I will adjust.. won't I?

[cylverdust]

arrrgghh.. Feeling rather frazzled right now. Vivienne is 2 weeks old, and Lauren is almost two. I feel like I need to go to the bat farm. They seem to both need me at the very same time. Sometimes I am lucky and hubby is home, like tonight. But what happens when he is not here, and I get frazzled with no help in sight.. ARRRGGGHHHH....

How do you do it?

[Meenah]

Take a deep breath, yes you can do it.

[Auspicious]

It definitely gets easier. The little one will sleep longer, the big one will gain more independence. Both their needs will become less immediate. This is a sweet and tender time so drink it all in as much as you can, but know that more laid-back and fun times are ahead, too.

If they're both safe, you're doing fine. Some crying is inevitable when they outnumber you. Just keep filling those sippies and changing those diapers and handing out those hugs and eventually everyone is contented for five minutes.

[Tenacious_D]

Playgroups, skype, PBS kids, and long walks to the park...that's what's saving me. My little nut nut and the boobsucker can tire me out but there are a lot of really amazing moments with the both. I have learned to turn cries into little songs in my head. You can do it!!

[houseelf]

You're doing better than you think if you are trying to meet their needs. This stage can really get you down but know that this is just par for the course. It won't be like this for long.

[Meenah]

Mine were 21 months apart, and I don't remember the first three months of Caroline's life!

Ohhh I remember those days. My first were 13 months apart and at first, it was HARD!
But the good news, it does get better. That I can promise you!
When you have to - go lock yourself in the bathroom and just take a few big death breaths.
You will get through it. You are just all going through a big adjustment period - you will get through it!

[Meenah]

My first were 13 months apart

Luanne I am not sure what I was thinking!! haha...
NO recollection of two years of my life. My eldest learned how to walk in the bathroom while I sat worshipping the toilet gods!

[moonlight]

Just one step at a time. You are doing a great job!!!!

[alison]

I can't imagine having a toddling toddler and a newborn. I often feel overwhelmed with just one... I mean, I often have to wrestle my dd down to get a diaper on, and often I put them on her while she's standing on her changing table, pulling wipes out of the container one at a time! Argh!

Take it each day at a time, each hour, each minute. You'll get to a point where you feel like you can do it! Oh, and hey, btw: you ARE doing it!

[Michele]

I'm right there with you! P is almost 7 weeks, K is 22 months, and D is 4. They seem psychically connected as to when one needs me the others suddenly do too! As long as no ones hurt, I tend to them in order of oldest first....and just enough tending that I can move to the next one. Somewhere I read or was told that you should tend to the oldest first because they are more likely to remember it...the baby won't remember waiting 10 minutes for your attention.

It really is just one step at a time...one hour...one day. And there are bad days/weeks and good days/weeks. I hadn't left the house in a week and lost all motivation to actually do it. Got a good kick in the pants, met up w v-girl and then today I actually grocery shopped w all three and took them in for doctors appointments...all before noon. Now I'm worn out!

It took me having a second to really master one-handed walking around nursing....it really helps being able to get waters, change the tv, answer the phone, all while nursing the baby. And it took me having a second, to be able to hear a baby cry. Sometimes you just can't be in two places at once...and someone is going to cry. It breaks my heart every time, but at least now I'm able to deal with the heartache. I admit to being a little crazy about it.

[migirl]

My (vast ) experience has been similar to Michele's. Mine are 3 weeks, 2.5 years, and 4.5 years. I deal with them in order of oldest to youngest (for the reason Michele mentioned), and have gained the ability to tune out baby-crying noises while trying to deal with the older two. It's hard, but there's only one of me so what else can I do?

My mantra during these first few weeks is really just "get through the day". As long as everyone's been fed and cuddled and (eventually) put to bed, it's a good day.

[Deebs]

This thread has convinced me that medical spouses are crazy. Mine are 24 and 22 months apart (now almost 5, almost 3, and almost 1). People stop me in the store and ask me how I do it, and more than once I've started to tear up. It's totally overwhelming many times! With the third, I stuck in her a sling/carrier/something on me for many waking hours. With DS (#2), he spent a lot of time in the swing because he was happiest there. When I had both my second and my third, I noticed that almost every week got easier. I also started to give myself a break. There are many more nights where a frozen pizza becomes dinner, kids go to bed early, the dishes are left in the sink, etc. I had to prioritize and put my kids first, often not worrying about what others thought/think. Do what works for you. It really does get better

[MrsK]

Oy, you guys are freaking me out. You know I've got crazy baby fever and a 10 mo old. . .