I am also excited to be expecting #2 soon, but scared shitless at the prospect of juggling more than one. I can’t figure out how I’m supposed to entertain a toddler AND see to the needs of a baby… a baby who is going to want/need me 24/7 for the foreseeable future.

Anyway, I don’t know if you want some suggestions on things to try? I know it probably comes across as ‘teaching grandmother to suck eggs’ but I figure I can waffle on a bit about things that have helped me and/or things that occured to me as I read on and you can take what you want from it? (Or just ignore me completely)

Separate rooms – can you not put them in together? Just wondering if this would distract them in the mornings long enough for you to actually wake up? Or would they wake each other up at night?

You mentioned toys a few times. In particular, how many toys you have. Have you tried getting rid (even if it’s just to a cupboard the boys can’t get to) all but 3-4 toys each? I am a bit of a twat when it comes to toys and regularly take a batch to the charity shop to keep the numbers down. I’m just wondering if it’s a case of there are SO many they’re overwhelmed by the choice. I know some people who have a box of toys and then cycle theirs on a monthly basis, keeping the rest in storage.

“Andrew gets jealous and when he knows that I’m busy feeding Robert” — can you not stick them both in chairs, give them e.g a banana each and let them get on with it? Robert is old enough to feed himself, and if he’s having a 9oz bottle before breakfast, I’d even go so far as to say that it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t eat much ’cause he’s had a good fill of milk first. Am thinking that might stop Andrew getting jealous, gives you a few minutes to gather yourself together for the day etc. If Robert gets annoyed that you’re not giving him 1 on 1 attention .. well, tough – you can’t split yourself in 2!

Of course, ultimately, my #1 advice is: get yourself some me-time. Anyone around nearby who can take them for a few hours a week just so you can be YOU? I know this is easier said than done, but there are definitely days I’m glad to get up and go to work (even if it tears my heart in two).

I dunno, like I say, tell me to bog off if necessary. Just thought I’d throw some ideas out there. You know where I am if you want to have a rant or w/e.

As for the amnio, your questions are exactly the ones I had. So what if something IS wrong with the baby? What are they going to do this late in the game? Why not just wait out the 4 weeks and see how the baby is when he arrives? I don’t get that reasoning. It just seems like that since they know I am going to fight the induction, they’re just trying to stack up more stupid reasons for induction to further pressure me into it.

I’ll be happy if I never deliver another baby where I live right now. I have seem zillions of doctors down here trying to find one who fits my needs and they all have the same stupid mindset. I even looked into a midwife, but the closest is miles and miles and miles away so even that route wasn’t going to work for me. I love living in such a backwards place. *sigh*

And… an amnio? At this stage? For what purpose? It seems like it’d be much easier to just wait for the baby to be born to check him out than to try to do an amnio now. I’ve never heard of one being done this late in the game. Wouldn’t an ultrasound give them the info they need? So weird.

I hate that you keep having these conversations with your doctors.

I don’t like Liam as a nickname. Not only do I not like it, but I don’t like nicknames in general.