Just Happy!

My girls are 2 1/2 years apart. I wouldn't have it any other way. They are so very close. Now they are 2 (about to be 3 in one month) and 5. My older child was so interested in every aspect of the baby. She was her mother and not her big sister. In fact she was in the laber room. (let me mention it was much by mistake the baby came too quick, the dr didn't even make it in the room) She was just amazed. The only problem I had was my older child was 100% potty trained and when the new baby came, she started using the bathroom on herself. Other than that it was soom sailing. Now, they get along very well. Since I have two girls close to age, they are interested in just about the same things. They play with just about every thing together. When friends come over, they all play along. As for now, its great.

Great news, E.!

My two oldest are 20 months apart, and we love the age difference. The younger one was always so busy trying to keep up with his brother, I can't remember him ever having a hissy fit.

We really tried to work on our oldest being pretty independent from me before the baby was born, so he didn't freak out that I had less attention to give him. Just small things like having your husband do bath and bedtime, or (gasp!) learn to make him some food that he'll eat (so he isn't shouting "that's not how mommy cuts it!" when you and baby are resting. I ended up being in the hospital for 5 days because of a section (he was breech, and has been doing everything a** backwards since delivery! But lord, he's handsome as the devil and as sweet as they come) so it ended up being imperative that he do without me. Also, I used a front pack like crazy. I'd throw him in the pack, zip my husband's coat over him, and go out to play with the oldest, so his life really didn't change too much.

Good luck with everything and keep us posted!
J.

Congratualtions!!!! I don't think it is too close, this is a good gap. I have a daughter and son and they are 2and 1/2 years apart. They have each other now to play with. My daughter had some issues when my son was born, jealousy, but keep talking to your son and involve him in the process too, he'll be fine.

Congrats to you!! It will be wonderful! Your 3 year old will want to help out and feel so grown-up when you have him help. My two girls are 3 years and 10 days apart. My oldest (Elle) never went through a jealous stage, but every once in awhile she wants me to put the baby down and hold her. But overall it's been great. She will watch the baby for me and play with her. The baby loves for her to give her attention. Good luck!!

I wasn't very happy being pregnant again when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I guess the first time I was so excited because everything was new, and everybody fussed over me because it was my first baby. The second pregnancy was kinda like a "been there, done that" thing. You know the routine, so it doesn't feel as special. Plus, I was taking care of a two year old, just like you, and I could never get the rest and relaxation I could get with my first pregnancy, so I felt miserable most days. It does get better, especially after you have the baby and get settled into a routine with both kids. I know I thought at the beginning of my second pregnancy, "Do I really want to go through this again?", but now everytime I look at my daughter, I wouldn't change it for anything.
If your feelings do get worse, talk to your doctor about it though. You could have pregnancy depression (there's a technical term for it, but I don't remember), it's not talked about a lot, but it happens frequently.

My son turned 3 the day my daughter was born :) It's been great. I think 3 years apart is perfect. They started playing together when my daughter started crawling and now they tear through the house laughing and wrestling and generally jsut having a good time. They are each other's best friend and worst enemy. hehe! :)

So happy and excited for you E. (nice name!). I wanted to tell you something that I did to help my son feel like a part of this whole process....when we made the birth annoucements, we had our son "introduce" his new baby sister as opposed to us. It was a neat way to include him!! I actually wrote a poem and made the annoucements myself including a picture of him holding the new baby...maybe you could even have your son color a picture and then copy it onto the annoucements! Just a thought. Having a second baby is much easier then the first! Take good care and have fun!! E.

Congratulations! I had my two with the same age gap. My daughter will be 5 in June and my son 2 in April. So far...they are the best of friends. The only thing I know that I did is that....I wanted to switch her to a bigger room with a different bed, so I made sure I did it before the baby was born. Any changes you want to make, make them now. And I just talked to her about the baby all the time. Got her excited and told her all the things she was going to be able to do once the baby came. And after he was born, I never really griped at her about being quiet around the baby. I mean, if her noise level got up to where it shouldn't be regardless of the baby, I'd tell her to keep it down....but never mentioned that she needed to be quiet b/c of the baby. I had read in an article once that babies really should learn to adjust to a typical noise level. I don't know if the things I did actually helped, or if they were just destined to get along. I worried constantly about my daughter's feelings and I actually cried a little bit after my son was born, b/c I couldn't believe how in just a matter of days, she had turned from my baby into a big girl. Probably just hormones though! But congratulations again, and I think it's a wonderful age gap!

Congrats! My two children were 28 months apart and it wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be! I did have a little trouble with jealousy from my older child when the new baby came, but besides that it was good.

Well the first thing I'm going to say is be gratefull that they are going to be that far apart. My first 2 babe's were exactly 12mth. to the day and almost to the hour. My 3rd. came 13mths. later, It's not fun. I almost lost my mind,and strength of spirit in the process. If you have a strong supporting man at your side that is willing to walk the full walk with you on this than just sit back and enjoy as much as you can! It's gonna take 2.... But your children will be close,and with a strong man backin' you up- What a strong family you'll make. Good luck,may God bless you all.