A guest blog by Gretchen S.
So you’re thinking about having a second baby? Maybe you are already pregnant and anticipating the little one’s arrival. Here is a list of things I wish I would have anticipated before I brought my second one home.
1. You will be Hormonal. You think you know that now, but you will forget when it actually happens and think you are going insane or that everyone else is going insane (especially your MIL and DH). You will cry in the coming weeks. Maybe you don’t think you have a reason to cry, but you will just NEED to. This may be the body’s way of flushing out excess water weight and those annoying hormones.
2. You might question whether you are the first person in history who can’t handle having two children, especially if the 1st child is under the age of 3 and at home with you 24/7. (Warning: these thoughts may trigger aforementioned hormonal crying.) Don’t worry – this WILL pass. For me it was when my 2nd daughter was 3 months old. For others it takes longer and for a lucky few, it passes even sooner.
3. When you see your firstborn (FB) after bringing home your newborn (NB), your FB is going to look like a bobble-headed giant. The day before your second child arrives, you may cuddle your FB and kiss him/her and call him/her your baby, but the truth of the matter is, that as soon as your second baby arrives, you will see their once cute feet as big and stinky, their butts as big and ugly. Ewww, how could you possibly change the diapers of this man-child??
4. You will feel guilty: for making comparisons, for giving too much attention, for not giving enough attention. The list goes on and on and on. Example: Even though you’d swore you wouldn’t, you will tell your oldest to get out of the way so you can get a picture of “the baby.” Then you will feel guilty and spend way too much time taking extra pictures of your FB.
5. Your FB will try to pick up the baby by the neck. You will yell. Your FB will cry. The baby will cry. He just wanted to hold the baby/ hug the baby – he’ll explain through blubbering tears. You will comfort the NB. Give FB a glare. You will calm down. You will feel guilty. You will turn on a movie and the three of you will cuddle on the couch and eat candy…again.
6. It really is possible to love more than just one person so deeply.
7. It really is possible to be driven so crazy by more than just one person.
8. You will occasionally muster the strength after round-the-clock feedings with your NB to read books to your FB.
9. You will regularly muster the strength after round-the-clock feedings with your NB to press play on your DVD player for your FB while you try to doze on the couch. It still counts as quality time, right?
10. You will think your family is the best in the world. You will be right. When you see your two little ones together you will hardly believe that you are so fortunate. You will thank God for blessing you so abundantly.
Have you had a second child and have some advice to share? What was your experience?
This was a great post. I totally agree with all statements.
Just wait until a third comes along! Then the chaos really begins! Great post 🙂
Funny and frank post – loved it!