Irish Twins (Or Close to It)

Relax, Relax....think....by the time baby #2 comes along baby #1 will be almost 2... and baby #2 won't need a high chair right away....at that point you could start introducing a booster seat at the table for baby #1....and the eventually use the high chair for baby #2....got to think of space....2 seater stoller is fine...you don't have to get a mini van...I didn't get mine until baby #3...that's when I really needed it...but, you are ok...won't need a second crib right away...and it's up to you if you want the two in the same room....mine stayed in the same room for a few years and then the both went into there own....nothing you have to do right away. you are just in shock right now that you are pregnant and had no clue....first one was planned right down to the last second....so, enjoy it and good luck...

K. g

Hi R.,
Congratulations!! My son was 6 months when I found out I was pregnant. I was shocked and scared to death. We wanted another baby. But it took forever with my son so we thought it would take forever again. Ops!
Being pregnant was difficult. The worse part was labor becuase I hated being away from my son for the entire day. I missed him like crazy.
But you get thru it. They are 2 1/2 yrs and 16mos now. They are best friends (a boy & girl). The first year was impossible. I didn't sleep, I felt guilty all the time that neither of them was getting enough of me. But apparently that both got exactly what they needed becuase they are amazing babies now. My daughter walked at 9 mos wich was actually awesome becuase before she could walk she was clingy and then she became independent.
It's actually easier now, I think becuase they like the same things. They LOVE to take care of each other. They play together and I find time to load the dishwasher. They get into trouble together. They are unwrapping the present under the tree as we speak. They hate to be apart so if anyone takes one the have to take both or they cry for each other.

As far as gear, you wont need a highchair until the new baby is 6 months. Then you can transition your 2 yr old to a boster (the are $20 at walmart) They strap on to your kitchen chair. They are great! YOU definitley need a double stroller and unfortuantley they are all aweful. I got the Graco and it is as good as they get. Mine do not share a room. I kept my daughter in with me in a cradle until she was 6 mos ( she was small) and then I transition my son to a bed and gave my daughter the crib. He loved it. We let him pick it out. GOt him lots of cool bedding. They do just fine.
I did have to get a new car. I had a Toyota Rav4 and got a Buick Rendezous (it has the 3rd row and is wider). I put the seats nest to each other and still have room for my dog or a person. It works great. They hold hand when they fall asleep in the car. I love looking in the rearview and seeing them asleep and holding hands. Actually I love seeing them asleep anytime LOL
If you can make it thru the year you will be in great shape. I sometimes miss that I did not get to enjoy her first year more. But they are both so happy and well adjusted I am just really grateful things worked out the way they did.
Good Luck to you and your family! You'll do just fine and feel free to email me if you need help with anything!
E.
PS you'll need a baby carrier Snugli. If you do not have one yet email me. We don't use our anymore, you can have it.

Oh my....what a wonderful adventure. My oldest 2 are 15 months apart. and it was a shock when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter....I was still nursing my son. ANd yes, double strollers, shared rooms, I had them both in diapers at the same time for a little bit....6 months or so. I gave my son his own baby so had some sort of idea as how to take care of a baby. I didn't have 2 high chairs the oldest used a booster. I didn't get a mini van til I had the third, which was very helpful when I had the fourth...lol Justin is 19 1/2 and a freshman in college, Miranda is 18 and also a freshman in college....people think they are twins cause they are in the same grade.\, Kyle is 16 1/2 and a junior in HS and Savanna will be 14 in Jan and she is a fresh in HS. They are all good friends and watch out for each other. And silly me had 2 more when Savanna was 8...

R. - My first two are 16 months apart (two boys) and it's great - some days totally overwhelming but overall great. I used two cribs but didn't buy the second until the second baby was born - I knew I wouldn't need it until he was a few months old. I used two because I wanted (& needed) my oldest to have a safe place to be if I needed to tend to the baby or so I could shower, etc. Plus I wanted him to continue napping and I was afraid he would stop if I moved him to a big boy bed. Naptime was "my time" that first year. My oldest didn't move out of his crib until he was almost three and he went right into a regular twin so that was the right move for me. I also had a double stroller & it was a lifesaver. Again, I didn't buy it until my second was born because I used the single stroller & baby bjorn in the first few months but once the baby could hold himself upright (around four months) I started using the double stroller. I did not buy another high chair - the oldest was in a booster by the time the baby need a high chair. They do share a room (they are four & five now) and it works great. I think having a vehicle with a third seat when you have three children is a great idea - that way everyone has their own space. I didn't want the one & a half year old next to the baby in the car - especially with the baby facing backwards. Good luck & enjoy. I love having all these little boys in my life!

Wow I had the same thing happen to me... However my doughter was only 5 months old... My girls are 14 months apart to the day!!! I think sometimes fertility drugs get nature going!! the first year can be trying but after that it gets easier!! My girls are very close and are best of friends now! They are now 9 and 10!!! Happy diapering!!! As far as 2 of everything.... i did not do it too expensive .... Children never do everything at the same time!! Best advise... GO WITH THE FLOW!!! Children tend to lead us in the right direction whether we like it or not!!!

H.

R., Congratulations, I have 4 kids they are now in there teens, except for the youngest who is 8. My first two where 17 months apart.So the moment I found out I was pregnant. I started working with the oldest on his bed arrangement. We bought a toddler bed and put it in his room, and called it the big boy bed. We left him in the crib but if he showed interest in the bed I would let him lay in it. By the time I was six months pregnant He was taking his naps in the bed and then decided he wanted to sleep there. We also encouraged that he was very soon going to be a big brother. I do think that having a double stroller though was worth buying. Buy one though that is easy to set up. I used ours for ever. I only had one high chair , we once again bought one of those toddler chairs that sat on top of our regular kitchen chairs. Sorry for the long note. If you have any other concerns just ask. I will say it is so much fun with the boys now. I am so glad they are close in age. Enjoy your time with your one year old now. Don't get to stressed about the next one it works out great. C.

Well, congratulations! You will certainly have a lot of action when the next one comes along. And do get ready to double up on everything! My husband and I adopted 2 children in 2005. Because my daughter was 2 1/2 months premature (they are natural siblings), she and my son are 3 days short of being eight months apart! They were able to share a room for awhile, but when my son was almost 4, we separated them. We did have two of all the other essentials (highchairs, car seats, a double stroller). We lucked out on the cribs, though, because my son went into a twin bed at two, and we were able to give back the crib we had borrowed when he came to live with us. Good luck with your boys, and begin storing up your patience.

Actually Irish Twins are under 1 year apart! Which I have, I have two boys that are 11 months and 1 day apart. I found out I was pregnant with my fourth child when my third was just 10 weeks old!!! My older children are 17 months apart and I only had one high chair and the like. You will be amazed the progress your older child will make in the next 9 months before the baby arrives and besides by the time the baby needs a high and all the older boy will me even older. So more than likely will only be needing a booster seat. They make strollers now with a sit and stand. A traditional stroller for the baby with a standing place on the back for an older child. There are so many options these days with strollers that you can do almost anything. But you will most likely need a double stroller of some kind or another because a two year old is probably not mature enough to be walking with you in stores and the like. And with a baby to worry about you don't need to be worried about where the older child is. I bought a mini van after the fourth child. I suppose it all depends on the car you have now and how two car seats and an older child will fit in your back seat. I sure it will be tight. I love my mini van!!! The biggest difference I think you will notice between these two and your older child will be the friendship they will form. My children are 12 and 11, then 2 and 3. The two sets are sooooo close to each other. Good Luck.

Congrats! My girls are 23 months apart - I got pregnant with my second when my oldest was 14 months. I was terrified at first! It took much longer with my first so I thought we were starting early and would have to wait 6 months, but no! People will make comments and think you're nuts, but it all happens for a reason. It is very hectic at first, and for that whole first year, I assume (my youngest is now only 6 months) but it has been great to see the two of them now interacting and enjoying each other.

Anyway, I found that I didn't need two of any of that stuff, though mine are a little further apart than yours will be, but not that much! My oldest grew out of the high chair about 3 months before the baby was born, so it wasn't an issue. You could even use a little booster seat at the regular table for the older one if you need the high chair once your new baby is ready. We put the baby in the bassinet for the first 3 months and used that time to transition the oldest to a bed. Just be sure to drive the point home heavily that the crib is for the baby and the big bed is for the "big kid" before the baby needs the crib so your older one doesn't get too jealous. My girls share a room and it's worked out fine so far because my oldest is an awesome sleeper and doesn't wake up if the baby cries. The only thing I would have done differently is get a double stroller for malls, stores, etc. I have a double jog stroller but not one that would fit the car seat and my two-year old. My oldest likes walking everywhere but she does get tired and a double stroller would have helped many times over the past six months! I'd look on craigslist - people sell them all the time.

Good luck and feel free to write me back if you need moral support! It will be fine!

My girls are 2 years a 1 month apart.... Since the baby doesnt use the high chair yet, i dont need another one.. BY the time she will, My oldest daughter wont be she'll be sittin in the chair at the table when we eat with us. A double stroller will deffintly come in handy im sure! I didnt need 2 cribs either. The baby is still in basinet and before the baby came we started puttin our oldest in her "big girl" bed,(toddler bed) so we could aviod the 2 cribs stuff! good luck an congrats!

I do not have irish twins but I am one myself. My younger brother and I are 10 months apart! They will probably be very close and it will be a lot of fun for them! Although I'm not sure about the rest of your questions I wish you all the best and I can tell you I would get a mini van I have one and LOVE mine!

Hi R.,

My kids (my son is now 19 & daughter 18)are 1 year and 9 days apart. At the time, my husband traveled alot but I don't remember feeling overwhelmed. I kept to schedule and things never seemed to get too hectic. I had two cribs and they slept in the same room. By the time my daughter was ready for the high chair, we used a booster seat with a tray for my son. I used a double stroller the seats behind each other. My fondest memory was going to the market. My son would sit in the front and my daughter would be in the cart in her portable car seat with the groceries around her. When she moved up to the front seat, my son would sit in the grocery cart helping to "safe guard" the grocery items that were placed around him!!. Hope this helps and good luck!

My son will be one next week, so I can only imagine being in your shoes! Friends we met in our birthing class had their Daughter last Nov. and they are now due in April! YIKES! But my cousin had fertility problems. She first begame pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl.. lets just say she opened Pandoras Box!!! Right after she had her twins, she got prego again,then again right after that.. so she had 4 children under 4! I would say you will probably need to get a double stroller, or at least, use a bijorn w/ the little one and a stoller for your second youngest! They have great consignment shops now, so I would check that out for new items you may need!

hey R.

congrats!!!......i have a girl and boy 15 months apart and planned it tht way......to me it's great....we'll all be able to do things together pretty much the same interests at the same time besides the boy and girl differences.....my oldest was out of her crib at 13 months and my youngest he was out at 10 months.....so i guess that depends how long your 1yr old will be in the crib...i just used the same crib..a double stroller is a life saver in my opinion.....we have a mazda5 its like a small mini van i never thought i'd have one but i love it!!.....but as long as you can fit the 3 kids i'm sure you can have just about any car.....either way you'll adjust just try and relax and enjoy your pregnancy.....you'll find your 1 year old will want to help with the new baby....which is good and bad...but i found giving little jobs makes them feel important which of course is important....good luck and happy holidays!!B.

R.,
I have 3 kids they are 9,8,6 now. At my Oldest daughters 1st birthday I announced that I was having our second baby and I was nervous about it. I ended up moving my older child up into a booster seat and putting the baby in the high chair when he was ready. And when my son was born 21 months after my daughter I used a bassinette until he was older and then I bought him another crib it worked better that way. Then my third child was born 1 week less than 24 months from my son. so In total there is 4 years between my oldest and my youngest. And everyone thought I was crazy and I love it. I was out of diapers faster and now they are close enough that they are great friends. I love the 2 year age difference or less. Good luck with everything. I also did get a double stroller and they had separate rooms until the third came and now the girls share a room. I was anti minivan and with three kids I have never had to get one.

My first two boys are 19 months apart. I too was shocked, but it was just terrific. Yes, labor intensive, but I figured it was a "season" of my life which now seems very far away. Ignore people's shock; it will be fine. You will want a double stroller. You might be able to get a booster seat for a high chair for the older one and let the little one have the high chair. My younger one slept in his Graco playpen for several months until my older one moved to a junior bed. You don't necessarily need a van-just a back seat! It will be fine........I went on to have a third! :)

Congrats to you first off R.. I find this interesting, cause you are the 3rd person that I have heard of having another baby when the one before is only one year old. Just do the math as to when your baby will need to be in the highchair and out of the other one. I would invest in a double stroller, for your sanity purposes. But I wouldnt run out and buy a 2nd over everything. Your one yr old will be giving this stuff up soon enough. Having 3 kids I would think a mini van would be ideal. One day at a time, and best of luck!

Your news is wonderful! I have "Irish Twins": July 6th (female) and July 8th (male). Yes I had two of most everything. They shared a room till 5years old. They are now best of friends being young adults.

I'll tell you what we have in our house.

My son was 15 months old when my daughter was born. My daughter was 18 months old when my second son was born. They are now 3 years 1 month, 22 months, and almost four months.

It's chaotic, but it IS doable. Let me tell you a little bit about my observations:

You don't need to double up on high chairs. Get your older child a booster seat to sit directly at the table. Same with cribs. By the time your new baby is ready to transition to a crib at night, your son will be more than old enough for a toddler or regular bed (we moved my son directly to a new big boy bed).

A double stroller is an absolute blessing. I have the Peg Perego Twin Aria and it's a life saver. I hate the tandem strollers (the ones that are front and back). They are much too heavy and awkward to use in my opinion.

We just switched from a small SuV (5 seats) to a minivan. It was a lifesaver, I tell you. It is absolutely impossible to cram three carseats across and expect there not to be massive fighting. You'll have a seven year old in a booster seat as well as two little ones in carseats so if you can swing it and you don't want to go completely insane, I recommend a vehicle with a third row!

Robin,
My boys are 2 years apart, now 1 1/2 and 3 1/2. Yes you will need 2 high chairs and I couldn't survive without a double stroller. Another crib will also be necessary, unless your oldest shows signs of getting out of the crib. Personally, we bought cribs that converted into double beds for both of them. And if you have the room, definately separate bedrooms. Our little one talks in his sleep, so he doesn't wake his brother. Good luck, I know what you are in for, but I personally wouldn't want it any other way......

I'm kinda in the same situation. After my first son was born, they told me it was a miricle I even had him and would need IVF to have another if at all. After five years I was blessed with a little girl, and then thirteen months later another son. We did the IVF inbetween my first and second with no luck. Then it just happily happened.
Yes, three carseats do not fit in a Ford Taurus. Minivan is the easiest way to go. Unless you like the idea of an SUV, with someone sitting rear facing. Double strollers are a must, if you plan on walking anywhere. The crib is just a matter of preference. I had my daughter in a toddler bed for naps at ten months, then at perminantly at thirteen months when her brother was born. It worked out good for me. My daughter loved the thought of being big, like her older brother. Every kid is different though. You can still keep them in the crib a bit longer, if you use a bassenet for the new baby. Once my youngest was sleeping through the night we moved him from sharing a room with his sister, to sharing with his brother. She is now two, and understands a bit of her body, and doesn't like boys in her room. They share fine when sleeping. It's just all the little toys an almost seven year old has (legos), that really make things difficult.
It's really not so bad. You have a big helper with the oldest, and the middle one wants to do the same (mini mom), and the baby for cuddling. Sometimes it's hectic, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Forget all the routeens you had. It is so hard to schedule anything without atleast an hour before and after. Be sure to nap whenever you can, wether their are other things you could do. If you can do it with the kids around, nap first. And then take it one day at a time.
I am so glad for you. It's such a wonderful thing to have kids. And to see a new dinamic with three ages is so different than I ever could have expected. Thankfully my kids like each other enough to always want to be with each other. It's a fun kind of crazy I am proud to be a part of.
Good Luck. Don't stress about it. It will all work out.

:) R., I have two boys who are 20 months apart. Almost everyone has asked me if they are twins, especially now that they are in school. Even their doctor confuses them at times. What we did was to have a double stroller for when we went out for walks. I did not have the issue of two cribs because I got a bassinet for my second son. Then I transitioned him to the crib when my second son went to a toddler bed. It was a little more smoother that way. My boys have shared a room since the baby was about 8 months old. I can't seperate them to sleep no matter what I have tried since then. They are each other's best friend and on some days, worse enemies. They will stick up for each other to other people even if they are angry with each other over something. The diaper stage was a little tricky, but I found it not that bad since I only packed one diaper bag and just had stuff for both of them in it. As for high chairs, we never used more than one. We got my oldest a booster seat for the table that strapped to the chair. It came with a removable front so that he could eat off his 'new high chair' like he did when he was in the other one. It worked out great because when he got a little bigger we just took off the top and he was good to go on being a good boy at the table. I found looking back that it was nice to have them so close together. My boys have bonded really well. Good luck with this pregnancy! I think it will go better than you can imagine. I know that ours did. :) C.

To make you feel better I have 3 kids (6, 4, and 2) They definately keep me busy. It was tough for the first few months, but once we got into a routine we made it. My kids are all withtin 18 months of eachother. Take it as a blessing, I had 2 boys to begin with also. I was very overwhelmed with the whole idea of being pregnant again! As soon as I found out it was my little princess everything else fell into place. Remember things happen for a reason and I could not imagine my life without my 3 angels. Oh yeah, I have minivan. I am a 28 year old proud owner of a minivan! I wouldn't waste your money on a double stroller, I never used mine and I had 3 kids under 3 when she was born. I used a front pack ALOT! Believe it or not I am adventurous enough to take my 3 kids to Disney in December!

Good Luck,

Sam

Hi there,i have some experience.My daughter just turned 2 and my son is now 5 months.I didn't need 2 high chairs because she is at that age where she is getting independent and wants to sit at table this last couple months.You may need 2 cribs or a cradle for baby and then maybe pack and play.It just depends.My daughter is not ready to sleep in a bed yet,but everyone is different,some are ready earlier than others.You may need the minivan cause it would be a bit of a squash with 2 carseats and another child.A double stroller is also handy because your toddler will be running off it you let him walk.I just find it easier to have them both strapped in.Hope this helps and good luck.

Congrads on being pregnant again. I know it's overwhelming to have two so close together.
I would hold off on buying another crib until closer to your due date my son went into a toddler bed before he was two, I would try to transition him into the toddler bed about a month before the baby is born if you don't feel like he's ready ask a friend to borrow a crib for awhile. As far as the high chair goes you could get one of those booster seats so he can sit at the regular table, and the new baby won't be sitting in it for the first few months anyway so you don't need two high chairs.
I would probably go for a double stroller depending on how much you think you'll use it. YOu can check consignment stores or Craigs list to help save you some money on it. I just bought a used one and it's in great condition.
I think your biggest expense will be a bigger car. My husband and I have a 3 year old and i'm having a baby in Jan. We decided to get a minivan for the extra space(remember little kids take up lots of space with car seats, strollers, diaper bags, and toys when you travel)and if you take your first child places he'll probably have friends with im from time to time.
Good luck with evrything and relax. You'll be all right.