Motherhood is pretty rad.
Having Hunter was one of the best, most amazing experiences of my life. It was seriously life changing. I am thankful everyday that I get to be called his mother.
Having Zoe was fantastic and familiar, but also unique as every birth is. I looked forward to it with excitement and less worry. She is such a blessing to my life and I am thankful everyday that I get to be called her mother.
I am almost 9 months into being a mother of two young kids (Hunter is almost 2.5 years old and Zoe is almost 9 months old). I feel like I can finally look back a bit and get a gauge on what mothering two has really been like. While going from one to two is not as drastic as going from zero to one, there are definite changes, challenges and so many positives. These observations are mostly on the past 4-5 months, because really those first few months are all about survival. They are tough without a doubt!
On mothering two… the tougher times
I never leave the house early and barely squeak out on time. Getting out of the house is an event of it’s own. Gotta make sure the diaper bag is ready, backup undies and pants for the tot are packed, snacks and water to take, all my stuff can’t be forgotten, make sure everyone is dressed and the babe has a dry diaper (they seriously always poop about 5 minutes before you need to leave), get the toddler to potty before leaving then get shoes on, the baby in her car seat and getting out the door with everyone and everything. Can I take a nap now?
Free time during nap time doesn’t exist much anyone. With one I could rely on a solid 1.5-2.5 hours of afternoon free time. Now about once maybe twice a week I get them napping for more than 45 minutes at the same time. I’m not saying I need a couple of quiet hours in the afternoon, but I wouldn’t hate it. Showers are nice for everyone around me.
When one is freaking out crying loud and wanting your attention or to be held, chances are the other one will too. It’s a law.
Embracing the loud is now a norm. Sometimes it’s happy loud, sometimes it is very much not happy loud coming from these kiddos.
I sleep less for sure now that we have two. The toddler more easily wakes in the early morning and doesn’t go back to sleep very well if he’s up in the ⅚am hour. This baby girl doesn’t like to be consistent with her sleep. I need more coffee. Always.
I totally thought the kids would be sharing a room months back. Many, many, many months back. It’s been a rough road and at almost 9 months I think they’re close (we’re 3 days in once again so who knows what tomorrow holds) and both getting relatively good sleep. I never thought she would be a pack-n-play for so long but it goes to show kids do get a bit of a say in how things go down.
On mothering two… the wonderful times
Having two kids is awesome. Zoe is at the stage where she likes playing with toys more now and can scoot around to try and get them. If it’s out of reach and she’s not happy about it, but say I’m in the middle of cooking, I now have a little fella that will gladly get things for her when I ask. He is always so excited to help make her happy.
I get to watch Hunter’s sweet, kind and loving heart grow right in front of me. He shares with Zoe because it makes her happy. He gives her kisses and hugs if she’s hurt. He is excited when she’s awake and loves making her laugh.
I love watching their bond and friendship grow. Yes, having kids less than two years apart is tough (see above), but I so want them to be close and have close relationships. That they grow up playing together and being one a others best friend. I get to watch the beginnings of that, every single wonderful day.
When you have one kid, your heart is filled with love for that child. It’s full to the brim. You can’t imagine another child taking up any of that love. Then you have a second and no love is taken away, your heart just gets to grow to add more and more love for your second child. Every bit of challenge that comes along with mothering two kids is met 10 fold with love, joy and insane happiness I honestly can’t describe. It’s easy to remember the days that challenged me, because it was a distinct moment in time where I had to make a decision on how to handle a situation. It’s harder to remember the words Hunter said that made me smile, the cute giggles Zoe made while getting a bath or the look they gave each other when playing happily together. Yet there are so many more of those moments that make my mama heart fill even more past the brim.
Yup, motherhood is pretty rad.
Heather
5 comments
I love this! My kids will be 22 months apart when baby #2 is born in May. I haven’t been nervous yet, but I know that will change. It will be SO challenging, but the joys will be even bigger. Thanks for sharing – you have a beautiful family!
And youre such an awesome mom! Love this post
Awesome post. As a mom of two I can totally relate although my situation is a bit different. I have a 9 year old girl and 7 month old boy. And even though it’s easier in some ways in many it’s the same lol 🙂
beautiful. it’s a great mix of hard and fulfilling. God made it that way I think…like “WE EARNED THESE KIDS!”
You speak the truth! My kids are similar in age to yours, and man, it’s hard sometimes! But all the good times…the times that go smoothly, the laughs, the milestones, the moments they share…they make all those hard times completely worth it!