Preparing for 2 under 2

I never really though much about having 2 kids under 2. I know it’s going to be tricky and a lot of things are going to be different than when I had Aleesia, for obvious reasons.  I am generally not a worrier – life has a way of working itself out and bad days don’t last forever – right? (also, I’ll be able to have wine again so that will help with the bad days)

I need to get a few things done to prepare for newborn life again – like packing a diaper bag. Right now, I don’t take a diaper bag with me anywhere – I keep Aleesia’s diapers and wipes in the car and she is really easy to entertain with some crayons and paper! I hardly ever use her stroller because she prefers to walk or “mommy hold you” so I carry her a lot of the time. Although I have a feeling that when she sees the baby in the stroller, she’s going to want to ride too. (I am still not sold on the idea of buying a double stroller) Aleesia’s schedule is fairy rock solid these days – I just pray she continues to nap well as we get into the newborn unpredictable schedule.

Other things that have been running through my head lately are: I am going to have 2 kids in cribs. And 2 kids who are basically wholly dependent on me. But mainly holy crap I am going to have 2 kids in diapers. This did not phase me until last week when I ordered 2 cases of diapers (probably a monthish worth, I figure) at the same time and almost died at the cost.

For my seasoned mom’s with two kids in diapers – how do you do it? Tricks on getting them at the best price? I prefer to use pampers swaddlers (at the very least, through size 1) or the target brand (although, I am concerned that these are contributing to Aleesia’s ridiculous diaper rash episodes). I’ve been considering cloth but am a little too chicken to bite that bullet (our awesome nanny did say she’s all for helping out there, though, so maybe this is a reasonable option??). Although NOT having to budget $100 a month on diapers/wipes would be fantastic!

Aleesia has been my best friend these days, she wants nothing to do with anyone else when I am home. I am as prepared as I can possibly be when it comes to trying to deal with this while I nurse the baby – I am sure it’s going to be tricky at first and she is going to be upset. We have a few things that she likes to do and she has been great at starting to play independently as of late so maybe that will also work to my advantage. Any tips or tricks that I should also be keeping up my sleeve for particularly difficult nursing sessions?

Gianna is like a little mother hen (who has recently been offering to change Aleesia’s diapers and help get her dressed for me!) and I am hopeful that the baby will come right before she starts her Christmas break so she can help ease Aleesia into her new big sister role. She can’t stinking WAIT for her new sister to get here – it’s adorable how excited she gets when she talks about it.

I had a freaking HARD time adjusting to 2 kids when Aleesia was born but I am fairly confident that this isn’t going to be as difficult (mostly because I won’t have a threenager at home, but a super awesome & helpful five year old) and I am sure it will be a whole different kind of difficult. Other than the diapers and the nursing concerns, I can’t think of anything that really worries me about having 2 fairly small people at home (and 1 bigger small person). But what am I being naïve about? Shoot me straight! Tell me what I need to hear.

The countdown is officially on (as in, people ask me regularly if I am going to go ahead and give birth right in front of them), nesting is in full force and THIS MONTH (please God, it needs to be this month!) we are going to bring home a new baby.