Two in two years!

Here we go: we have made the jump from one bambino to two bambino’s ( in 23 months). 

First thoughts .... it’s not as hard as everyone says until Lee went back to work he was home for just shy of 5 weeks! Well saying that our first outing it took us 2 hours to leave the house! How is that even possible? 

Just to put you in the picture my husband works offshore so when he is away we don’t see him for 3 weeks at a time. Therefore I am relating this blog to learning how to cope with two babies when Daddy returns to work weather that is your partner works away or he does a 9 to 5  .... it’s a work in progress!

The lack of sleep:

The sleepless nights aren’t too bad (Lee & I don’t need that much sleep anyway) but I am breastfeeding so Lee would pass me the babe & then go back to sleep. (A perfect way for a dad to help a breastfeeding post c-section mama), he would also get up with Doll in the morning so I could rest! (Sharing the child care load is so important in them first few weeks, mamas need to heal & rest no matter what delivery they have had. Also make the most of Dads paternity leave). So nap in the day when you can if your toddler naps or if someone takes them out  self care is so important for your physical and mental health! Nobody wants a grumpy mama!

Shopping:

Specifically food shopping ... not an easy task with two babies and two adults never mind two babies an one adult so many issues! Firstly I take Winnie in the car seat because them little baby seats are minty but then there’s no seat for Doll. Then there’s the issue of chasing a toddler an bribing her not to eat the freshly baked bread that she’s just picked up with her hands and shoved in her mouth (that happened today in Morrisons an then she dropped a cake on the floor, one I was not planning on buying!) I have two tips for this mamas! First one try to go shopping on your own, get someone to mind the children! Second tip (better tip) get the food shopping delivered or click an collect! 100 times easier an stress free! 

Bathing:

When Daddy is home it’s a two man job (make the most of the help when he’s about!) anyway when he’s not which is half the year I’ve developed a little routine: run both baths, we don’t have two baths! I’m talking about the baby bath!! (Don’t put the toddler into the big bath until the last minuet then quickly bath the baby whilst telling said toddler to stay in bath an don’t climb out as she will hurt herself.) Only one tip here TIMING IS EVERYTHING (be prepared have pyjamas, nappies, towels an shampoos at the ready within arms reach). There’s always the other option of bathing baby when toddlers gone to bed but I’m far too tired for that business! Plus I wanna watch love island rather than mr tumble who has been the only thing on the tv all day!

Leaving the house:

Firstly double prams are a god send, just make sure it fits in your boot of your car or threw the doors in your house! You would be surprised how many don’t (we are on our third double pram after sending them back for various reasons). I personally find it much easier to walk everywhere with the pram rather than getting both girls into car seats trying to find a mum an baby parking space an then getting both girls out an into the car. (FYI: it really grinds my gears when people without children park in these spaces, they are not for anyone other than parents or carers and children these people are selfish and have no consideration about other people’s needs. Mums need this for extra space to get the kids out the car seats). Anyway I digress, walking is a great way to destress and clear your head, great exercise especially pushing two. Also the children are getting loads of fresh air... the girls are always snoozing 5 mins into the walk! 

Organisation is key to the whole operation! (Planning outfits, making plans an picnics for the next day should be done the night before so you don’t have to faff around in the morning). But your house will be messy because kids will be kids but it doesn’t last for long so enjoy it there’s plenty of time to have a tidy home when the little ones are big. The days are long but the years are short time goes too fast! 

Also mamas remember to look after you accept help when’s it’s offered! Or if you need it ask for help (there’s no shame in asking for help). Take 5 mins for yourself (self care) that might be having a cuppa (or a glass of wine), taking a shower or reading a book (watching love island) to switch off for a little while we all need it! If you are poorly go to the doctors you need to be living your best life for your children!