[Resi]

How old was your first born when the second baby arrived (and so on)?

How did he/she adjust?

How did you adjust?

Your husband?

Do you like the age gap? Any pluses or minuses?

[SandKmommy]

How old was your first born when the second baby arrived (and so on)? 2yrs 9mo(almost 2y 10mo) we got pregnant either the weekend of his 2nd birthday or the weekend after

How did he/she adjust? He did pretty well, he actually potty trained himself right after she was born he wanted to do it. Kieran was the reason we decided to let him tell us when to potty train because I was scared of regression but it went the oppisite.

How did you adjust? pretty good but with the c-section, and nana dying(1.5mo later) and my mom living with us it was stressful but dealing with Seamus was pretty ok

Your husband? ok, i'd have to ask him I don't remember it being hard on him

Do you like the age gap? Any pluses or minuses? I like it cause Seamus was old enough (almsot 3) to help alot and he wasn't a "baby" anymore so I wasn't always having to take care of 2 babies, hes a big helper and I think its better to have a 2.5-3yr age gap so they can help more. If we have another we/I have been thinking of starting to try in the winter of 2011-2012 that would put Kieran at around the same age Seamus was and Seamus would be in school at that point

[**jessie**]

I'm wondering the same things.

[Frozendesire]

How old was your first born when the second baby arrived (and so on)? Curtis was just a few days shy of turning 2.

How did he/she adjust? He adjusted very well! They have an incredibly strong bond and it really formed right from the start.

How did you adjust? Alright. It was alot easier then I expected. Things didn't get "tough" until he started crawling around and getting into EVERYTHING haha. Now he's crawling and it's tricky to do some things.

Your husband? He adjusted fine haha, not much of an impact on him really.

Do you like the age gap? Any pluses or minuses? I love the age gap, for the most part. The only thing is potty training Curtis while Dustin is so mobile. It's really tough to sit in the bathroom for long periods of times with a toddler and a preschooler haha. But now that we are almost over that hurdle it's getting better. I like them closer together though as they connect on so many levels, and really help each other out. Curtis is always looking out for him and it helps ALOT.

[**Jenn**]

How old was your first born when the second baby arrived (and so on)? Liam was 19 months when Lochy was born. They'll be 4 years 3 months and 2 years 7 months when Lila finally comes.

How did he/she adjust? Liam couldn't have cared less when Lochy was born. After a week or two jealousy started coming out but it didn't last long. After a few weeks I don't think Liam even remembered there was a time before Lochy. Once he was old enough to actually interact with (a few months) Liam had a great time with him! It's yet to be determined how they'll react to Lila. I think Lochy may have an issue only because he's very attached to me.

How did you adjust? The first month or so was crazy and I was a bit overwhelmed but once things settled down it was fine.

Your husband? He did fine. He is generally very hands on so we just kind of tag teamed the boys--I pretty much took care of Lochy while he took charge of Liam. We'll probably do the same kind of thing this time where I'll mostly care for the baby and he'll take charge of the boys.

Do you like the age gap? Any pluses or minuses? I love the age gap between the boys. I would have loved for Lila to be closer in age to them but that was out of our hands. I'd say the only drawback to the boys age gap was having two in diapers. It'll be great now because both boys have been potty goers for quite a while (Liam since he turned 2 1/2 and Lochy since he was 2 years 2 months) and that'll ease things a little more.

[SandKmommy]

I think I'm the only one on this board that purposely has larger age gaps, so I'm the odd one out(like most things). My family wanted us to have a 5yr+ age gap though >.<

[IamMom]

How old was your first born when the second baby arrived (and so on)? Harrison was 2 months over 3 when Nora arrived!

How did he/she adjust? There was almost no adjustment - it was literally like Nora had always been there - he has been an awesome big brother ever since....he says "I love my baby sister" like a zillion times a day. He's very helpful and has never shown any jealousy etc.

How did you adjust? fine - Harrison never gave me any problems - it was life as usual with him.....and Nora is a good baby so its been nothing but fun (except for kids being sick but that's life whether you have one or ten far apart or close together)

Your husband? He's hot...he he he just kidding...same thing...the kids are so easy it didn't really phase us!

Do you like the age gap? Any pluses or minuses? Love this age gap...Harrison was old enough to know what was going on and not be jealous of my attention because he was a "big boy" already - potty trained...sleeping well in his big boy bed...and all that. No buying two sizes of diapers or having two cribs...or any of that. He's very helpful when its just me and the kids -getting me things for Nora and I can leave him alone by himself it I have to tend to Nora and I know that he's old enough to behave himself and be okay. They are close enough though that they do play together - he shows her things and they still watch the same tv shows and what not. Plus he's still young and little enough to go in the jogging stroller with her and not feel like a baby....it's really all around perfect.

[Frozendesire]

I think most moms will say they love the age gap between their kids. You adjust well and most kids do too You only know the age gap between your kids and you think/feel that it's perfect. If that makes sense!

Resi you would be a WONDERFUL momma to two.

[Resi]

Originally Posted by SandKmommy

I think I'm the only one on this board that purposely has larger age gaps, so I'm the odd one out(like most things). My family wanted us to have a 5yr+ age gap though >.<

Justine, I was actually interested in hearing from you because the age gap that you have is what I would like. Anything 2.5 to 3.5 years is what I'm thinking. I'm just torn between which one to go for.

[Resi]

Kerri, haha.. you do have a good looking husband! I was thinking about how you liked the 3 years age gap. I remember you saying how well Harrison did and that he was helpful.

Steph - Thanks but I worry if I could handle two! I get frusterated as it is.

Popping in from WTTC because I'm always so curious to know how others have dealt with the age gap. Hope you don't mind me sharing my experience

How old was your first born when the second baby arrived (and so on)?
Cohen was 20 months
How did he/she adjust?
Better than me or DH He loves this baby so much and is so protective of him. Here is a pic of him the day we brought Abram home. He is crying because I am taking the baby out of his lap so I could feed him.
Before:

After:


How did you adjust?
I had a hard time adjusting to the new dynamics the first month, but Abe has been a very difficult baby w/ allergies & reflux and I never dealt w/ those things w/ Cohen.
Your husband?
He's been great and always has been. He works and isn't around the baby all day like I am so the constant fussiness didn't wear him down like it did w/ me.
Do you like the age gap? Any pluses or minuses?
LOVE it. Cohen was able to help get diapers and clothes, stuff like that since day 1. Now Cohen is in full blown terrible twos and I dread thinking what life would be like w/ a newborn at this time . We hope to have another w/ the same age gap.

more recent pic :

[Resi]

Hayley, Your boys are sooo cute! And Cohen is beaming.

[IamMom]

I'll be honest here - I wanted my kids at least 2 1/2 years apart....if I had somehow gotten pregnant earlier than my set time frame I would have been really bummed ....I did not stop taking the pill until Harrison was 2.....I felt like even if I got pregnant right away (and I pretty much knew that wouldn't happen) that would give me time to potty train him and I def wanted that done before another baby came along. Based on when I went off the pill the earliest I could have had another baby was when he would have been just 3 months shy of 3 and that was okay with me..........but I got a bonus having him totally night time potty trained and everything by the time she came.

I really wanted time to be with him and not have to tell him to "be quiet", "move over", go somewhere else...etc etc because of a baby.
I really wanted my one on one time with him, to do all kinds of things with him and not be hindered by another little one. My mom had my sister right after I turned one and maybe deep down I resent that I never got to know that special time with just me and my parents...basically all my life she's been there and I love her don't get me wrong but I dunno....my mom was pregnant again when I was just 3 months old...I was their one and only for barely three months....I guess I have issues with this whole topic!

Oh and I just saw Hayley's adorable boys! I love sib pics! Thanks for sharing !

[Resi]

Keri, That is the reason I want to wait a little longer. I want more time with just Oliver.

Thanks ladies

Keri I have similar feelings only opposite I was the only child until I was 4, almost 5 and starting Kindergarten. I did not have an easy transition into becoming a big sister and my sister and I were never close until I had Cohen. Even now we're not super close but we get along for the most part. We've never been into the same things at the same time and for that reason it's been hard to relate to one another. I totally see what you're saying though. I really wouldn't want my kids closer than 18 months apart.

[Bre*n*Will=Reid]

I'm scared because now we are thinking that we will wait to TTC our 2nd until Reid is closer to 4 I'm 5 years older than my step-sister and growing up we weren't on the same level...she was always an "annoying little kid" because she was so much younger than me. We are friends now, but I really want my kids to be able to be friends while they are growing up.

This crap is stressful! lol.

Hayley, that photo of Cohen crying melted my heart!! What a sweetie pie and lovely older brother

[SandKmommy]

Originally Posted by Bre*n*Will=Reid

I'm scared because now we are thinking that we will wait to TTC our 2nd until Reid is closer to 4 I'm 5 years older than my step-sister and growing up we weren't on the same level...she was always an "annoying little kid" because she was so much younger than me. We are friends now, but I really want my kids to be able to be friends while they are growing up.

me and my youngest brother were the oppisite, closer growing up but now he drives me nuts. But maybe thats cause we have a middle brother too. Our age gap goes 3yrs 3mo (Me then middle bro) and 7yrs 1mo(me and youngest bro, hes almost 4yrs younger then middle bro). Me and my middle bro weren't that close but we are now that he has a kid

[Frozendesire]

Both me and James have older sisters and we weren't close to them... I'm getting close to mine but there is still ALOT of distance and hurt between us. We swore up and down we would never had a large age gap between kids, and we would have more then two!

I think if it's important for you (anyone) to have one on one time with your kids, young and old, you'll make that happen. I'm so going to dump the two kids on James and take one for a special time with just mommy. It makes those times even more special, ya know? It's totally doable.

It's crazy in the early years but I know that it will pay off (and it of course has already in certain ways). Another thing is being here with them now as a SAHM. I have that ability to know and I can give that too all my babies and send them to school and then get a job if need be, or if I want. But who's to say that can happen in five years when I'm starting from "new" again.

Not to sure if I'm making any sense but those are our thoughts as to why having children close in age works for us. Just something more for people to think about. It's such a personal decision for sure!

[**jessie**]

I have no personal experience, obviously, but here are my observations, lol. To me it seems like 'closeness' between siblings in more a function of personality rather than age. I have seen it work both ways. My bro is 5 yrs younger and we are very close, played together as kids, never ever fought, and now are friends as adults. Even though I do want kids close together, I do not think it is any guarantee that they will be friends.

And I agree with Steph, you can always find special time with your kids no matter how you have. It is really special to spend time alone with your first, but then I guess by that reasoning any subsequent children will never get that extended alone period with you, like the first one did.

[LisanAndy]

How old was your first born when the second baby arrived (and so on)? 1 year 5 months

How did he/she adjust? It was a little rough the first month or 2 but it wasn't horrible.

How did you adjust? It was VERY easy because I'd done it all once before and knew what to expect.

Your husband? Easily

Do you like the age gap? Any pluses or minuses? Yes, I love the age gap. Baby #3 is going to be 19.5 months from Rylie. Taylor and Rylie are inseparable, they're best friends and they're into all the same things. This may sound like a selfish reason but I'm ready to start sleeping through the night again and get passed all the nap, eating schedules and the closer together you have them, you get passed those stages quicker. I love babies but I prefer them to be around 6 months and up LoL. I really don't think there's a downside. They aren't an inconvenience to me, their my daughters and I love them. Some days are tougher than others but I think that's true with any age spacing. Taylor is very intelligent but SUPER demanding and emotional and Rylie is the complete opposite. She's my breath of fresh air some days. I dunno what I'd do without them