This is the question I get asked THE MOST, whether it's family, friends, or even strangers...so here's the scoop! (Sometimes people make it sound like I have hassled myself...it's crazy. I wonder why it's even any of their concern)
I dreamed of having babies, long before I found my prince, so I truly think I was born to be a MOM...
Most of my friends have children with what they like to call a "manageable" age gap, but I don't feel like there's anything about my Irish Twins that isn't manageable (once I got it figured out that is). I can't sit here and tell you it was easy, because it wasn't. Just like anything new, it took time (and honestly, somedays, I still don't have it figured out) but I LOVE these little people that God so graciously gifted me with, so loving and caring for them with all of my soul is all I ever want to do..
The toughest part was in the beginning when they both weren't walking and both couldn't really tell me what they wanted. Sometimes they'd cry and cry and I'd cry trying to figure out what each of them wanted.
Being a Mom in the car business, I spend a lot of time out of the house. For those of you who follow my InstaStories you see me in my feelings ALL THE TIME.
So my days off are MOST important to me. As much as I enjoy a little mommy alone time, I rarely take time away because every little second is so precious to me. With that being said, having 2 babies wanting to do 2 different things is not a cake walk...AT ALL!!!
Other than our usual trips to the grocery store, the mall (which Natalie LOVES) and walks around the neighborhood, here are some toddler engaging activities I like to do with the babies to keep myself and them from going crazy.
The key...Is creating a schedule; food and naps are at the same time daily, but the activities change!
Cook with them
The hardest part of my day is usually meal-prep. Even though I enjoy cooking...It's hard to cook with a toddler, or 2, hanging on to you. I tried everything from holding a baby on one hip, while the other one's in a Bumbo on the floor, to repeated episodes of Caillou until they watched every single episode that was recorded on the DVR.
Then one day it dawned on me...what if they just cook with me?
I sat them both in their high-chairs and give them something to "cook" with.
For Natalie, it's usually raw pasta and different kinds of beans and for Noah (since everything has to pass a taste test) it's Lucky Charms and Rice Crispies!
We use the food to play counting games or fill and un-fill their bowls with it. Whatever it is, it keeps them both engaged together, doing the same thing!!!
Plan a Craft
Yeah Yeah I know it sounds like school, but trust me! The goal is to get them both engaged in the same thing. So whether it's glueing beans on a piece of paper to make happy faces, or carving pumpkins out of paper plates. I try and plan something different for them to engage in together as a team.
Education.com has some great craft Ideas. I also use this site to print out worksheets and coloring pages for them. Another place I like to go is Michael’s. There’s always kids craft stuff on sale and it gives them something different to do, rather than just color with crayons!
Music
Let's be real, the wheels on the bus can go round and round until our brains go round and round and then we're DONE! So, I've started playing them real music. We usually listen to Christian Music or the kids version of a new song, dance, learn the words to it. The key is, it's different, and it's something they BOTH can engage in.
Outdoors
This is an easy one so I'll leave this to a minimum.
In addition to the usual parks, libaries and walks,
my favorite thing to do outside is a Backyard Picnic.
Serve lunch outside! It throws them for a total loop and my babies love that!
In the winter, I’ll set up a fort in the living room, and we’ll eat lunch In there.
What helped me the most is realizing that these are the best moments of your life.
I used to put the biggest strain on myself to try and keep everything together (house wise) Until my husband gave me the best advice ever...
He told me, " When you're with them, focus on just them"
So, let go of the dishes, the laundry and the bathrooms, they'll be waiting for you when the babies are asleep...
And that's all I really do to handle my sweet little 2 under 2!!!
Hope this helps some of you new mamas out there. Remember, routine is key! Create a schedule that works for you.
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