Life with two has been difficult!!! Everything from a hard c-section recovery to Ami being diagnosed with a form of hip dysplasia and placed in a brace to help correct it. Not to mention m y mom having emergency surgery to remove a tumor they found in her small intestine. So to say it was a heavy, exhausting season in life is an understatement. But like everything, this too shall pass was my mantra.
Bjorn bouncy seat (this toy attachment is her favorite right now helped a lot! we sometimes put this on the island so she can see me and it keeps her happy, obviously be super careful if you do this but it just works for us.)
Sollybaby wrap (I have used this EVERY SINGLE DAY, fussy baby, need free hands, making dinner, bath time or even just getting fresh air. can seem a bit tricky at first but after a few times I could wrap it with my eyes closed. keeps the baby close, no strangers touching said baby and toddler gets mamas attention.)
iPad mini (or any tablet) /iPad butterfly case ( we've had this one for 2 years and love it!) (big tip is lose the mom-guilt for screen time, we are in SURVIVAL MODE.
Uppababy skate board - we also got this seat but she feels so dang cool on the skate board, and used this so much while traveling. or even just the days I don't want to pull out the double stroller.
DockAtot goodness gracious this expensive little baby thing is just like magic. especially for those of us that co-sleep during the hard core cluster feeding days. keeps baby safe too!
Ask & Accept Help. Hire a mother's helper (post coming up on that soon!), or a baby sitter or simply accept help. Say yes to getting someone to entertain your toddler, do the dishes, bring you coffee, make or bring or better yet drop off dinner. Just say yes to help. You can't do it alone and it's honestly ok. Just take the help!
4 Moms Swing (we barely used with Zoe as a preemie but with #2 we use every day, it gives me 15 minutes to prep dinner or hold my clingy toddler)
Ready Made Meals - accept all meals, these salads and fit meals from Amazon Fresh have been life saving, lunches for me and the hubby that keep us fed and on track.
Grocery delivery. - goodness I love food market trips. I love looking at everything int he aisle, planning out recipes/meals and seeing what is new in all the aisles. But doing it with a toddler and newborn in the middle of the winter was a quick HELL NO. In comes in Amazon Fresh, LIFE CHANGING. There selection of organic produce, meats is awesome. Packaging is really great and keeps everything in great shape. I stick to a budget better, meal plan and it's delivered to. my. door. Guysssss, Amazon is life. Check out what services are local to you and jump on the wagon, ASAP.
Oh and this white board (for practicing letters, drawing pictures and learning shapes, all while mama nurses) which so many of you asked about on my insta stories has been great too for entertaining Zoe anywhere!
I will also say is, remember how quick the time went by with your first? Well it will go by 100 X quicker with the second, soak it up. Let the housework go, the dishes can wait (shoot if you can move around the budget and hire someone to deep clean every 2 weeks, do it!) order out or leave the fancy meals and make sandwiches for dinner, because these tiny itty bitty newborn days fly by.
My biggest lesson has been go to bed when your toddler does. Do it. I mean you will be nursing or feeding your tiny baby through the night but getting the rest was keyyyyyy for successful days with a toddler. I still do it with Ami now and most nights eat dinner with Zoe and although I feel guilty about not spending extra time with the hubby (I know we will eventually go back to our routine ) the extra rest is so essential with surviving toddler meltdowns/tantrums/power struggles.
I had to remember that this time is all about change for Zoe too. Along with all the developmental leaps/learning/growth that she was going through, she also lost my 100% attention and it was easier for both of us when I was semi rested.