Second Child - Provo,UT

Our first was just 6 days shy of turning 3 when we had our second.

The one thing I wish I was told is to NOT invest in the same items we used for our first. Our children are as similar as night and day. Our first LOVED to be swaddled, so for the second we got a bunch of new swaddles. Our second lasted one week in them. She hasn't been swaddled since. Same with bottle nipple brands and pacifiers. Just because it worked on the first doesn't mean it will work on the second.

At least the homeless shelter will score on some once used baby items! :)

Best of luck!!

My daughter was 3 when I was pregnant with my 2nd child.
My kids are spaced 4 years apart.
Just so happened.
It is perfect.

I, when pregnant, did not make it 'my' pregnancy, but incorporated her into it and explained, Mommy's pregnancy 'phases'. I explained I get tired, tummy grows, I will need to nap etc., that we will take photos of her each month with my growing belly which she loved, that she is always 'my first baby...', she sang to her baby brother in my tummy, talked to him, we napped together etc. So, all in all, she was bonded... with her baby brother already and used to him, even before he came home from the hospital. It is, 'prepping' your eldest child, so that they adjust, well. Once baby comes home.
Explaining that once home, a baby will cry, wake, I will nurse him, but it is Mommy's 'job' and she does not have to worry nor do I expect her to act older or more perfect, than she is.

So, it is prep work, for your eldest, while you are pregnant, and after.
So that they adjust to "their" new baby too, in the house and them not being an only child, for those previous years.

Having 2 kids... will be busier.
My Advice is:
The Husband has to help, more. If he is not already with the one child.
You will need to be organized.
Have a routine, daily for both.
TALK to your Husband, before baby is born and while you are pregnant, so that he knows, that he has to help more and spend time with the eldest... too. And so that, the eldest will be used to that. And per bedtimes etc., one Spouse will need to get the older one to bed, and you with the infant etc.

My daughter LOVES having a sibling. Loves her little brother. When he was born she told everyone "Mommy had brother for me...." even if that is not what we told her. But that is how she felt. It was real heartwarming.
She adores, her sibling.
AND, the upshot was, that she was old enough by then... to understand things better, and it was easier for me... that way. Because, she was not still in diapers and what not.

Having 2 kids is great.
Our family is complete.
For the kids and us.

Take pictures!!! Have pictures taken of you while pregnant...you never know if it will be the last time and the kids will love to see your baby belly in the years to come.

Take pictures of baby number 2. You will be sooooo busy (in a good way-most of the time) with two kids that when you look back, you will realize you took 400 pictures in the 1st 6 months of baby number 1 and poor baby number 2 has 4!!!

And get some rest because you will need it.

In about 2 years, your kids will be best friends hanging out and playing and you will smile, smile, smile!

Ditto everything that Michelle M. said. Plus, take some pictures of your daugther with your growing belly. Our daughter was 3 1/2 when our son was born. I have a few pictures of her kissing my (shirt covered) pregnant belly. I also have a couple of pictures of her "showing" her brother pictures she drew for him, and pictures of me with stickers on my shirt (stickers she was sharing with him). Take LOTS of pictures.

Some of the hardest parts were when I was first pregnant & SO tired, I just wanted to take a nap & she wanted to play or read stories. We would usually lay on the couch together & she'd watch Sesame Street & I'd take a quick nap. Also, after he was born, and not sleeping through the night yet, I was always wanting to take a nap instead of playing with her. We found that we'd have our together time while the baby was taking his morning nap, and then I'd get a little nap during his afternoon nap & I'd let her watch something on PBS for 30 minutes or so. I used to be one of those moms that didn't want TV to be used as a "babysitter," but after my 2nd was born, sometimes you just have to have a little break to take a nap or even get a quick shower in. It has gotten easier as they both got older. Now she is in morning Kindergarten & so our son gets me all to himself in the morning, and after lunch when he's down for his nap, we do homework, and read together. We also do fun "girly" things, like little spa days - pedicures & facials.

They are best friends now & play together all the time. They share a room & if you ask them, they ALWAYS want to share a room "forever & ever!" We'll see how long that lasts...when she's 10, I'm sure she'll be singing a different tune! :-) He wants to be just like his sister. Copying EVERYTHING she does, good or bad. It is so fun to watch them play together.

Also, we kept all of our baby toys & stuff, so in a way he was cheaper. They used the same infant car seat, bouncy seat, bathtub, plain onsies, toys, books, etc.

We always wanted 2, and now that I've got both of my angels (most of the time, devils sometimes) we feel that our family is complete. I wouldn't trade any of the stress & any other bad things that come along with having 2 kids for ANYTHING!

Shellie

PS. Get used to doing things differently, and having your house in a constant state of semi-chaos. I used to be so organized & have my house picked up and cleaned all the time. Then, after our son was born, there's now 2 to make the mess, 2x more laundry & dishes, 2x more noses to wipe & boo boos to kiss, etc. I had to change up my house cleaning strategies & learn to play with my kids instead of cleaning up all the time. I'm now even more on a cleaning "schedule" than I was before. It has made things a lot easier.

Perfect time! My daughter just turned 3 when my son was born (4 and 1). It is great! She loves to help and actually is a big help! She makes him laugh and they are just now getting to the point where they can run and play together! Wouldn't do it anyother way. Just remember to take one on one time with each child everyday (doesn't have to be long, it's about quaility not quantity). Other than that enjoy and relax! These are great years! Good luck!

Make sure you vidio tape the whole time if you have your baby at the hospital! My epidural I had was done by a dr. working overtime and he messed up hitting bone and I,ve had chronic back pain ever since! The hospital denies that what happened ruined my spine and No Dr.s will let you know theres no cure for this and Wont give out pain pills. So you will suffer and wont be able to work! This pain causes spinal headaches, stiff joints, and you start to haunch over and feel 90 yrs old! Im curious if this has happened to other women out there who are also denied any relief? If I had a tape of what happened and how much he hurt me I think things would be different.