I remember watching a family with seven kids file into the restaurant that I worked at while I was in college. The parents looked young, maybe thirty. My friend Nicole and I stood at the end of the bar gawking at them.
"Can you imagine?" Nicole said.
"No" I replied.
We watched as the hosts struggled with two high chairs, a booster and an endless pile of crayons. We both sighed in relief at the fact that we were bar tending that night, and therefore didn't have to take the "Chuck E. Cheese table", which is what we all lovingly called any table with more than three kids. "Who's gonna wear the rat costume today?"
"It's my goal in life to never own a double stroller." Those were my infamous words.
I have to find a new goal in life, since I am in the market for a double stroller. My son is not quite nine months old and I am pregnant. I'm not going to go into the details, but it is a "surprise". I figure the positive is that if I'm nursing and pregnant that my calorie intake can be somewhere in the hundred thousands. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but I figure anything with some nutritional content is game. Other positives? Hmmmmm.
- I can bathe both the little monkeys together, as soon as the baby can sit up.
- I have plenty of baby equipment.
- They'll be able to occupy one another, since they are so close in age.
Negatives..... - let just say I am ready to fax my application into "Supernanny". If you haven't seen that show, every episode features a family with too many children under the age of six.
- My sister's friend mentioned that I will be in "diaper hell". I know she is right.
- Overall I'm in danger of losing my mind.
Despite my worry regarding the situation, I am excited. I realize that a lot of people try very hard to get pregnant and never succeed. I've been lucky enough to just stumble into a pregnancy. A week ago this baby was not even a thought, but now she is a burgeoning presence. My heart is filled with hope for her, with love. Two years ago Barrett was not even a thought either, but now he is my little redheaded sidekick. He gives big open-mouthed kisses and tries to follow me everywhere. I want, more than anything, to be a good mommy to them both.
Tandem
or side by side? I've got a few months to decide.
12 comments:
Congratulations on your new baby on the way! I would like to cast a vote for the side by side stroller simply because nothing is cuter than two cute babies side-by-side.
I am giggling!! The things we say we'll never say! OK really some people say it is the best thing to have them so close. They can play together forever! And when you have #3 they will have each other to keep occupied. And then when you have #4 they can both help with that one too as well as #5 , LOL!
It cut off my words!! I said #5 & #6!
Congratulations, baby sister! I am so happy for you!
p.s. Please make sure this one looks more like me than the last one does.
Since I am Meemaw I say, "Bring 'em on!" You are a wonderful mom and I am very proud of that. You will do fine.
Congratulations on the new baby! Everything will work out for you.
Yea! Congrats Audrey! How exciting to be adding a new little one. Dan will have one more baby to love too.
I think I havent congratulate you yet!!! So, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I got preggo with my third when my second was 5 months old!!! So, 5 months after a severe pre-e, I was dealing with doctors telling me that I needed a termination for medical reasons!! Thank God I didnt listen, and here is my precious baby!!!
Things are difficult sometimes, but I know it will pay off later!!!
I think the side by side would be harder to get through aisles. And the other one will hold the car seat I believe! CONGRATS!!
Thanks to everyone for your positive words. I will take your opinions regarding a side by side vs. tandem to heart :-)
Ha! No, you won't lose your mind. We'll both just be tired for 2 years straight.
The stroller option: I think the one-behind-the-other one is good because you can probably lay the seats back for naps (oh how precious naps will be!)
:) I feel your "pain"! Although for some reason, the diaper issue doesn't really bug me....
yet.
First off, Congrats on the pregnancy!!!
Second, double diaper duty isn't all that bad. You are so used to changing diapers that it really didn't faze me much.
Third, definitely go with the tandem stroller. Most of them will let you snap in the infant carrier. You also don't wanna have to worry about your "big kid" bothering your "little kid". When I had Ellianna I couldn't get Ethan to keep his hands off of her. The tandem stroller I had was nice because you could have both kids facing the same direction or turn around the front seat so they can face each other. The seats also reclined for napping. The side-by-side ones can be hard to get through doorways and aisles in stores too.
Fourth, Having kids close in age can be stressful sometimes but it is also wonderful. I have four kids under age 6. They play great together and keep each other busy, but they do fight sometimes. I think that's normal for any siblings, regardless of the age gap. I'm sure you'll do fine.
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