For those with children close in age.... Ever have those days?

Question

You know what I mean, where the house is a mess, you feel EXHAUSTED and had a bad night where baby wanted to be up every 90 minutes, then both (or more!) got up at the same time, yet you still have to get yourself up and around?

I feel so cruddy today. and yes, this is a "poor me" post. ever since I bumped my shoulder I've had a case of what I can only think is burstitis where it hurts ALOT. My house is a mess and Mason was up screaming every 90 minutes practically last night. DH had to go to work at 5:30am so it was me and them. I knew having 2 so close would be tough and I also know this is just a phase we're going through until Mason gets out of this infant stage. 

It's just a day where I'm needing some encouragement and I'm sure most of you have been there at some point.

LosingMyMindInGA · Answer

Boy, do I feel ya'lls pain :).  With all the kids we have we have a pretty big house.  So when I start cleaning it takes awhile.  I start on one end and work my way to the other, by the time I finish they (DH included) have already started destroying the other end.  I'm so sick and tired of fighting my 5 and 6 yo to clean their rooms.  I'm to the point where one of these days they are gonna come home from school and find everything in their room missing except the bed and dresser!!!!!  With those two it's like NOTHING phases them....spankings, taking things, time outs...they could care less about any of it. Drives me nuts!

martikadragoon · Answer

Joy- yea I feel for you. I know this is a transient thing it's just a bit overwhelming right now

JoyRenee · Answer

I've got three and I totally understand! Christmas break was ROUGH because my oldest was home and the older girls just fought like cats and dogs while I was stuck breastfeeding the baby. I'm so glad school is back in session. I know summer break will be easier because baby will be older and not as clingy and needy- she'll be ready to explore!

Every time I get the house clean it gets hit something awful and my husband isn't exactly helping.

martikadragoon · Answer

Lol well in about a month tj will be eligible for specialized daycare and it's free for us because of him having t21 so I plan to take advantage of it a few days a week I think. We had just cleaned our carpets in dec and 3 days later my brother and his wife got an untrained puppy. It completely restained our floors and got the other two dogs we have wetting the floors too. So we have that to deal with also. How do we women get ourselves into such busy situations lol

LosingMyMindInGA · Answer

OH and let me throw in that we have several unfinished "home improvement" projects that we are trying to finish.  DH works 50 + hours a week out in the weather so when he gets home he is understandably exhausted, he does try to help with what he can though.  He's just never been one of those take charge kind of dad's.  So when 3 of the kids are in school and I only have Gabe I'm trying to clean house, do laundry, take care of him, handle other business like doc appts and bills, finish putting up and mudding the sheetrock in the kitchen and dining room, trying to do small repairs around the house....It seems like since I quit my job to stay home, my workload has tripled.  How the heck did that happen?  Oh and this whole being pregnant again thing is really kicking my butt.  I haven't done JACK lately becuase everytime I move I want to hurl.  So, yes, I have those days :D

LosingMyMindInGA · Answer

I have FOUR kids and EVERY day is like that for me.  I went through having 2 of my kids being only 14 months apart....now I'm about to go through having 2 only 2 yrs apart.  I can definately relate to how you feel.  Most days I have to ask myself "ok, do we have clean CLOTHES or clean FLOORS?"  Then there are days when I look at my house and think OMG WHAT A MESS then i have to tell myself....my kids are fed, clean and healthy, the house can wait.   It's like some days there is so MUCH to do I have NO idea where to begin so I just walk around the house dumbfounded LOL

martikadragoon · Answer

Oh and were on our 4th formula trying to find one that doesn't give him tons of has and pain. Gas drops only go so far poor lil guy

martikadragoon · Answer

TabithA, excuse my horrible typing our computer decided to die and I'm typing from dh's itouch. I'm sorry your dh doesn't help. I'd probably threaten to maim mine if he were like that. Dh helps alot when he isn't at work. Im very lucky with that. My dh takes at least one boy within minutes of getting home from worK I actually have to ask him to take a rest sometimes. We share a house with my mom sister 2brothers and a SIL so I do have some help but my mom is good at using guilt trips so i have been trying to ask for aslittlE help as possible. It was just one of those days where I felt stretched a bit too thin.

blueeyedtabbycat · Answer

Im sorry Cindie but it does get better. I have 4 children and the last two are 11 months apart I do know how you feel. I have a DH but he works all the time and when he is home he never helps. So I call myself a single parent. DH has still not changed a diaper on our now 5 month old Taylor. I know you have it hard thtwo young children and having so much extra work taking care of TJ. Do you have family that can just come over to hang out during the day??? I find that helps me alot. They dont even have to help but being the to talk is a great pick me up:~) 
Just remember that they are only little for a short time:(
hugs
Tabitha

martikadragoon · Answer

Tiredbuthappy~ so I only have 3 more months? jk. I'm sure it's gonna get better. DH got home and took right over and let me nap for 2 hrs. (YAY!!!)

Rosa20~ don't be scared. I've got an Untypical situation with a 17 mo old who has down syndrome and then there's Mason the new one. so for me it's like I have twins where I have to figure out which child to hold and when among other things. except the older child is very aware which I think makes it harder.  my 17 month old also has a feeding tube so we're doing oral feeding training to get him eating again (he spent 3mo in the hospital after open heart surgery and was on life support 1/2 that time.) we also have to do physical and occupational therapies with him since he doesn't crawl or walk or even sit completely on his own. But..... he's going ahead at a break neck speed and is learning new things every day. 

so I'm sure although it'll be tough at first you'll do fine.

Rosa20 · Answer

wow i think its safe to say im scared shi*less now! haha my baby will only be 18 months old when this baby is born!! lol

tiredbuthappy · Answer

yup! Been there! and the infant had colic and reflux, so not only was it all that, it was with 7 hours of unconsolable screaming at night. Not crying or fussing, but shrieking in pain. Absolutely destroyed me mentally, physically, and emotionally.

I survived!!! And you can too! And it is SOOO much better now. Honestly. I LOVE watching them play together already, and the baby is only 5 months old. It's so sweet and wonderful and rewarding. I'm still not getting sleep, but honestly, i think i am getting used to it. it started getting better at 3 months. By 4 months old we were happy and comfortable in our routine. Now, at 5 months, I love every minute with them. I can do it, AND I'm working full time. AND pumping exclusively, which is extremely time consuming and takes away from my sleep time significantly. And even with all of that, I can say it's gotten to be SO much easier. So hang in there. I know you have a lot on your plate with a special needs baby, your medical issues, and the newborn. But it will soon be better.

Limonada · Answer

I don't have any personal experience to offer, but I just wanted to send you a ((hug)) - I really do hope that you have a MUCH better day tomorrow!!!! :-)