Going from 1 to 2: what do you wish you'd done differently??

[Smittals]

...because when you're pregnant the first time, 'everyone' says get lots of sleep while you have the chance, go out a lot, take those last minute holidays while you still can etc etc. But what are the things you wish you'd done second time around before DC2 arrived? Am hoping to conceive DC2 this summer but not sure I'm ready tbh - DD is so lovely ()that I think sharing this early time with DC2 might be a shame plus I'm still feeling quite used up / achey / prematurely old from the first time around! However, at 36, the clock is ticking so also feel we should get on with it.

I am expecting DC2 in July so I will be watching this with interest

hi all, i went from one to two at the begining of january and the best advice i can give you is to get dc1 used to waiting for things, my ds1 has only just started to accept the phrase you will have to wait!!
i had a kitchen floor covered in milk last week because he'd got bored of me feeding and decided to get his own milk hes two and a half!! it will be harder than you expect but it is doubly rewarding, i'm loving having two!!

hth, good luck!
x

hello - i went from 1 to 2 20 months ago (now thinking about no. 3 ). It's really hard work, but pays back loads once they can play together - for me, DD1 was 2 and 7 days when DD2 was born, I found it really really hard as i idolised DD1 and suddenly overnight i expected her to behave like a grown up (she was 2, fgs) and understand about babies, and she could do nothing right for a while which makes me v in reterospect. Now my dd2 is nearly two i realised I missed this huge part of dd1's life because i was pregnant or breastfeeding or just resting...but it's all so worth it in the long run as they are best friends and play so nicely together. It only got easy in the last 6 months or so though(!). Sorry - this isn't very helpful, is it?!

I wish I'd done more with ds before dd was born
Gone out and about with him more
But hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Good luck xxx

tbh there is nothing I wish I had done differently. Thats not to say everything was perfect or as I would have wanted things but in the end when had two DDs who now adore each other (when not fighting like mad). When I was pregnant with DD2 my mother in law died very suddenly and both DH and I were made redundant (worked at the same place) so it was a very stressful time and the pregnancy got pretty much ignored .

Time flew by, I was very busy arranging things at work (as the company was selling up) and DH was away a lot and I have to say that some days I forgot I was pregnant. DD2 was born a few hours into the day after DD1s 2nd birthday and I did my best to give DD1 a good second birthday. At the time it felt like I was saying goodbye to something very special betwen the two of us. Now I know differently.

If you feel you want another baby go for it, if not, wait. The family dynamics change when a new baby arrives and there are pros and cons but in the end, your DD will likely have a friend for life.

If there was anything I would change it would be to spend so much time worrying about how I would cope with two. You just do (although one seems sooooo easy after you have had two .

Sorry for rambling on, bad case of pregnancy brain - DC3 on the way in a few weeks

I am reading this with interest. Hoping to go from 1 to 2.

22 months between my too. The only thing I regret is that when dd was born it felt as if ds was "older" than he actually was... (does this make sense?)

It is great now my 2 can play together, but at first it was hard going. There is only 1 year 2 weeks between them so dd was only just walking when ds arrived. Its like having twins now dd 2 next week and ds 1 in 3 they entertain each other etc I love it.

Thanks everyone! and lol at olliesmummy's advice - patience is definitely not one of dd's traits! I think we will wait a while longer before there's another pregnancy on the scene (nature permitting of course!! )

i am 7w pregnant with my second, my DD will be 2 years and 10mths when number 2 comes. she was very ill after she was born, and so is very precious to us. part of me is worried about how our family dynamic will change, but in the end i'm sure it will ok for everyone, after all it has to be!

Can I join in too? DS is 5 and will be nearly 6 when (if all goes well) DC2 comes along some time in Nov. DS will be so excited when we tell him. It's all he's wanted - a baby brother or sister for him to play with and share his Thomas'!! I feel much more relaxed about this one. Maybe cos it's very early days and nothing's certain yet.

Watching with interest too - due with #2 in September!
myjobismum - lovely to see you here, congratulations on being due in October - what happened to the other nice ladies on your "TTC after Christmas" thread; hopefully lots of good news!