I have been thinking what life will be like with two young babies ever since I saw that positive pregnancy test last June! I have had a game plan in place as I know it is completely expected for life to feel upside down in those early days as you adjust to a new normal. I find those sweet yet exhausting newborn memories flooding back to me the closer we get to his arrival! I wanted to share what we are doing to prepare for Dawson and to prepare Juliette for her new role as big sister.
Juliette is well aware that I have a baby in my belly. She caught on real quick! She is always giving brother (aka, my belly!) toys, snacks, check-ups with her doctor kit, and tons of kisses. She loves going into his nursery and scoping out all of his tiny baby things. Whenever she names off family members she always includes him. We started reading books about being a big sister and about babies when I was a few months along.
I had a checklist of things I wanted to prepare for this transitional period after bringing Dawson home. Juliette and I do activities and crafts almost every single day and I knew in a new mombie state it would be harder for me to coordinate and prepare our usual fun. I preplanned a ton of activities and even prebagged some activities and trinkets that either I or my husband could quickly grab and set out at her little table, for example give her an activity for while I am getting the hang of breastfeeding again. I tried to plan things that she doesn’t do too often or are new so they’re more exciting and entertaining for her during this time.
Examples of activities I have preplanned and set aside:
+ New coloring books and coloring tools
+ Lacing cards
+ Paint with water books
+ Flash cards / matching cards
+ Miscellaneous dollar store toys / trinkets
+ New puzzles, some with wrapped pieces (an activity she loves!)
+ Magnet wands with magnets
+ New books
+ Felt playmats
I also thought about what I wanted Dawson to give her for her big sister gift! She absolutely loves taking care of her babydolls so I thought getting her a boy babydoll that she can love on and take care of while I take care of Dawson would be perfect! I ordered this one off of Amazon and it also came with some accessories.
I knew it would be extremely important to involve and include Juliette in every way we can and honestly, I am not worried about that at all! She already loves to be my big helper and I know she will love to be hands on with her baby brother as well. I am extremely thankful that my husband will be home for six weeks after Dawson is born. It is important to me that we stick to Juliette’s routine as much as possible and that we each spend one on one time with her. I know I am going to need all of his help even more this time around. We are fortunate that both of our families are always willing to help as well.
Nesting kicked in around 28 weeks and has only increased the weeks since! We finished his nursery at week 30 and set up all of his baby equipment during week 33. My hospital bag has been packed (be on the lookout for that post shortly!) and I have all of my postpartum essentials organized in our bathrooms. All of my breastfeeding products and must haves are arranged in my nightstand and in our kitchen. I organized all of my postpartum clothes as well as my nursing bras and tank tops. I turn 35 weeks this week and really what’s left is maintaining the house, keeping up on all of our laundry and miscellaneous tasks that probably don’t NEED to be done but would make me feel better if they were 😉
We are planning on getting groceries as close as possible to the big day – easy to prep things and various foods that I have been looking forward to eating again since being diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. Like turkey and cream cheese on everything bagels and CHOCOLATE! Also, both of our Moms bring us meals which is so helpful and much appreciated.
I asked some seasoned mom’s of multiple babes any advice they had for bringing home a second child. Here are some of their tips:
+ Don’t be afraid to ask for outside help and for meals
+ Don’t get wrapped up in mom guilt
+ Have Dad focus on majority of the caretaking / routine for the older child while you get the hang of breastfeeding baby number two
+ Don’t worry about your house and cleaning for the first while after baby is home
+ Make sure your older child has devoted time / special attention
+ Do NOT feel guilty about screen time for your older child while you adjust to life with two
+ Try and do what you need to do to take care of yourself, get in self care as much as possible
+ Deep clean and organize before the end of your pregnancy or hire a house cleaner to do a deep clean
+ Prep freezer meals ahead of time
+ If your older child gravitates towards Daddy for a while – let them. Don’t feel guilty!
+ In tough moments remember that it won’t always be this way and it will get easier with time
