Totally in Shock

Congrats on the bundle! Anyway mine are 14 months apart and I too was shocked. We wanted them close, but I was not thinking that close, but I believe things happen for a reason. It was hard, but I would not change it for the world. My daughter is now almost 21/2 yrs and my sone will be 15 months-all worth it after the shock wears off. I won't lie it is tough, but you just take it one day at a time. GOOD LUCK! L.

Congrats. I only have one child (2.5) so I can't write from the perspective of being a mother to children close in age. However, I can write as a sibling whose sister is close in age. My sister and I are 1 yr and 2 wks apart. It was great growing up. Yes, we did fight and there was plenty of sibling rivalry, but mostly we were thick as thieves and are best friends today.

All the best.

Congratulations, L.!

I've said it before and I'll say it again -- you will LOVE having kids close in age! My younger three are all very close -- in age and in spirit. They're such a cool little team. Now, that's not to say they don't have their bad days -- but at least one of them always pulls it together and the others don't like looking bad by comparison. Plus, when times are hard, when one has had a bad day or taken a fall, the whole pint-size team springs into action. You won't just have more babies, you'll have more helpers, more ticklers, more huggers, more apprentices, and surround-sound giggling!

I've written about this before, so I'll make a new list -- here are some of my favorite things about having little guys roughly a year apart:

*Built-in playgroup: all I ever needed were the ingredients for homemade play-dough and a paddle pool full of bubble bath -- having three close together meant everyone always had fun.

*Stormy nights -- because all three curl themselves round each other to fit between Mom and Dad in bed. I couldn't sleep a wink; they were the best nights ever.

* Opening a suitcase when we were getting ready to send Daddy on a business trip and finding all three kids wedged inside giggling their fool heads off.

*The first "share": Watching each one make that first, aching, heroic step -- giving up his own popsicle when the "baby's" fell apart. You'll never ever forget it. It's magic.

* Walking into their room in the morning and finding all three cuddled up in the one-year-old's crib -- "so she won't be lonely."

*The morning I found they'd all 'camped' in the closet.

*Discovering one baby is trying to change the other baby's diaper -- hilarious, adorable, heart-warming; requires Pine-Sol chaser.

*One toddler telling me 'shh!" and leading me by the pinky to see the younger toddler -- asleep on the training potty, bum up, head down, snoring.

*Baby comforting baby. When fingers no longer than your thumb wipe tears from your newborn's cheek, something chemical happens in your brain. You suddenly know exactly why you exist. No words ever made it as clear as that single gesture.

*Baby feeding baby. Got me misty every time. Requires good mop.

*Two mini-people whispering encouragement to the third mini-person as he tries to scale the fridge shelves without Mom hearing. (They thought they got away with it -- I waited a few weeks to show them the video!)

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But don't listen to me, my brain's been warped by motherhood. Here's what the mini-folk themselves have to say about it (I gave each kid one turn and I swear I didn't bribe them):

* Oldest munchkin: "I always have someone who will play with me; someone to hug and cuddle with and someone who cheers when I do tricks." (See fridge-climbing memory.)

* Middle munchkin: "This is my favorite part: when I don't have anyone to play with at school I find my brother or sister and I play with them. Sometimes when I've lost something I try to find them with their friends and tell them my problems and they'll be kind. And sometimes we used to all fit in the pantry shelves to surprise Mom and that was fun."

* Youngest munchkin: "That my sister and brother always make the game be easy for me. And they always go easy on me playing tag and freeze-tag. They take care of me and they hug me and they kiss me when I'm crying. And that's all."

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So. There ya have it. We're a little less sane for it, a lot more loud for it and 100% better for our close-knit little tribe. It will get harrowing at times -- and you WILL get by. Just keep looking at those priceless moments and EVERY DAY write them down. At least one moment worth keeping every day. On the day you can't find one, remind yourself you're just not looking with the right eyes. Go back to your written-down moments. You'll find your eyes in no time. (They'll be the ones leaking little drops of gratitude.) That's a promise.

Congratulations, L.! You're gonna have a BLAST!

:-)

Hi L.!!!! Congratulations!!!! it's the best!!! I have two sets that are 17 months apart... I have two girls and two boys....both sets were boy/girl. I did have it's crazy days but I have to say they are all so very close and never alone. I absolutely love it... people think that I have two sets of twins.... Now my children are 11,10 - 6,5. Sometimes the two girls play together and then the two boys.... or the boy girl sets play with one another... it's a party within itself!!!

Who needs play dates when you have them everyday.... God knows exactly what every family needs... I thought it was crazy at first but now I see the love and closeness between our family and it's truely a beautiful thing!!!! Especially when you see them all love on one another, it's all how you make it!!!!!! we all cuddle up and have family movie night... we have board game nights,,etc.... the options are limitless.... enjoy!!!!!!!!! Danni B. below eloquently puts it all down... I have to totally agree with every word she stated....... L.

Its so much fun!!! And yes I can still say that when my first is going to be 10 next month my second was 3 in Dec. my 3rd was 2 in Feb. (thats right 14 mos. apart) and my 4th is 7 mos. (just 18 mos. apart.). Between the last 3 kids there is 2 1/2 years. Did I mention I watch my sisters son of 2 years during the week too! Somedays I feel like the luckiest mom alive, sometimes I feel like I need to be on prozac. But honesty I felt that way with only 1 too. I do everything at the same time with them. They all share a room (except for the baby right now is still in mine) (I have a seperate room for the boy, but its just easier to have them in the "big room" right now. I bathe them all at the same time, I feed them all at the same time, you get down a routine, and it works. I was scared at first, but after the first week of my son comming home, I was in a routine and it felt good. I love the way my son and daughter play and talk to each other, I can't wait for the baby to be old enough to join along. Its fun and totally worth it. Except for "those" days!!! The good days far out way the bad ones if it makes you feel better! If you need any tips I would be happy to pass mine along.

Hi L., I have two sons that are 21 months apart and they are now 5 and almost 7. They are the BEST of friends and I'm thankful every day that they have each other to play with, watch the same movies with, share clothes with, read together, etc... I'm not sure how the dynamic would be if I had a boy and a girl, though, but I can tell you I am so glad they're close in age, because it makes everything easier when they're older. It was harder when they were younger, though, both in diapers, needed a double stroller, it's like having twins. But, that's a really short time and then they have the whole rest of their lives together in a similar age group and that is what matters the most. Enjoy!!!

First of all, Congratulations! I have 7 children. The first two are 17 months apart,
2 and 3rd are 16 months apart,
3rd and 4th are 22 months apart,
4th and 5th are 25 months apart,
5th and 6th are 3 years almost to the day,
then~ 6th and 7th are 21 months apart.

My first two are both boys and they are best of friends! I actually like it when they are closer in age. They are friends, and can entertain each other so well. A friend of mine had her first two 11 1/2 months a part! So, this year they will both be 12 for about 2 weeks! It really is a blessing no matter how close or apart they are. I think there is pro's either way.

K.

Congrats!! My sister has her girls 13 months apart. They are more like twins. They had there own langauge and it was all very cute. As they have gotten older they now have there own friends but remain very close to each other. I think being so close in age was a good thing for the girls. But it can be challenging just like twins would be.

I wish you luck and remember enjoy..... :-)

Hi L.. First off congrats on the new baby. My last two children are only just shy of 11 months apart. My daughter was born in Sept and then my son the following August. At first I was in shock and didnt know how I was going to do it, and of course you get alot of wierd looks from people and "How did you do it" like they dont know. But I would not change it if I had the chance. They are so close, they do everything together even now that they are 7 and 8. When I potty trained my daughter my son had to copy. He did that with everything from getting off the bottle, to swimming, going to bed. It made my life so much easier. So I hope you have the same blessing that I was able to experience. Again Congrats.