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Original poster

Oh the relentlessness of a two year old and pregnancy

39 replies

sofasonmondays · 27/12/2021 18:12

I'm literally dragging myself around all day. Struggling so much to keep my almost 2 year old entertained.

I'm just so tired all the time.

How do people survive?

Any tips of low energy activities to do with her ? Even dragging her and myself to bed every night is a struggle. Cooking is a struggle. Everything is a struggle.

I just want to sleep and not get out of bed, I'm so tired. Everything hurts, I still throw up regularly and feel nauseous most of the time.

My DH is at home at the moment on holidays but he's been doing man stuff, like tidying the garage and sorting out bins etc. So whilst he does help somewhat, it's not enough it seems.

She got so many cool toys for Christmas, yet she's mainly interested in running around causing trouble. Climbing on chairs to get to stuff she shouldn't. Moving chairs to then climb on the kitchen island etc etc. Opening and closing doors. Jumping around on the sofa etc.

Any tips on how to make this easier and keep her more entertained ?

OP posts:
villainousbroodmare · 27/12/2021 18:17

Check your iron levels. I was so exhausted when pregnant with a 2yo, I remember sitting on the ground in a playground and wondering if I was going to have to ask a stranger to help me up.

Original poster
sofasonmondays · 27/12/2021 18:19

@villainousbroodmare

Check your iron levels. I was so exhausted when pregnant with a 2yo, I remember sitting on the ground in a playground and wondering if I was going to have to ask a stranger to help me up.
I'm getting shakey after not eating for a few hours. Good shout about iron levels. I have thrown up a lot during this pregnancy.
OP posts:
Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 27/12/2021 18:23

Your DH needs to do more to help. Is clearing the garage really a priority?

Chiwi · 27/12/2021 18:23

I'm 2 weeks pp and my DD is just about to turn 2. I had severe PGP and it was absolutely fucking horrendous. We did a lot of sticker books and playdoh.

The relentlessness and sleep deprivation of a newborn is welcome in comparison to my pregnancy so hoping it will be the same for you.

I really feel for you, it's just really really awful

Ericaequites · 27/12/2021 18:23

If you want better inside behavior, take her on a long walk, or courage her to run around in the garden or at a playground. It’s hard when you are so tired.

Michellexxx · 27/12/2021 18:24

Can you try and set up ‘activities’? A tray with rice/cereal/porridge or whatever is in the cupboard, with some spoons/plastic tubs kept mine entertained for a good 20 mins. Same with water play. Get the colander and put spaghetti in the holes. A bottle with Pom poms and get them to put them in, then out.
Still annoying to tidy though, so weigh it up!

The cutlery drawer bit from the dishwasher was also a hit with kind just carrying it and filling it up.
Good luck!

Fieldings15 · 27/12/2021 18:26

Yep it's really hard. I had my second 8 weeks ago when ds1 was 2 3/4, actually despite less sleep I have felt much better since ds2 was born. Just felt crap for most of the pregnancy. Definitely agree with getting your oh to step up - mine had to as I had some serious health issues in the first trimester which left me in hospital. And don't feel guilty about using the TV! Good luck, hope things improve.

Original poster
sofasonmondays · 27/12/2021 18:26

@Michellexxx

Can you try and set up ‘activities’? A tray with rice/cereal/porridge or whatever is in the cupboard, with some spoons/plastic tubs kept mine entertained for a good 20 mins. Same with water play. Get the colander and put spaghetti in the holes. A bottle with Pom poms and get them to put them in, then out. Still annoying to tidy though, so weigh it up!

The cutlery drawer bit from the dishwasher was also a hit with kind just carrying it and filling it up.
Good luck!

She loves this ! Makes such a mess thought. But I'll get some stuff out. Good idea. We also used to do a lot of water play at the sink.
OP posts:
villainousbroodmare · 27/12/2021 18:26

I had twins, and I promise you it was genuinely so much easier to have two newborns and a toddler than a dragging belly and a toddler.

Original poster
sofasonmondays · 27/12/2021 18:28

@Chiwi

I'm 2 weeks pp and my DD is just about to turn 2. I had severe PGP and it was absolutely fucking horrendous. We did a lot of sticker books and playdoh.

The relentlessness and sleep deprivation of a newborn is welcome in comparison to my pregnancy so hoping it will be the same for you.

I really feel for you, it's just really really awful

Ah that's good to hear. Yes when DD came along, I also felt so much better PP than during the pregnancy.

I don't deal well with pregnancy at all !

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 27/12/2021 18:29

As an emergency, I get the iPad and set it up in her cot with peppa pig and chuck her in there while I have a nap on the floor nearby

villainousbroodmare · 27/12/2021 18:30

Duplo, the Melissa & Doug jigsaws with sound effects, and Djeco stacking boxes were the toys that achieved most for me. Also worth spending a bit of time in the library to choose your maximum allocation of picture books.

RoastedTurnip · 27/12/2021 18:31

Colouring? Those mess free Crayola sets are brill if a little bit expensive

abbs1 · 27/12/2021 18:45

I completely feel you. My DS is 21 months and im 30 weeks pregnant. Running after him all day getting up to mischief is hard. My DH helps out a lot but if hes busy we have Child locks everywhere on doors as well so I keep DS contained in the lounge to play. If I need a few mins to myself I put on a couple of his favourite tv programmes currently Zog and stickman which he sits and watches before hes off again climbing on things, jumping off the settee.

I cannot wait for this pregnancy to be over. Thankfully its not as bad as my last pregnancy with severe hyperemesis but sleepless nights I'd take over PGP and bump.

Original poster
sofasonmondays · 27/12/2021 18:50

@abbs1

I completely feel you. My DS is 21 months and im 30 weeks pregnant. Running after him all day getting up to mischief is hard. My DH helps out a lot but if hes busy we have Child locks everywhere on doors as well so I keep DS contained in the lounge to play. If I need a few mins to myself I put on a couple of his favourite tv programmes currently Zog and stickman which he sits and watches before hes off again climbing on things, jumping off the settee.

I cannot wait for this pregnancy to be over. Thankfully its not as bad as my last pregnancy with severe hyperemesis but sleepless nights I'd take over PGP and bump.

We don't have any child locks, as we recently moved. So she's got free reign. I struggle most with getting her up and downstairs for naps and bed times.

At least we have stair gates

OP posts:
TeddyTonksGirlfriend · 27/12/2021 19:04

Another one here to say baby+toddler is easier than pregnancy+toddler. At least you can out baby down when you need to chase/wrangle the older one Grin

I used to go up to bed with DS when I was pregnant and he would watch an hour if TV in bed with me while I had a doze! It was brill.

Letsbekindplease · 27/12/2021 19:17

You aren’t selling this to me. I too am in the same position and not even half way and the pgp has just started and already agony. Help

Original poster
sofasonmondays · 27/12/2021 19:18

@TeddyTonksGirlfriend

Another one here to say baby+toddler is easier than pregnancy+toddler. At least you can out baby down when you need to chase/wrangle the older one Grin

I used to go up to bed with DS when I was pregnant and he would watch an hour if TV in bed with me while I had a doze! It was brill.

Thanks for reminding me !
OP posts:
Original poster
sofasonmondays · 27/12/2021 19:19

@Letsbekindplease

You aren’t selling this to me. I too am in the same position and not even half way and the pgp has just started and already agony. Help
How many weeks are you ? I'm 22 weeks and I had terrible PGP in my first pregnancy. I literally could barely walk. But I swear it had started by now ? Can I get away with not getting it this time perhaps! That would be amazing.
OP posts:
abbs1 · 27/12/2021 19:19

Definitely get some as soon as you can. My DS was opening doors, climbing on the table, window ledges, kitchen counters, getting in the toilet, everywhere so we can now lock him out and its so much easier.
I'm exactly the same as you on stairs and nap and bedtime. Its so difficult and DS thinks its all a game so runs around laughing and trying to get away from me all the time.
Today my back is wrecked. I can hardly walk my PGP is so bad. Thankfully hes nearly a sleep now so i can relax.

How much longer have you got till baby comes?

girlmom21 · 27/12/2021 19:20

@RoastedTurnip

Colouring? Those mess free Crayola sets are brill if a little bit expensive
Oh god these are incredible. OP get some!
Original poster
sofasonmondays · 27/12/2021 19:23

@abbs1

Definitely get some as soon as you can. My DS was opening doors, climbing on the table, window ledges, kitchen counters, getting in the toilet, everywhere so we can now lock him out and its so much easier. I'm exactly the same as you on stairs and nap and bedtime. Its so difficult and DS thinks its all a game so runs around laughing and trying to get away from me all the time. Today my back is wrecked. I can hardly walk my PGP is so bad. Thankfully hes nearly a sleep now so i can relax.

How much longer have you got till baby comes?

Yes and then when you're trying to change nappies or dress them and having to wrangle them and chase them. It's tough ! You have to have the strength to do it. I wish I could have waited until she was 4 or so.
OP posts:
Doughnuttie · 27/12/2021 19:45

In a similar boat here, 23 weeks pregnant with a just-turned-2YO who’s running me ragged. I have to take him out of the house at least once a day so he can let off steam, even if it’s just a walk around the block - which is tiring for little legs! I don’t know what your routine is like with DD but we have relatively set meal times to give the day some structure and after lunch he does down for his nap which gives me some respite, I nap too if I’m exhausted. He’s obsessed with cars so we sit on the floor and play with his matchbox cars or do some colouring which is quite low impact for me! I fortunately don’t have the health issues you’re referring to, apart from mild sciatica, so I appreciate that makes things that much more difficult. 😞 Toddler+pregnancy is tough.

TooMuchBlippi · 27/12/2021 19:49

I have a 14 week old and 27 month old and it's been wayyyy easier since baby was born. I think I only survived as I was WFH so napping every lunch. I found it helped getting the toddler out first thing when I still had some energy, then afternoons he would potter around the house. We watched far too much TV but we were desperate. It was horrendous so you have my sympathies!

minniep · 27/12/2021 19:52

No real advice OP but you have my upmost sympathy. Being pregnant with small children is a form of torture. Having a toddler and a newborn is an absolute breeze in comparison .