STM+ how are you doing?

[aylafsu1881]

I know we have a lot of STM+ on the board.  Between the night wakings and the toddler I feel exhausted. I can usually keep my cool for most of the day but by 7 pm I am done. I end up being short and snappy with DD1 because she is driving me nuts. I have to ask her 5+ times to do something, she flips out over everything, and she constantly wakes F up. I always end up feeling bad that I snap at her.  Please tell me I am not alone.

How are other STM+ doing? How are you handling the baby and the toddler/s?

[mrsk91011]

You are definitely not alone.

DD has been having some behavior issues and, while we are getting them under control, it is so exhausting. So I've been trying to put DS in his bouncy seat when he sleeps so I can devote more time and attention to DD in those moments. There just are no breaks in the day for me time which, I think, is the hardest part.

[rondosa]

I'm doing okay so far but I have a lot of help. My mom is here til the end of the month and this is DH's slow season so he's home a lot too.

We have DS1in daycare two days a week to help me this year but I'm not sure we can afford it to be honest. And also he cries every time we drop him off. Every time. So that makes it stressful all morning until he's there.

He was home these last two weeks tho because bonding with baby brother, and he had a double ear infection. That made it harder.

I'm scared for once DS2 gets on a nap schedule in a couple of months and it's the opposite of DS1. Then what?

[Maggie0424]

I can relate. DD has been so dramatic and I think she purposely cries over everything to get attention. I'm so thankful that she goes to school 2 days a week. My MIL is here indefinitely but there's pros and cons to that too. She's also 75 so she tired easily and doesn't help out all that much.

[sunflwra]

My savior has been that DD1 is in DC 4 days a week. I've only had both at home with help so far, so we'll see how next week goes when everyone is gone. DD1 has been much more challenging in the past month and even though thankfully none of it is directed at Gracie, I hate getting so frustrated at her and DH and I are definitely tag teaming with the discipline. I honestly don't know how people do it when they are outnumbered!

[aylafsu1881]

Glad to know I am not alone. DD1 goes to preschool during the day which is nice but the afternoon/evening is tough. I feel so guilty being the grumpy mom. I just have to keep telling myself that this to shall pass.

[Squishy622]

I might be jinxing myself by putting this in writing so often, but karma's little gift to me for a rough pregnancy and newborn twins has been a unicorn toddler. Other than having a cold on and off since the babies were born, she's been great. Don't get me wrong, she is still quite the threenager (and in preschool full time, which is a huge help obviously), but she's been more of a help than anything else so far.

[stephyfaith]

Well it's been interesting... I was very proud of myself getting both kids and myself fed, dressed (with one pumping session thrown in there for my stash) and out the door in 1 hour and 40 mins on Sunday. DD is doing alright. She has some jealous moments but overall loves her brother. What's tough is DS likes to be up and super fussy around 10 pm-2 am. DD gets up around 7ish so DH and I have been switching off who stays up with DS. Thankfully he's still in the sleepy during the day phase and is almost always sleeping when DD naps so we try to nap then too if we can. I'm grateful DH has a flexible job and can usually get up with DD in the morning.

[coffee001]

I feel like in starting to get used to having 3. Mornings and bedtime are hard. Ryker wants to nurse as im trying to get z and Ty ready for school and out to the bus stop. So it's a little rush. Bedtimes hard because DH works late so it's still just me. Ryker wants to nurse right as the boys are getting put down. So he screams while I finish putting the boys down

I think I am getting used to running on caffeine. Ryker sleeps good till 2 then is up till 5 then right as I get him down ds2 wakes up at at 5:30, which drives me crazy but other then that Ds2 is my super easy going kid. so he is so content playing during the day or just snuggling with me and watching a cartoon. While I nurse.

[aylafsu1881]

[quote author="randomosity" And the fact that he loves being worn helps so much! I feel much more confident about taking them out. It was so much harder going to run errands with a baby that wanted to be held in arms only (because they also hated sitting in a car seat...). It's like, "yep, just throwing one more into the chaos!"[/quote]


Yes. This has been a life saver. F likes the ring sling and will chill out in there. We had a good time this weekend at the pumpkin patch.

[aylafsu1881]

RJBrownie I agree. I like being alone. I found myself entertaining my mom and MIL when they are here. IIt ends up being more work for me. Then I have to clean up after they leave. Not fun

[link7913]

Hugs Ladies! Being a mom is a hard job!

We are doing well overall (we are all still alive anyway). DD1 has been going to daycare 4 days a week. It is hard being home with both by myself, but more because I have feelings of guilt - guilt that I can't hold LO more & guilt that DD1 & I are no longer free to go do fun things as frequently. It's just a hard balance.

Today, the cat pooped on the floor, DD1 pooped her pants & LO peed on me. Frustrating.

[link7913]

Also, a question for all of you: what activities do you have your toddler do while you are busy rocking/soothing/nursing the baby?

[coffee001]

link7913, I went and got a big poster boards from the dollar store and I get crayons and stickers and let him go to town, or pull out a set of either cars, paw patrol set, blocks or big Legos. Or I will read him a book while nursing

If I am feeling brave, I will pull out a big sheet and let ds play with play dough in the floor then I can just shake the sheet outside. Or use water and cups let him pour and stack, I have a big tub/ bin thing and put a little water and some cups or medicine dropper. If I feel up to it I will put different food coloring in different cups and let him mix them.
But he can do that when I am on the couch and he will sit in the floor and I can talk him threw it.

I have so many ideas from Pinterest, just depends how much energy I want to put in it.

Edit: ds2 is almost three and very independent so if I put out an activity he is really good just sitting and playing with it.

[aylafsu1881]

Oct 20, 2015 14:29:29 GMT -5 link7913 said:

Also, a question for all of you: what activities do you have your toddler do while you are busy rocking/soothing/nursing the baby?

I bought some paints and some crafts from Target and Hobby Lobby. I pull them out and she paints/colors while I nurse/hold the baby. She painted a pumpkin on Sun which was fun and an hour activity for her.

[Squishy622]

Oct 20, 2015 14:53:30 GMT -5 aylafsu1881 said:

Oct 20, 2015 14:29:29 GMT -5 link7913 said:

Also, a question for all of you: what activities do you have your toddler do while you are busy rocking/soothing/nursing the baby?

I bought some paints and some crafts from Target and Hobby Lobby. I pull them out and she paints/colors while I nurse/hold the baby. She painted a pumpkin on Sun which was fun and an hour activity for her.

You are a brave woman. I'm no neat freak but paint only happens here under very tight supervision!

[mrsslick]

DS1 has been struggling. His behavior has been not great but we've been trying to be understanding and just being more structured and making a point to give him individual attention as much as possible.

He has been having some questions surrounding adoption and specifically his adoption since we brought his little brother home. We're just answering things as best we can for now.

All that said, he loves his brother and loves to hold him and kiss him. He sings to him and has to say hello and goodbye when coming/leaving. He's so sweet with him.

[mrsk91011]

Oct 20, 2015 14:29:29 GMT -5 link7913 said:

Also, a question for all of you: what activities do you have your toddler do while you are busy rocking/soothing/nursing the baby?

Coloring books and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We started a project with her to turn a box into a rocketship for her so she likes to color that, too. DD is pretty good at entertaining herself so that helps a lot.

[coffee001]

Oct 20, 2015 16:23:52 GMT -5 mrsk91011 said:

Oct 20, 2015 14:29:29 GMT -5 link7913 said:

Also, a question for all of you: what activities do you have your toddler do while you are busy rocking/soothing/nursing the baby?

Coloring books and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We started a project with her to turn a box into a rocketship for her so she likes to color that, too. DD is pretty good at entertaining herself so that helps a lot.

Lol I totally forgot about Mickey Mouse club house. How could I forget his favorite thing, ds LOVES mickey.

[aylafsu1881]

Oct 20, 2015 15:34:46 GMT -5 Squishy622 said:

Oct 20, 2015 14:53:30 GMT -5 aylafsu1881 said:

I bought some paints and some crafts from Target and Hobby Lobby. I pull them out and she paints while I nurse/hold the baby. She painted a pumpkin on Sun which was fun and an hour activity for her.

You are a brave woman. I'm no neat freak but paint only happens here under very tight supervision!

Oh we do them outside or on the back patio. The weather is still warm here so it is nice. Plus the paints are washable. I learned the hard way about non washable ones.