child heading for disaster in each direction and me standing in the middle trying to decide which one to chase first (usually I run toward the littler one and yell to the bigger one, lol). In some ways I wish I had waited longer to get pregnant again, but now that they are getting to the point where they can play together I'm glad they are close in age.

Good Luck :)