Baby #2 Will Be Here in 9 weeks...your Best Tips?

My children were 17 month apart.
When I came home I begged my husband to quit his job , to not ever leave me alone,:)
I was terrified to take care of two.I just got the routine down on one.
But all I can say is,it's going to be hard for a while, but you will come down with a new routine eventually, and look back, that it wasn't as bad as you thought.
Your first child will, soon be entertaining the new baby and they will have a good time.
I did my chores at night, I loved the quiet.
My second baby slept through the night at age 4 weeks.
I was so lucky, my first one was a terrorist baby.He never ever slept.
Surrender to some change, it will get nice and "normal" again.That is all I can say.
Good luck with everything.

My youngest 2 are just shy of 24 months apart and the first few weeks home were the roughest trying to adjust to a new routine with a second child. If you are able, try to hire someone for a couple of hours every other day just to help out with playing with your older child. I had a friend's daughter come over for a couple hours to do a craft or go to the park or just outside to play, 3 days a week for the first couple of weeks. It helped my older son to be distracted for a few hours and then eventually as the baby started sleeping a little better for longer periods, I was able to take over and do the "special" time myself. The laundry can wait. The cleaning can wait. Meals can be quick and easy for the first few weeks. Don't try to do too much. Use the support that is offered. Good luck and enjoy your new bundle of joy.

Mine are 17 months apart and I had a C-section. Take people up on their offers to help. My son picked out a doll at a garage sale shortly after his sister came home and would mimic me taking care of the baby with his doll. So getting him a doll might help him feel a part of the whole process. The other thing I did before my daughter came along was get new or new to him toys, books, puzzles, and videos for my son and hid them until I needed them. When he seemed overly bored or I was overwhelmed I would pull out something new. You will find your own routine and then someone will grow out of it and you will find your own routine again. I still have to keep asking myself what is important and focus on that (not on being on time every where or having a spotless house). Good luck!

a small gift for the first born to have waiting at the hospital- a stuffed animal, baby doll, something they can attach to when times are crazy with all the new transitions! My daughter LOVED the small huskie she got in the hospital when her brother was born. She had something for her to focus on as everyone got to know the baby etc.

You've gotten some great advice already. I agree with a previous poster about keeping your older son's routine intact. I did that with my son and it was a lifesaver.
Also, since baby #2 will be arriving in the middle of winter, stock on on new toys/activities that your son can play with inside. Chances are you are not going to spending a lot of time in the snow with a newborn! Playdoh and HotWheels were a big hit. I didn't give them to my older son until after the baby was born.
Also, bought my son a book and a toy and when he came to the hospital to visit me I gave them to him but I told him that it was a gift from his baby brother. He liked that and it gave him something to play with in the hospital.

Congrats on #2 and enjoy it. My boys are now 5 and 20 months. They have an awesome relationship. I love to watch them interact and play together.

M R,

As you know, our boys are 26 months apart. When Ryan (#2) came home, I tried as hard as I could not to mess up Jacob's routine. That meant I kept him enrolled in daycare. I talked to the director about possibly doing a part-time schedule and left that as an option. As it turned out, it worked great for us. Yes, I still had to pay the full tuition for Jacob, but I was able to bring Jacob to school everyday (just like life always was for him) and then I would surprise him and come get him early with his new brother.

Also, Rich (hubby) and I took turns doing everything. We let Jacob choose which one of us would give him a bath, help brush his teeth, etc. That way it gave Jacob a little sense of control in a crazy new-baby house.

We also would take turns doing some one on one with Jacob..."Only big boys can go the the store with Mom today. Ryan is a baby, so he needs to stay home." It made him feel special and even at 4 and 2, we still let Jacob do things since his is "bigger".

Many congrats to you. Having two so close in age is absolutely awesome. I love it.

:)

T.