Expecting #3 in September and freaking out

Our twins just turned 2 in May and I am expecting #3 in early September (the kids will be about 2 and 4 months at that time). They have really hit the terrible twos and I am starting to wonder how the heck I am going to keep up with two busy toddlers and adjust to a newborn in my house all over again. I am starting to freak out. I feel like I don't even have time to think about being pregnant right now...I think I am still a bit in denial at this enormous life change ahead of me. Any words of wisdom from moms who have been through this?

 

Yeah, relax.

It will be OK. You will have some rough patches, but you'll get it figured out as you go. I was the reverse, I had a singleton, then the twins. So, I didn't have two running around with a newborn, but my singleton was 16 months old and that presented its own set of issues.

The biggest thing for me was figuring out a place to put my DD when she was acting out and I needed to attend to the needs of my newborns. For me, that ended up being either her crib or a pack-n-play. I had to get a second pnp; I used one for her time-outs and the other one was where I put the boys for their play time (because most of the time I didn't feel it was safe to leave them on the floor with my 16 month old running around.

Another big deal for me was trying to get all three kids on the same schedule. I tried my best to get my boys on a schedule that would include the nap times of my DD. Your twins are probably only napping in the afternoon. I would try to get the baby on a schedule that would have him/her sleeping in the afternoon at the same time the twins are. It takes some time, but the pay off is well worth it!

You'll be fine. It really will fall into place. Your twins may act out for a bit after the baby comes, but that too shall pass. I was convinced I had ruined my DD's life by bringing home my boys. DD had always been sweet and even tempered. Once the babies came, she had temper tantrums and would do 'mean' things on purpose. My mom would always remind me that DD isn't the only child that had siblings come into the picture and that things would even out and they did. The three of them are best friends these days, and my DD is back to being sweet and even tempered (at least she is except for the times when she isn't! :lol:

Congratulations on

 

From my experience thus far, I've managed/survived/enjoyed/wouldn't trade the experience. Some days are great, some good, some not so good, some bad, and some...well, you get the point.

My boys were a bit younger when baby came but they have done really well with Bella. I was very surprised. They were fascinated with "baby eat" when I breastfed her, they would help get me diapers when she needed to be changed, etc. I think at the 2 year mark, if you can involve them in things, they do better...mine love helping (although it's not always a help).

Right now, we're in a fairly good place...baby's schedule is better and the boys have chugged right along. Key for me was keeping the boys on their routine/schedule...but I'll be honest, the first 2-3 months were tough. The sleep deprivation, two years olds, the whole thing wore me down...but as I've said, I've managed and honestly it was no worse really than when the boys were born.

You can do it. Does your husband help out with the kiddos much now? DH tends to entertain the boys when I have to deal with something specific with baby and that helps too.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

 

I'm right there now. Mine turned 2 a month after I brought my 3rd home. The twins were great with the baby and still are fantastci with him. The problem is meeting all of their needs ALL of the time and many times trying to do so AT THE SAME TIME. 2 year old don't realize you can't get them whatever they want at the same time you are feeding or changing the baby. It gets easier. Right in the beginning it's somewhat easy b/c the baby sleeps all the time. Then as the baby is up more it gets a little hairy but then you start getting something of a schedule so you can juggle/plan things a little better. My 9 month old still doesn't sleep the night (can't seem to figure out why b/c my twins were sleepign 12 hrs straight at 4 months...oh well) so that's been tough for me..lack of sleep. You might be luckier and have a better sleeper which helps you handle the craziness during the day much better. Before you know it the baby will be rolling over, sitting up etc and you'll be wondering how you got through all those months.
I think I had to realize that I can't please everyone all the time and that gets me through the tough days...

 

I also had the opposite situation. My dd was 20 months when the twins were born. Then the twins were 2 years and 8 months when my 4th was born, but that was easier because my oldest dd was 4.5, so she helped out with the twins a lot! Well, my number one recommendation is to never trust the baby within arms reach of the twins while you are not watching!! My oldest could keep an eye on misbehavior for me, but when she wasn't around I wouldn't trust the 2 year olds for even a second alone with the baby. Twins for some reason seem to inspire bad behavior in each other. My second recommendation is that you get a schedule of activities going during the day and keep it up. Work the baby around your daily 'schedule.' Work in breakfast, changing clothes, reading time, art time, snack time, time outdoors and potty breaks if they are starting that up yet, as a part of your day. I had a frame work for how we spent our day that really kept things pretty sane, and the baby (#4) pretty much worked her way around my schedule. Book time is ideal while you are sitting down to feed the baby. If you think the twins will be hungry, get them an easy snack before you sit down to feed the baby, that way you don't have to get up a hundred times. And if all else fails remember it's only a short, rough, sleep-deprived stage...so a little extra educational tv won't hurt them!

 

My twins were a little younger than yours are going to be when the 3rd one arrives, but it's all the same. Honetly, I struggled for awhile. It took a good couple of months to feel like I had a handle on things. It's all about developing a schedule for everyone. Don't mess up the twins schedule when that new baby comes home. It is doable though. Now, it's been a year and we are having a blast. It's fun to have 3 little ones to chase around and keep me in shape. I never sit, but love it. Not saying, we have terrible days and moments, because we definately do. Congrats on the new little one.

 

Hi there. I had my singleton first, but she was only 16 months when my twin DDs arrived. We refer to those years fondly as the "blurry years". It was busy but after a bit we got a good groove down. We involved our oldest as much as possible & I got out of the house EVERYDAY, even if it was just to the market & even if it took me 2 hours to get everyone ready to go. It was a whirlwind but it was also something I look back on now proudly because I did it. My motto was "Tomorrow is another day" & it always helped me cope. Good luck to you! You'll be fine. Having twins first has prepared you to take on anything! LOL!
I noticed you are due a week before me in September! Congrats on the new baby!

 

I'm due in August. My boys will be almost 2 years, 5 months. So I hear you! I have lots of help lined up this time - I think that is going to make all the difference in the world. Also, I've signed the boys up for preschool three mornings a week.

We're trying to switch rooms, etc. ahead of time so it's not too much change all at once.