going from 2 to 3

[tracymom1]

Anyone else? I am kind of freaking out about this. I like the one-on-one defense strategy we have going right now - I am a little scared about being outnumbered! How was this transition for you BTDT mamas? All of mine will be less than 2 years apart. Starting to get that "what was I thinking" feeling!!!!!

[new2texas]

I recently had my third, my kids are about 2 years apart too. I thought I'd never leave the house once I had the third. But it turned out to be no big deal. My oldest was 4 when the baby was born and she was a huge help, getting things and keeping her little sisters entertained. You just adjust because you have no choice. Now I'm going from 3 to 4 and I'm having the same freak out, like I am never going to leave the house again!

[mayakas]

I heard that going from one to two is hardest because it's challenging to figure out how to handle more than one child (double trouble). And then 2+ is no big deal! - I dunno, right now just the one is driving me crazy

[mamaw/two]

DH and I were worried about the being outnumbered thing as well! But, it all turned out to be very easy. My oldest was almost 5 and the 2nd was just turned 2. The thing that really helped with the 2yr old and new baby was that we tandem nursed, I don't think I could have handled naptime or bedtime without that. When we added baby #4, it was even easier! I don't know if it was just the boys' personalities or if it really does just get easier as you have more.

[jee'smom]

i found that 0 to 1 was the biggest transition. when i brought the rest home, it felt like we went for chinese take-out instead of a baby! LOL!!! i was also worried about the outnumbered thing, but it ended up not being a big deal. i had to tell myself that sometimes one is just going to have to lay at my feet whining while i take care of another and it.is.o.k. i just methodically went from one to another to another if i had to get them all ready for church, or all bathed and ready for bed, etc. my dh left for the police academy when the 3rd was 3mo, ds was 2 1/2yo, and dd was 4 1/2yo. it wasn't as bad as i thought it was going to be. (don't get me wrong, i pulled my hair out a number of times, but it really wasn't that bad.) you'll do great!!!

[scheelimama]

2 to 3 was my easiest transition so far. And my husband was deployed so it was all me with 3 small children. If I can do that, then you'll probably be fine, lol. My kids were 4.5, and just turned 3 when we brought home our newborn. Adding #4 was harder, but mostly because I'm homeschooling and now it's just a matter of time and trying to fit everything in during the day.

[maybebaby]

I agree that 2 to 3 was an easy transition. I also worried about being outnumbered but it wasn't bad at all. I think the first was the biggest transition, then from 3-4 (but that was probably colored by her being special needs that we weren't expecting, so I hate to say going to 4 is "hard" in an of itself, yk?)

good luck..I'm sure you'll find it's smoother than you expect

[FoxintheSnow]

Im going from 2 to 3 as well and I think it will be a harder transition in my case. That's because my 2nd born is a much, much more difficult child than my first. Lets hope the 3rd one is easy!

[buckeye_mama]

I will be going from 2 to 3 also!

I was a little freaked at first, but I figure it can't be as hard as going from 1 to 2 was (0 to 1 was smooth sailing for us)! Plus, ODS will be 4 when this baby comes...so he'll be more independent and can help keep his little brother occupied

[starlein26]

I had, and continue to have, a very hard time transitioning.

But, my second is INTENSE. My third is EXTREMELY sensitive and cries at ANY injustice committed by her sister and my son is annoyed my them both (a lot of the time). Oh, and I homeschool them...so no breaks.

ETA: Saw this in new posts...sorry, DDCC.

[crazyms]

I'm having my 3rd also so not sure yet how this is going to work. I know going from 1-2 was much different for us than 0-1. I don't really see the third being much different than two. I think it'll be a lot easier since they are older too. Baby is due in April and after DS will be 4 in June and DD 6 in Aug so we'll really only have one 'baby.' DD is excited and I'm sure will enjoy helping and DS has started getting into 'big boy' stuff like PLing and dressing himself more so I think this should be easy. Those that have 3 under 3 and 3 under 4 though I'm not sure how they do it!

[GretchenC]

Not sure if I will be joining you ladies yet (I am too chicken to take a test) but thought I would comment anyway: going from 1 to 2 was hard for us. Going from 2 to 3 was much easier. You will do fine.

Now. Someone talk me down about going from 3 to 4. We were not expecting to have to figure this out!

[~Katie~]

I'm one of those crazy ladies who'll have three under four, for a couple of months anyway

The transition from 0-1 was pretty rough. Going from 1-2 was pretty easy in a lot of ways, but there were some logistics that needed to be figured out since I was on my own for the first year due to deployment. I'm not too freaked out by a third, at this point I kind of just feel like, "what's one more?" I'm anticipating more laundry for sure, but everything else tends to work itself out.

[tracymom1]

I know it sounds kind of selfish, but I feel like I was just starting to see the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel". Even though my kids are still very young, they are 'easy' enough to wrangle around and I can actually leave the house all day, or, *gasp* overnight, if I really wanted to. Since I was on bedrest with my first, I really haven't had any time to spend on taking care of me.

I totally know that everything will be wonderful and our family already loves this new baby very much. I am feeling very joyful and at peace... but just a little scared... and maybe a little bit nervous

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by tracymom1

I know it sounds kind of selfish, but I feel like I was just starting to see the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel". Even though my kids are still very young, they are 'easy' enough to wrangle around and I can actually leave the house all day, or, *gasp* overnight, if I really wanted to. Since I was on bedrest with my first, I really haven't had any time to spend on taking care of me.

I totally know that everything will be wonderful and our family already loves this new baby very much. I am feeling very joyful and at peace... but just a little scared... and maybe a little bit nervous

I know what you mean and I battle with this a bit. Part of me would have liked to have waited until later on to add another but in some of ways I'm glad that they're close in age.

The idea of getting some pregnancy downtime is really appealing and transitioning the older kids to another stage is as well, it can be tough to be pregnant and/or breastfeeding for years on end. I do think if we have a fourth it'll be a loooooong way off.

[maisiedotes]

We are also going from 2 to 3 and that means big changes for us. 3 in carseats means a bigger vehicle. And we are in a 2 bedroom... so of course we need a bigger place. (we rent a townhouse). YIKES. I can barely handle the 2 I have sometimes so a third is going to be interesting.

[Lisanne]

We are also going from 2-3 and I'm nervous about it. My 2 girls are a handful.. Not sure how we're going to cram another carseat in the car, but we'll have to figure it out.

[weliveintheforest]

Im going from 2 to 3 as well, and am not nervous. Yet.

We will need to get a bigger vehicle, but I wanted a van anyway. We are also moving in the new year, so we will find a place where we will be comfortable having a baby.
I'm hoping that my kids are old enough that I will have enough hands to go around.

[scheelimama]

Originally Posted by maisiedotes

We are also going from 2 to 3 and that means big changes for us. 3 in carseats means a bigger vehicle. And we are in a 2 bedroom... so of course we need a bigger place. (we rent a townhouse). YIKES. I can barely handle the 2 I have sometimes so a third is going to be interesting.

Just thought I'd share that we have our 3 girls in one bedroom, it's possible if your townhome will let you. Our set-up would not work yet for you, but maybe later on down the road. http://www.us-mattress.com/lk-au-triple-bunk-bed.html It's a small room, and barely fits, but with a loft, we're able to cram one dresser and a nighstand under there and the other dresser goes at the end of the bunk. It works.

[maisiedotes]

Originally Posted by scheelimama 

Originally Posted by maisiedotes

We are also going from 2 to 3 and that means big changes for us. 3 in carseats means a bigger vehicle. And we are in a 2 bedroom... so of course we need a bigger place. (we rent a townhouse). YIKES. I can barely handle the 2 I have sometimes so a third is going to be interesting.

Just thought I'd share that we have our 3 girls in one bedroom, it's possible if your townhome will let you. Our set-up would not work yet for you, but maybe later on down the road. http://www.us-mattress.com/lk-au-triple-bunk-bed.html It's a small room, and barely fits, but with a loft, we're able to cram one dresser and a nighstand under there and the other dresser goes at the end of the bunk. It works.

Thanks Alisha!  We have a huge bedroom and Mairaed and Kieran have a small room, so we are swapping rooms with them this week anyways-  they are getting a train table and a wooden kitchen for the holidays and there is no room in their small room.  I woudl be willing to bet we could fit a crib, toddler bed, and a twin bed in the big bedroom..it would be nice if we could stay here in this townhouse.