Coming Home from the Hospital

Bringing our babies home from the hospital was always SUCH a feeling of relief for me. No more poking and prodding and being woken up by nurses every 2 hours! Woohoo! 

This feeling was amplified x100 when I was able to bring Jasper home after our weeklong hospital stay following his birth. It was the LONGEST week of my life, and I have a huge appreciation for any NICU mamas out there or moms of babies with any health issues. You ladies are STRONG. 

Coming home is a relief! 

But it can also be a little scary.

I was excited and nervous to see how my 15-month-old daughter (Brynlee) would react to her baby brother. I knew deep down that she would love him, but she was young, and I was kind of scared she’d poke his eye out. 

Turns out she didn’t really give a hoot about the baby at first; she was just glad to have her mommy back! 

Home alone with Two under Two

Being home with both of my babies was one of the best feelings ever. It was hard when they both wanted me at the same time, but my husband was there to help. 

And then he had to go back to work…

Sharing mom

The biggest struggle I faced in those early weeks with my 2 under 2 was caring for my babies who both often needed/wanted me at the same time. 

Each family will face their own unique issues in balancing their young one’s needs. In the evenings, my two often wanted only me; leaving my husband unable to help like he wanted to, and me trying to juggle both babies. 

Urgent vs. Important

Since my days were spent with both children needing me simultaneously, I often had to choose which child’s needs were more urgent. Dirty diapers came before nursing the baby, and soothing the crying gassy baby came before settling the toddler for her nap. 

There were so many times when both would fuss or cry, and I’d have to make that split-second decision of who’s needs were more urgent.  I didn’t always make the perfect choice, and there was a lot of whining and crying in my life during the early weeks. But we survived. 

You have to do what works for YOU. 

The early weeks/months of life with 2 under 2 are spent in survival mode. At least that’s how it was for me. But taking it hour by hour and day by day makes it doable. Focus on the task at hand and remind yourself that every week will be easier as your children get older. 

It won’t always be pretty.

Instant oatmeal, microwaved lunches out of the freezer, and a thrown together freezer supper. 

Crying babies, huge feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion. 

Leaky boobs, covered in spit up, toddler wiped her face on your pants. 

I promise, it will get easier. 

Your biggest enemy right now is yourself. 

You HAVE TO think positively.

Wallowing in your overwhelm, complaining to friends, dwelling on the things that aren’t how you wished. These things won’t help you. YOU are the only person who can control your attitude, you can choose to make the best of your days or be miserable. 

Choose to stay positive and keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

The first weeks are HARD. But one day you’ll blink and realize that you’re doing it, and it’s easier.

Tips to Getting Through Tough Days

• Put on upbeat, uplifting, or inspirational music.
• Light a candle or diffuse an essential oil (lavender before baby’s nap time is my favorite!)
• Let go of your to-do list. Laundry and dishes can wait- focus on the essentials: Feed the kids, eat something yourself. Change the diapers. Don’t let the house burn down.
• Call for help: even if you can only get someone to sit with the kids for 30 minutes while you take a shower, DO IT. And don’t feel guilty about it.
• Nap when the kids nap: this can be hard, especially if your toddler and baby won’t nap at the same time. But on the rare occasion that they do- take advantage of it and sleep!
• Get out of the house. Some days all you really need is a change of scenery. If you have somewhere to go (mom’s house, and friend’s house, etc.…) do it!

For more tips on getting through tough days with a baby, check out this post.