Long time ago!

Hi ladies, it's been a long time since I've last been here. Things have been busy with my twincesses. I'm checking in now because I am pregnant with #3! The age difference will be a little over three years. I'm really worried about the girls being jealous, any tips on how to deal with that?

 

Hey, I missed you. Congrats on your pregnancy!

 

I've actually found that one of the biggest pluses to having had twins first is that adding #3 didn't really phase them. They're already used to sharing your time & attention, adding another child doesn't change that. My girls were 3y4m old when their brother was born. I found they started to rely on each other more for entertainment when I was busy.

That being said, here's what I did do in an effort to help the transition:
- Emmett was born at home & the girls were able to be there & watch. I think what was good about that was that it was a very concrete experience that they could understand. It wasn't like mom & dad went out for the day & then for some unfathomable reason came home with another baby. Assuming babe #3 will be born at the hospital, I think it can be helpful to talk a lot about what will happen while you're at the hospital, about how a baby's born, etc.
- I was careful with my language. If the girls asked to do something but I couldn't because I was nursing or putting Emmett to bed, I would say "Sure, as soon as I'm finished xyz" rather than "No, we can't because the baby is xyz". I didn't want them to feel like they couldn't do anything because of the baby.
- I tried to find some time most days to sit & just do something with them without Emmett "in the way". Some days it was just making sure I was available for story time at bedtime, but that's gotten easier & easier as Emmett's gotten older.

Overall, the girls have done really well. We did have some potty regression. They also started asking to nurse again (they weaned just before their 2nd birthday). I let them try the first couple of times but since they "couldn't remember" how to, after that when they asked we would "pretend" to nurse then just have a cuddle. Also, each girl has connected quite differently with Emmett. Danika is his little mommy - she likes to help with diaper changes, feeding, bathing, etc. Riley, on the other hand, sees him more as an accomplice or playmate that can't really do much yet.

 

Thanks sullivanre, glad to be back!

Thank you for sharing your experiences and advice, miss_bossy18, I'll definitely remember 2 and 3. For 1, yes, I will deliver in hospital but I'm planning to tell them what happens when a baby is born and get them involved as much as possible.

 

I had NO jealousy issues here, either. Mine will turn 3 shortly and were 2.5 when she was born. They absolutely adore her in a "Of Mice and Men" kind of way. I talked about babies and let them know her name and tried to have them feel my belly (which they still want to do....)

We had some behavior issues after she came home, but then we had visitors for 2 months as well. I tried to be available to them, as best as I could, individually during that time. So if DH sent 1 to his room I'd hear and step out into the hall to have a cuddle or chat privately. It seemed to help as they missed me.

Congrats on #3!

 

We never had any issues, either. I'm due with #5 in November (the twins were #1 and 2).

 

Congratulations! The twins were almost 3 years old when my #3 was born. We just talked about how exciting it was that they were going to have a little brother and we did not have any issues. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy! and welcome back!

 

Thanks!

Did you have difficult singleton pregnancies? I am awfully tired all the time, I'm sick and in pain and I'm only 15 weeks along now. Hope it'll get better! With the twins I lacked energy too, but needless to say it was different then. I could nap whenever I wanted if I was at home.

I changed to maternity wear today, yay. Milestone!