I used my double stroller a lot when they were little. People probably thought I was crazy for pulling my big stroller out every time I went into some place but it was the easiest way for me to get everyone strapped into something safe and to tote my diaper bag around.
Here I am at the zoo with my big stroller and two babies (and my friends!). I had a Graco Quattro Tour Duo Stroller.
Erika and I were laughing about this zoo trip just the other day…Nixon was 2 weeks old in this pic. Why were we taking two one year olds, a two week old and a 12 week old to the zoo??? Because we were just surviving. We were trying to get out of the house, we were trying to establish some sort of routine (and we really like a mid-morning activity before naps!), and we were trying to socialize with each other so that we didn’t go mad at home alone.
I get asked a lot if Kensington was jealous of us bringing home a new baby.
I don’t know if I just got lucky or what but Kensington never really seemed bothered by Smith’s presence in our house. Either K wasn’t too worried about him receiving attention or she was too young to really care, but I never felt like she was lacking for her own attention or acting out to receive more.
Honestly, I think when you have a one year old, a brand spankin’ new baby that doesn’t do anything but eat, sleep and lay around seems super simple compared to the busyness of the older one. I’m pretty sure most of my attention was still on K at this time because Smith was pretty simple.
I really try and be a glass half full kind of girl. Lots of diapers, lots of crying, lots of runny noses, two cribs, two babies and a lot of work can (and was) stressful…but I always told myself, if I’m already doing it with one baby, I might as well do it with another and then we can all move on to that next stage at one time.
Plus…I always remind myself that no matter the stage in life, I will one day look back and miss it. And let me tell you…as much as I love, love, love my 4 and 5 year old now, I would give anything to rewind the clock and have two babies at home to cuddle with and love on.
For me, the biggest bonus for having kids close in age is that I have instant friends in my house. These two looooove hanging out together! Kensington does not remember life without Smith. They’ve always had each other. They always play together. And let’s be honest, they always get into trouble together. (The phrase “stop touching your brother/sister” comes out of my mouth at least 4,856 times a day!)
If you’re one of those sweet mamas that has emailed me about having kids close in age, my best advice is to just enjoy it. You have no choice, you might as well declare it the best thing ever and relish every single minute of it :).
My next Shade of Shay has been a very hot topic lately. So, so, so many of you have asked me to do a Shade about building a home (because many of you are apparently in the process or about to start the process). If you have questions (not super personal, of course), please leave me a comment and I’ll answer them next week (those questions will not be published but instead saved for next week’s post!). Leave a comment here and I’ll answer your building/house questions next week!
On the foodie blog today…
…my Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats! Your kiddos will love making these with you!!
And the winner of the Stella & Dot necklace is Tricia Baronowsky!
I emailed you this morning Tricia, so make sure you email me back to claim your prize. Congratulations!!
If you are still interested in ordering an engraveable necklace, please email Jody at jodytruly@yahoo.com. She is placing orders right now!!
Tab & Erika says
My version…"It was complete and utter chaos for approximately two year." That's how we handled it!! hahaha!!! I seriously remembered leaving Market Street and driving to Kroger b/c there was NO possible was I was going to get two kids into the grocery store!! haha! (Look, I'm still laughing about it.!) 🙂
Laura says
Oh my word – love this Shade of Shay! I had two boys 18 months apart, and then surprise, God gave us a third boy 21 months after the 2nd. So, we are a house of chaos. I'd definitely say routine helps. I've also had to lower my standards for what I get done in a day and how clean/neat my house stays. I'm also learning that that first year after you bring a new baby home is just going to be alot of "survival" so enjoy the crazy and snuggle the babies! They really do grow so fast.
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Okay….now I'm laughing with Erika! So funny! I have a friend that laughs her head off in sad situations. Like she gets this nervous laughter and can't stop. It's horrible and hilarious all at the same time. 🙂
Love this Shade of Shay. I have to say, you made having two little ones look easy. 🙂
Navy and Orange says
This was a perfect post for me to read today! My second sweet little baby girl arrives in a week 🙂 my girls will be 20 Months apart. Reading your post made me feel better and less anxious. Thanks 🙂
Lexy says
I love this! I have 17m old twin boys and in having a third little boy next week and I get asked all the time how I'm going to handle it. I'm going to do it with love and laughter because I don't have a choice about handling it – only about my attitude. (Also – my twins came via IVF after YEARS of trying and treatments. Number three? Total medically impossible shock! God is good!)
Anonymous says
I also had my last two 18 months apart.. And I had a 7 year old also… So I was constantly dragging two babies around to practices and school functions lol.. They are now 2.5, 4, and 10 and so much easier!!!! I agree, routine is everything!
Unknown says
Love this post and couldnt agree more! We were blessed with Irish twins and found myself nodding and laughing through this whole post! Our surviavl mode has been laugh more, worry less! My youngest will be one next week and we are already itching for another one! Life is chaotic, but also filled with so much love and laughter. Wouldn't trade it for anything! Love starting my day with your blog everyday! Thanks for sharing your everyday life with us!
Kimm Atwood says
As a busy mom to 5, and my two boys only 19 months apart I totally loved this post,,,,people ask me how do I do it with 5….I've learned to not stress about the little things and just enjoy every step of the way,,,,I like to call my life controlled chaos! Happy Tuesday!!!
Jackson and Clare's Blog! says
Mine are 15 months apart – after fertility treatments to have the first, I about passed out when I had a positive pregnancy test when he was 7 months old!
The best advice anyone gave me was "If you can survive the first 12 months, you'll be fine." And on the 12 month, 1 year day, it truly did start getting easier. I tell this to anyone having kids less than 2 years apart.
Christine says
Mine are 18 months apart and I love it! Yes, the logistics was really difficult for the first year, along with several other things. But, that's mostly a foggy memory now and I have two little preschoolers who are really starting to play together and call each other their best friend. I LOVE it! It's still a lot some days, but it's also a lot of fun.
Narci says
Love this post! Having two little ones at the same time is such a blessing–great advice!
Elizabeth says
I have 3 mo old twins and I take that double stroller everywhere! It is just so much easier and glad to hear others did/do that too 🙂
susan says
My daughter had twins and another baby when they were 21 months. On top of that, she cloth diapered all three!! It seemed like she was constantly doing laundry!! It was hectic but now they are 6 and 4 and much easier. We always new they were a precious blessing from God.
Slightly Askew Designs says
LOVED this post for lots of reasons – but mainly all the SWEET SWEET pics of your teeny tiny kiddos! 🙂
melissabunny100 says
You have such a way of speaking and calming people down! You really are a blessing!
April Parrish says
Great advice today to all moms whether you have 2 little ones close in age or not! My girls are 15 & 6 and I would give anything to go back to those diaper days! Just enjoy it; which it sounds exactly what you tried to do!
Have a blessed day! 🙂
Anonymous says
This is the reason I came across your blog in the first place and have since found Erika's. My kids are the same ages as yours, 13 months apart. My daughter started walking the day my son came home from the hospital. I agree, crazy for a few years, but now they are great playmates. The story about Erika made me smile, definitely been there. I could bank on showing up sweaty everywhere we went. Even in January, in Minnesota. But really, we had it pretty easy. Parents of multiples, they are the real saints! We had another baby a few months ago and it has seemed so much easier this time around. Knock on wood. 🙂
Kristen Gerdel says
Loved this and can totally relate! My girls are 14 months apart and I don't regret having them that close one bit.
Anonymous says
Your kids are just too cute!
Tiffany says
Love love love this!!! I'm one of the ones who had asked you to do this. I'm about to have my second child anytime now, and I feel so much better after reading this! Thanks, sweet girl!!
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog says
This was just the sweetest! My brother and I are five years apart in age, and even though hubby and I are a few years off from starting our own family, I can definitely see how much of a huge blessing it is to have kids who are so close in age that they are best friends! SO SWEET!
Melodie says
My bo ys are almost 16 months apart. We moved states, to an apartment then to our now house, during the second boy's first 4 months. Plus my husband was starting a new job which was the reason for our move … It was a crazy season in our lives. But I love their friendship and closeness. Now we have a 6 year old, almost 5 year old and 18 month old. I want a 4th (like yesterday) so our little guy can have a great buddy too. 🙂
Darcy says
Yay Tricia! Congrats!
This post was fun to read – we don't have kids, but I've helped friends with carseats and strollers and diaper bags and OH MY GOODNESS the bulk that a sweet little tiny baby brings can be overwhelming sometimes. I love your candidness on just surviving but also trying to make the best of things.
Megan says
Just what I needed to hear!! 6 more weeks till baby #2!! Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂
Courtney says
This was perfect! I am also a mom of two kiddos that are 20 months apart. My youngest is 8 months old so we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with sleep, eating solids and such. My question is, how did you decide that having 2 kids biologically was enough and deciding to adopt for the 3rd?
Brian Zimmerman says
Love your blog, Shay! I have 3 boys, the littlest is 10 months. They aren't that close in age but I wondered if you had any great tips about flying with a baby?? I know your kids have done their fair share of flying. 🙂 We have flown with little ones before but only about 18 months and up, so never in the on my lap, bottle/formula, baby food stage!! Makes me a little nervous about 3 hours on my lap (when he wants to move constantly) and carrying on all that STUFF!! Thanks!
Sarah E @ theteacherswife.com says
Great post! And you are so right, I think it's best to just stop sweating the small stuff and ENJOY it. Each tough phase ends and before you know it they are off to school (as you know full well). I think it's also great you had a friend who was in a similar stage of life so y'all could laugh with each other! 🙂
Anonymous says
We have 3 kids and our first 2 are 1yr and 5 days apart and now that we have #3 the 2 closer together were SO easy compared to adding #3. How we are just a house of chaos 😉
Melissa says
Would you just write a quick sentence or two on how to take 2 little ones to the pool?! That one I cannot figure out 🙂
Mara Kreiling says
We've got 16 month old twins and I agree- routine/schedule is key and all you can do is enjoy the chaos! Now to decide if we want to throw a third one into the mix 😉 I really enjoy reading your posts!
Lindsay says
Spot on! I've got identical twin boys, a three year gap and then two little ones less than 18 mos apart. Twins were the hardest, since they are at the exact same stage, but it's all in what you know. When people ask me how I do it, I just reply that I have nothing else to compare it to… I could have one or 5, and it would just be different challenges. Plus, there is something amazing about kids having each other as best buddies. I would love more, if we could, and would want two close together in age again!
Paula says
=) Sweet post!
This stage does go by way, way too fast. My oldest is turning 9 Sunday. I feel like this is big birthday. LAST year being a single digit. Sniff sniff….My two babies will be 4 in August. How did that happen?
I like the glass half full….Goes with my favorite verse for this 'season'. His mercies are new each morning. ….thank you Jesus for that! =)
Marion says
This post made me laugh. I have 4 kids. First 2 are 16 months and 4 days apart and when people asked if I planned that I laugh out loud. Who plans getting pregnant when you have a 6 month old? I actually called and asked my OB if a pregnancy test could be wrong. She laughed. The bigger joke was when I went into the office after that week I found out I was already 15 1/2 weeks pregant!
I always say the first 6 months are hard. We had strict routine which still included 2 long naps for my older (baby) which is the only reason I was sane (or kind of). I also taught my older to hold on to the stroller or my hand and walk! We walked really slow but it was better than carrying a 1 year old and a infant plus a car seat. I would NOT change a thing now!! My older 2 are 9&8 and are still the best friends. My older had a hard time going to kinder and leaving his sister every day 🙂
When my #2 was 3 I had my next set of kids who are 20 1/2 months apart. I think I forgot how hard it was 🙂 The day we were out of diapers and I was not wearing a nursing bra was a happy day at my house!
Anonymous says
The picture of your belly bump with Kensington is one of the sweetest pictures I have ever seen. The expression on her face is priceless.
Cass says
That was fun to be reminded that Erika's two were so close in age … as my two oldest boys are 12 months and 2 days apart! (Having a third boy 26 months felt like such a huge gap … "Would they be friends? I stressed …) And I loved it that way, truly. Found it easier than a 3 year old and a baby, actually, and they are certainly best, best friends now.
Aubs says
Cannot stop laughing about Erika calling you from the store parking lot ~ so awesome!! LOVE the story of how your friendship started and how God blessed you with all those babies in such a short time!!
Can't wait to read all you have to share about building a home next week!!
sarah c says
Your babies are so precious!! Can't wait to meet your new addition Ashby soon!
Leapfrog and Ladybugs says
Love it! I agree, you just enjoy it and learn to roll with things. My first two are 2 1/2 years apart and my 3rd arrived when #1 was 4 and #2 was 19 months. I love having them all so close. Chaotic at times, yes, but it is out life and we love it. 🙂
Lindsay says
Great post, Shay!! I would really, REALLY love for you to do a Shade of Shay on putting your little one on a schedule and how exactly you did it. What method you followed, how you decided on bedtime, etc. Thanks!!
Jaren says
I'd have to say having them closer (my oldest are 17 months apart)is easier than having them 3 years apart or more. I've done both, and I really love how my close ones can do pretty much the same activities together and always have a playmate. Now they are 7 and 6 and our biggest issue right now is tattling and fighting…not very fun but I know that happens with siblings no matter what age difference there is. Great advice as always Shay!
Aubrey says
I remember those early days so fondly too! (In spite of the fact that one day all three girls – Ella, Kate, and I – were all crying at the same time.) It was super hard work, but I would go back in a heartbeat.
P.S. I giggle when I'm nervous, so I totally feel Erika's pain.
Tatia Huipe says
Thank you for this post, just what I needed to read and be reminded of: to just enjoy it and embrace the chaos. Thank you for reminding me that everyday will have its own challenges, but accept it and cherish each crazy moment. My daughter is 2.5 and my son is 2 weeks old. Perfect timing to come across this post. Love your glass half full attitude!