Some things just seem to get harder -

I am not going to say I want to do the first two months with two babies - but I miss the stage when they were younger!

We have hit the stage where they are very unhappy unless they have my undivided attention. If I am not on the floor playing with them they scream. Dinner time sucks! I try giving the snacks while I cook. I try giving them bowls and spoons to "help" me cook. I try changing the time I cook - nothing helps!

Grocery shopping. I miss the days when they would sleep in their carriers the entire time. Now, they spend the last half of the trip screaming to get out of the cart!

Going to the doctors/resteraunt/library/post office also stinks. Instead of just unclipping the carseats and bringing them in we have to unload the stroller, take them out of the seat, belt them in the stroller, go in around all the people and their comments. When it comes time to come out they scream when I put them in the car!

Diaper changes - UGH!!!!!!! Nothing like frosting poo spread everywhere by a baby that won't allow you to change her diaper "I want to crawl and play with my open diaper!!!"

I honestly have less time now than I did when they were younger. When they were younger I could put them in a bumbo while I folded laundry, now I have to fold it around them while they undo everything I do.

They don't nap at the same time, so I can't wait until they nap to do stuff. By the time the go to sleep at night I am usually so exhausted that I fall asleep right along with them!

I somehow thought things would get easier when they got older! Boy - was I mistaken!

Any advice?

Angel

 

i'm sorry you're having such a hard time. it seems like every stage has it's plusses and drawbacks. My one question for you would be WHY don't they nap at the same time? do they nap at relatively the same time?? those few hours that they are both down sleeping are my saving grace. it's that little window where i can just go to the bathroom, or shower, or read the paper, or check my email. i usually do that the first nap, then use time during the second nap to get one or two things done around the house. when mine DON'T nap at the same time, for some reason or another, i am NOT a happy mommy. and i am convinced that rubs off on them as well. i am a firm believer in neednig a little "me" time every day, and i do NOT think that is selfish. it is a necessity! so my advice would be to try as best you can to get them napping at the same time. i don't know your sleep philosophy, so you may have to figure out what you want to/are willing to do to do that.
also, do you have any family nearby that could come watch the kids for an hour or two so you could go do the grocery shopping? i usually do mine at night after they go to bed. it is much calmer that way. I will take them to target or the mall, but only for a short period with a few main goals in mind. I agree it is pretty hard at this time getting them in/out of the stroller (esp here in the cold climate with coats now!), but i'm sure once they start walking it is bad too, trying to keep them close! (sorry, not to freak you out about the future- now is enojugh, righ?!?!?)
as for diapers. i have no advice. they drive me nuts too most days. i love how as SOON as you take off the diaper, both hands are down there. ick. i try to keep a toy or two close by for them to look at. i try to make it something new and different (sometimes even just a bottle of baby oil- well sealed!). it gets them somewhat distracted at least 50% of the time.
anyway. my advice. sleep synchrony.

 

I am having MANY of the problems you mentioned. They HATE the car, HATE the stroller, HATE shopping carts, HATE being tied down. It stinks. I am very choosy where I take them because car trips (even 10 minutes) are painful.
I also grocery shop at night alone. Once in a blue moon I will bring them and I always regret it. They SCREAM the entire time and I am so embarassed. And yes I give them new things to play with but they just want out.
I also agree that you should do everything in your power to get them to nap at the same time. It took just a few weeks here when mine were 4 months old to get them on the same schedule but it worked and now they do all naps together. You definitely need that time!
As far as diaper changes, I save the very best, new "toys" for the changing table. And for "toys" I use: fuzzy adult curlers, baby hairbrushes, adult hairbrushes that you don't need, old remotes without batteries, plastic pill boxes with the days of the week because they love to open & close the plastic flaps (this is a good one), baby combs, etc. Anytime I find an item around the house they would love to have and is ok for them to have, I literally save it for the car or the changing table. It works wonders! (of course keep in mind that it may get poo on it so don't plan on needing it again)
And lastly, I cook their dinner while they nap, then reheat it in the microwave later. And if you have to cook while they are there, try giving them frozen blueberries or frozen peas while you cook. The frozenness always throws my kids off and so they are slow to eat them and they take a long time to chew them. They seem very fascinated by them! And they are better than cheerios or crackers to occupy them.
BEST OF LUCK! You are not alone.

 

It is really hard at this stage Angel. :hug99: I know how you feel though. Mine have been that way for a while. But I think it is starting to get a little easier again and I hope that I am giving you some comfort in knowing there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

:hug99: Try and pamper yourself tonight after they ALL go to sleep.

 

Angel, I feel your pain. I am in the minority in twinstuff population - my kids don't nap or "play" in their crib for at least 1 or 2 hours/day. Everyday is different. Sometimes I am able to get both to sleep, sometimes just one, sometimes different times. It sounds like you might have the same situation?

My kids also don't like the stroller or car usually and want to get down and pull stuff off of the shelves when we go to target or the supermarket. I don't even attempt these places alone.

Anyway, some of these things have to get easier with time. In the meantime my advice is to get help if at all possible, even if it means your DH taking them out for an hour sat morning so you can nap or rest. (that's what I try to do!)


Stacy

 

Oh hun, I know this is a hard age, but things will get better. I always said I would reather have 2 infants than 2 toddlers. Soon you will find they will discover so much around them. Watching them get excited over "new" things is so wonderful. Hearing them laugh & watching them play will soon take over & you will forget about the hard times. Hang in there.