2Nd Boy on the Way

J.
You lucky girl! 2 boys close in age is soooooo much fun. My oldest 2 are boys not quite 2 years apart. I have LOVED it!
They are buddies, and always have someone to play with. At Disney they always have a "friend" to go on a ride with. Really, having 2 same-sex siblings close in age is GREAT.

I couldn't have done it without a double stroller. My boys are older(14/12) so that goes back quite a bit but I had the Peg Perego double stroller where one sits in front of the other. I liked that seating option because I used it at the mall a lot and it was better to navigate the aisles.The side by sides are a little more complicated that way.

Best of luck to you!
N.

My boys are 18 months apart.

We also kept the room the same, and changed the name on the wall. :)

I consider a stroller essential. I have the Phil & Ted's sport with carseat attachment, and I LOVE it!! It is a little pricey, but it is great. It is essentially the same size as my Graco single!!

As far as monitors go, I have the summer infant video monitor with an extra camera. The receiver can toggle back and forth between the two different rooms.

An infant carrier is also a lifesaver. I have the snugli vent and have literally worn it out!!

Best of Luck!

My sons are not that close together, but I used everything from the first with the second. I would advise you invest in a double stroller or you could get the double stroller that converts one seat into a sit and stand. I saw it in a catalog. The catalog name may have been One Step Ahead or something like that. Congratulations!!!

My kids are 17 months apart. I might recommend a stroller where the old can sit/stand and then the baby is up front. We also use a jeep double side by side stroller when traveling--I agree--the baby sling was the most impt especially for grocery stores.

I also got my son a doll that he could feed, change the diaper etc...really helped those first few weeks home from the hospital because he did what mommy was doing. He really wanted to help and be involved so it was a struggle to find things for him to do--so you can be thinking about that--have a way for him to bring you diapers or toys.

My two girls are 15 months apart and I could not have survived without the double stroller. Mine was front/back, not side by side. It was heavy, but I didn't care. Now I have "mom muscles" to show for it. lol

Definitely get a double stroller if you ever plan on leaving the house! Ours are 22 months apart. We bought a used Graco duoglider for $40 and used it until the baby could sit up well and had moved to the convertible/rear facing toddler car seat. Then we sold the duoglider to a resale shop and bought a compact side-by-side double (Inglesina Twin Swift). Your pack n play will come in handy -- mainly for discipline and safety reasons. We used the pack n play as a quiet time place for the older child when I would need to tend to the baby for longer periods of time, like for a feeding. If you have 2 pack n plays, you could put a kid in each one with a few toys and get a few minutes to yourself (this takes some training to get the older one used to being in there).
Baby Einstein or Wiggles DVDs -- as careful as you may have been to keep your 13month old away from the TV, a 15-20 minute video time will be a life-saver so you can feed the baby, prepare a meal, or just use the bathroom!
A back-pack diaper bag -- anything that keeps your hands free.
A car bottle warmer -- I never had one, but several times wished I'd had it. For some reason we were on the go more after the second, and this would have come in handy. I guess we survived without it though!
Sleeping: decide when you're moving the older child to a toddler or twin bed. We moved our first at 17 months so it wouldn't be "new" at the same time as we had a baby. We have friends who have kids 18 months apart and moved theirs at 17 months. It was an easy transition for all of us.
Feeding: You'll need a booster for the older child when the baby starts needing the high chair.
And, if you haven't already childproofed the house, get it done quick! Goo all out -- bolt or tie bookshelves to the wall, make sure all the plugs are covered and cords are in cord-keepers, get a toilet lid lock, put tot locks on any cabinet that you don't want to have to re-organize after a toddler empties it to hide inside, not just the dangerous stuff. Get a baby gate or two. It takes a toddler about 0.5 seconds to wreak havoc on the house if he notices you're distracted by the baby.
The baby gate was handy for our daughter's bedroom door when she first moved to the big girl bed. We didn't want to shut the door, but we couldn't risk a 2 yr old running around the house while we slept. We also put a small gate in the fireplace opening, and had another gate that could block off the play room. The babies could play safely in there (where I could see them) while I worked in the kitchen.
Basically, think of the gear you need in terms of managing two little people who need you at the same time :-), and how you can keep one safe while you have your attention on the other.

A double stroller is a must if you like to get out much - parks, malls, etc. The thing you will really need is a sling or wrap of some type. You'll get a ton of different suggestions if you ask which is best, but I really suggest going to a specialty store such as The Nesting Place or Peppermint to really try a few. Personally I liked the wrap best for the first few months and now I really just use my Green Pea Designs (Hotsling style) sling.

Hey J.,
I am in the EXACT same boat! 13 month old and one due at the end of May. (are you Jaxon's mama by any chance?) I am enjoying reading all of the advice you are getting. We don't know what we're having yet. I am hoping for a girl, but anticipating them to tell me it's another boy.

Congratulations! Life gets more exciting when you start adding siblings. I was given a double stroller when we had our second. I used it all the time. We lived in an upstairs apartment at the time and it was awkard to get the stroller out, but it helped.
What I found even more essential was a handsfree baby carrier of some sort. I had a Maya sling and a Moby wrap. Liked them both. I also had a backpack style carrier. Hated it. It was horribly uncomfortable. Anyway, find one that works for you. It makes life so much easier.

My boys are 25months apart. You need a double stroller. We have the sit and stand and you can also use the carrier on it as well. Just make sure it has a lot of storage room and cup holders, and can be pushed with one hand if needed.
If you plan to breast feed. Keep books or flash cards near by so when the older one wants you to play you don't have to say I can't I'm feeding your brother. It is a really sad thing to say. When the baby is new be sure to let him touch and see the baby. Try not to tell him not to touch the baby but to be gentel with it,point out his eyes and nose and everything else. I would love to tell you that you won't be tired or anything but you will and just try and have everything ready beforehe gets here. Have a few meals frozen or family members that can make you dinner and take the oldest for special trips to the store. Let him pick out something for the baby. We wanted our son to be with us once we got home for the most part b/c I didn't want him to feel like we didn't want him anymore, or he had been replaced. We also kept the nursery the same and switched him to a big boy room but a few months before so it didn't seem like the baby pushed him out.
Get the new baby on a good routine fast and somewhat the same as the older one, atleast their naptime.
We got our son a big brother gift he was into CARS so we got him new cars and Mack. He really didn't care about the baby after that. My boys were both born in the winter however the first one was just a bigger baby than the second so he can't wear all of his big brothers clothes.
Just be consistant and remember to enjoy life, they grow twice as fast when you have 2.

Hi J..
I am in the exact same situation. My son is almost 1 and we are due with #2 in June, also another boy.
I am getting the Peg Aria 60/40 stroller too. It is so light. My friend with twins loves hers and she used it since they were born.
I already have the Chicco travel system and that infant carrier fits in the 60 side. The lady at Lonestar baby told me to buy it pretty quick b/c they are changing the style. So - I need to do that.
I am planning my oldest son's big boy room which will have a twin bed (bunk beds actually). I am nervous about moving him in there at 18 months but I might not. We kept my first son in our room til 6 months but I don't want to do that again ... we'll just see.
I am keeping the nursery the same too, just changing the name on the wall. (my husband said this was good for these economic times, lol)
Need to think about a monitor. We already have a video monitor. Can't imagine having 2.
I am so happy about our addition but really I'm scared when I think about it. The good thing is that I'm so busy, I rarely have time to think about it, lol.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

I am in the same boat...I am due in 9 days and the boys will be 18 months apart exactly...

We gave our first a new room and kept the nursery the same, i am just changing out the name on the wall (when we decide on one!!). We moved Luke into his "big boy room" about 6 weeks ago because I wanted to give him plenty of time to adjust. I have not made a big deal out of the new baby because I am not too sure how much he can really "get it" until it is here. We talk about it, he knows a baby is in mommy's belly, but really beyond that i don't think he knows what is about to hit.
I did hear to buy a baby doll so he can play with the doll and do stuff like change diapers and hold it gently like we will be doing with the baby....so we will see. My mom just ordered one on amazon for him. I hope to give it to him on Christmas, assuming we don't go early!! I can give you the information on it if you are interested.

DOUBLE STROLLER dilema!!! EVERYONE i talked to HATED their double stroller except the ones with BOBs...We have a Peg infant seat that only fits into a Peg stroller. So we actually bought 2 double strollers. I got the Peg Aria 60/40 for the infant seat to snap into. People with twins did NOT like it, but people without twins did like it. Everyone with a front/back double HATED THEM...too big, heavy, bulky, etc. I haven't even opened the box yet for the Peg, so can't really say much about it, but i am glad i have it because it is so light...
THE BOB: I was Against it because i did not want to be a BOB person...there are plenty of other ones out there cheaper. HOWEVER, it got such rave reviews and I jog a bit, so i needed a jogging double stroller anyway. IT IS REALLY NICE!!! If I had gotten that before the Peg, I would have not bought the Peg at all. (which is another reason why i haven't opened it, i may re-sell it). It is very easy to maneuver and is not terribly bulky and my oldest seems to like it. It is NOT CHEAP!!! HOwever, we got it at REI with a 20% discount and they offer a 100% lifetime warranty with it. I have a friend with twins that hers started tearing a bit by the feet 2 years after she bought it and they replaced the whole stroller free of charge. That was worth it to me to pay the money. There is also a bar you can purchase (i haven't yet, and may not if I keep the other) for 100.00 that you can snap an infant seat into it and the other side is a toddler tray...every one i talked to said it was a must have.

NOW...all that said, I still have no idea!! If you want to send me an email in a month after I have had the kid for a while, I will be happy to pass on any information/opinions from that!

We did keep our oldest in another "convertible crib" and not a toddler bed...I just wanted containment for sanity's sake for a while. He probably would be fine in a toddler bed, but when I was planning on where he would be in 6 months, i had NO IDEA!! I am happy with that decision.

I bought another monitor with only one receiver, figured that oldest wouldn't need more than one and really probably doesn't even need that...only because we have a 2 story and i wanted to attempt to keep an ear on everything!

Seriously my biggest thought is that I will just sling the baby quite a bit and stick with a single stroller for a while too...so, like i said, i can get back with you as to what i actually end up doing!!!
Good luck, I have SEVERAL friends in the same boat and we are all kinda freaking out together....so you aren't alone!

Hi J.,
I have two boys, ages 19 months and almost 3 months (they were 16 months apart). I wouldn't know what to do without my double stroller! I have a BOB Revolution Duallie. It is pricey, like a previous poster said, but so worth it. Several people in my mom's group bought cheaper strollers then returned them within a day and went to get the BOB! I do have the car seat adapter and it works like a dream. I get compliments on my stroller and mom's asking me where it came from everywhere I go. It is narrow enough that it fits through probably 95% of doorways so it is my only double stroller. I use it for exercise and for everyday use. I also have a Maclaren single stroller that I use on occasion when I am carrying the baby in a sling. As far as baby carriers goes, I think that my Moby wrap is a must have. I wouldn't have made it through the first month without it. I don't need it nearly as much now, but when I first brought the baby home, it helped me juggle between baby care and chasing my toddler! It also is the miracle cure to crying. When the baby would get fussy in the evenings (like so many do) I just had to put him into the wrap and he would be asleep within minutes. I also have a Hotsling, which I keep in the diaper bag for quick trips into stores and such, but it isn't nearly as comfortable for me or for the baby. The only other item that I use a lot is the swing. When I simply can't hold the baby (like when I am putting my older son down for his nap) the swing keeps him content until I can come back.
Well, I can't think of anything else for the moment, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask! Just know that it will all work out and they will end up being best friends. My older son adores his baby brother and tries to help me take care of him everyday.
Good luck, it is so much fun,
A.

I would suggest the graco. we bought one for long trips to the zoo, etc. however, it is a pain to get into small places. we mostly use two strollers if it is me and my husband. my 5 month old is in the snap and go; and my 24 month-old is in the umbrella stroller. I don't we have multiple systems depending on what we are doing. I have a daughter so it was easy to prepare her b/c she loves playing with dolls even at 18 months when her sister was born.

I have two boys 2 years apart - We thought the double stroller was a must, however the oldest one just wouldn't sit in a stroller so it was useless to us. If your oldest boy likes the stroller, then yes its a must. I don't know about preparation since ever situation is different. Good luck!

J.,

Congratulations on your 2nd baby boy. I have an 18 month old and a newborn, almost 4 weeks. I have to say that it is difficult, at times, but not impossible.
We bought a dresser before the baby was born and are on our way to get a double stroller tonight. I thought that I could do without it but I was so wrong! We have a Graco carseat from the older baby that is being reused with the infant so we are getting a double stroller that matches the carseat we have.
If you are going to reuse the baby clothes, take into consideration the time of year that the babies are born in. My older son was born in August and this one in November. I thought that I had enough clothes for the infant, until I realized that most of the stuff I had was summer clothing.
Good luck with the pregnancy!