Life of a Mom with Kids Close in Age
Every wonder what it would feel like to have twins? I would have loved to have twins. I think it would have been easier than having two children 14 months apart. With twins they would be on the same schedule. They would most likely sleep at the same time, eat at the same time, play and grow on the same path, with the same toys. Try having two children so young and so close in age that they both depend on you for everything, yet NOT twins and on complete different schedules. Welcome to my world.
I first found out I was pregnant with my second daughter when my first was only 5 months old. That’s right. It was only the second time my husband and I had even had sex since her birth. Imagine having a 5 month old infant in your arms while starring at a positive pregnancy test. Shocked and overwhelmed was my first reaction. Once I passed the first stage I had to tell my husband. Who was even more intrigued as to how it happened…literally I had to explain it to him.
Once over the initial shock we were happy to be pregnant. Although, I was so focused on my baby, I mean I was after all still a brand new mom, that the pregnancy just flew by and before I knew it I had a 12 month old little baby girl and was about to give birth to my second. Panic set in. How was I suppose to carry two babies around? If they were both newborns I may have been able to handle it but having a toddler not walking yet and a newborn unable to lift her head I was at a lost. So I started to shop for any product that was available for moms who had children 12-15 months apart. Come to find out…there aren’t many of us out there! I began to worry and really work with my daughter on walking. I NEEDED her to walk before my second baby came. But even if she did start walking was that really going to help? A 14 month old walking is still so young and clumsy. I couldn’t count on that. Then my mind started to race…….How would I go grocery shopping? I would normally put the newborn in the seat while still in her carrier…but then where would my 14 month old go? In the cart? Where would the groceries go? And doctor’s visits! Newborns go to the doctor so often. Was I suppose to drag them both with me each time? I mean I took my oldest to the OB visits with my legs all up in the air. I guess I could, but then I would spend all the time in there. Between two kids so young I would never leave! Can they make appointments for multiple kid families at the same time?
After those apprehensions faded away I saw a whole new set come on. I’m getting the nursery ready for our new arrival and as I take the crib away from the 13 month old and try to transition her into a toddler bed I realize, a crib isn’t the only thing they BOTH would/should have or need. I’m going to have two in diapers! But can I go to the store and buy one huge box? Can I order them through wholesale like I would have probably done with twins. Nope….I will have two kids in diapers in two different sizes! I’ll have one on a bottle and one on my boob! And what about that! How do I explain to a child that young about breastfeeding? How do I explain to a child that young anything about being a sister! With twins that’s all you know. When you’re an older toddler you can understand a little more. There is no “explaining” to a 14 month old infant. Just isn’t going to happen.
So I buckled down and learned what I was going to have to do so I was more prepared. I drove around my town and found out every grocery store that had “new mother and young children” parking. I found every grocery store that had carts made for 2 or more kids. I bought a baby sling to give me more freedom. I bought my daughter a baby and showed her how mommy would feed her with her breasts. I bought a van with automatic doors so when I was carrying two children I didn’t need to worry about having a 3rd hand to open the doors. I switched pediatricians to someone who was willing and excited to work with me about having two so young. I finally thought to myself, I can do this and I did.
My second daughter was born and I was prepared. Well I thought I was. Once she was here a whole new set of problems presented themselves…..but that’s a whole other story.
