One of the best Mother's Days! Thanks fam ❤️ S One of the best Mother's Days! Thanks fam ❤️ So blessed to call this family mine!
Just beachy 🌴 Just beachy 🌴
Some photos of life recently. As much as Josh and Some photos of life recently. As much as Josh and I have been pretty go-with-the-flow with Cleo, we've found that she's been getting overly tired at night and almost inconsolable. So the last few nights we've been intentionally putting her to bed around the same time as Davey and Evy and she's actually been loving it? Go figure (also, not complaining! 😆).

Also.. today I walked out of the house to grab something from the car and this 10~ year old girl was walking by with her mom and she goes, "Mom she looks like Barbie!!"

Well that's the best compliment I've had in a while and I'm gonna hold onto it 💖
I've always seen myself as a "go with the flow" ty I've always seen myself as a "go with the flow" type person, and for the most part that's true. But what I've realized recently is that I'm good at going with the flow when I can see a good outcome down the road. But if I smell trouble, "go with the flow" Chelsea is gone with the wind 🌬️

This week we were working on memorizing some Bible verses with the kids. Evy randomly chose Psalm 119:105, "Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way, it is like a light that guides me."

It made me think about how all through scripture, God is just BEGGING us to trust that he has it all figured out. And time and time again, he comes through and does exactly what he says he's going to do. 

But for whatever reason, whenever anything unexpected happens, we immediately think that we need to jump in and control the situation. Some of us are really good at it, too. So it can be really difficult to leave the unknown in God's hands and trust that, yet again, he will provide. 

In this season of unknown for us, I'm praying daily for God to do His will with our family, that he would use us for good, and that we would trust the outcome. It's a scary thing to pray. But ultimately, that's exactly how we hope our short lives will be used—following the path he leads us.
Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no be Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no better feeling than getting to know the wonderful person she is growing into. We're so proud of this girl!! 6 is going to be a great year 💕
I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every hour last night 🙃🙃 

Outfit @honest 🦋
Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, it's so funny how some parts of the newborn phase have been like muscle memory and others have been like we've had our first born all over again. 

We were worried about how David and Evy would feel with this new family member but they have been so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes to put it into words. I was especially worried about Ev being supplanted as the youngest but, honestly, being the big sister suits her SO well and I think she's been loving it, too. 

I've also loved getting to experience this again with Josh. The way you band together during the newborn phase especially is very bonding. You rely on each other deeply and it's not always cute or pretty. 

Super grateful 💗
To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going to think she has the coolest, smartest, bravest big siblings in the world, and she's not wrong 😉
She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early on Saturday March 11 at 1:52 in the morning. 

Josh and I just had a feeling about that day (Friday), so we kept the kids out of school, went out to breakfast, and just spent our last day together as a family of four. 

My contractions started right after my 38 week appointment that morning and progressed throughout the day until around 4pm when I thought, "Mmk, I'm starting to really need to breathe through these. Better go in."

I was so convinced they were going to turn us away that it really didn't hit me that we were actually going to meet our girl that night until we'd been there for a few hours already. 

Baby girl ended up being 7lbs 15oz and 20in long!

We are all so in love. David and Evy are OBSESSED. A few times their friends have come to the door to ask them to play and they've said they'd rather stay home with the baby 😄

We are so blessed and thankful for this little girl ❤️
  • Family
  • Marriage
  • fitness
  • travel
  • Life & Finances
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Family
    • Marriage
    • fitness
    • travel
    • Life & Finances
    • Devotional
  • About
    • Contact
  • Devotional

Living the Sweet Wife

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Family
    • Marriage
    • fitness
    • travel
    • Life & Finances
    • Devotional
  • About
    • Contact
  • Devotional

Baby, Family, Kids, Toddler · December 5, 2017

How having your second child is different from having your first

YAY YOU’RE HAVING A BABY! The second one, that is. Or maybe you’ve already had him or her. Either way, you have to know that having a baby the second time around is not like the first. There are a few things you’ll know to expect, like the classic sleepless nights or diaper blowouts, but there’s a few things that may blindside you. Keep reading, you may just learn a thing or two.

YAY YOU’RE HAVING A BABY! The second one, that is. Or maybe you’ve already had him or her. Either way, you have to know that having a baby the second time around is not like the first. There are a few things you’ll know to expect, like the classic sleepless nights or diaper blowouts, but there are a few things that may blindside you. Keep reading, you may just learn a thing or two. That, or have your worst fears confirmed.

You’re mentally prepared for the sleepless nights. Bring it.

Congratulations, you’re already a pro at being sleep deprived and finding ways to functions the next day that this should be a piece of cake. Really though, for whatever reason, this wasn’t nearly as hard as when our first child was born and he started sleeping through the night at 6 months. Evy is currently 8 months and still wakes up at least twice and it’s no big deal. Sure, I wake up and my first thought is, “Coffffeeeeeeee” but that’s really no different than when I was in college or working so..

Your expectations are buried six feet under.

Not only are your expectations are low, they’re dead. You haven’t given up, of course not. Someone’s gotta keep those kids alive. You’re just a bit more flexxxible these days with how many items of processed foods your child consumes throughout the course of a day. You’ve gone from a, “Heck no” to more of a, “Ok, but this is the for real last one.”

Basically, all having low expectations means as a parent is that you get way less frustrated when you don’t get your way. Because that doesn’t happen anymore anyway.

You already have all the stuff. Maybe.

My piece of advice here: Let people know if there’s something you actually need. People figured that we had everything we needed for a new baby which was mostly true, but there were definitely a few things we could have used but no one asks for a registry the second time around. I wanted as long as I could after I knew all the showers had been thrown and then bought ourselves a mamaroo because we actually didn’t have a baby swing. We had borrowed one from a friend the first time around and had since given it back. So be sure to double check that you actually do have anything you need instead of realizing you overlooked something when you’re 38 weeks pregnant.

Also, if friends ask what you want and you’re not sure what to tell them, ask for diapers and gift cards. Always gift cards.

You know what you would/wouldn’t do the second time around.

Packing for the hospital stay alone was so much different for our second baby. I knew how my clothes would fit me, so I better knew what to pack. I invested in a better nursing bra (this comfortable nursing bra was great for the hospital and around the house while this underwire nursing bra was great for going out and feeling more like myself). I also invested in a pumping bra. I think I was crazy for never doing this for David because I actually worked full time after he was born and pumped like crazy. I learned my lesson and got a pumping bra the second time around and even though I didn’t pump nearly as much, I still freaking loved that thing.

You may find yourself way less nervous to go into a grocery store with the kids. Or if you are, you’ll just order what you need from Amazon or a grocery delivery service without even attempting to go into the store. Where we lived back in VA, our Kroger had what they called “ClickList’ where I could make my entire shopping list online and then pick a time the next day to pick it up, or even the same day if I put my order in early enough. When it was time to pick it up, I would park in the designated parking area and the store staff would bring me my groceries and load them into my trunk for me. And this only cost a flat rate of $5 no matter how much my order was. Heck, I’ll pay $10 to not have to get out of the car with a toddler and newborn and grocery shop.

You’ll get smart about leaving the house, because it won’t be easy.

I thought leaving the house with one kid was no joke, but two? Forget about it.

Not really. You still have to leave sometime.

In the beginning, we were cosleeping with Ev (our second). I remember getting up at 8 to start getting ready for the day. By the time I got myself and two kids ready, it was 10. And it’s not because I’m high maintenance.

Here’s how the morning would look:

  • I get up. Both kids still sleeping.
  • Brush my hair, teeth, face. UhhImean, wash.. Wash my face.
  • Put a k-cup in the Keurig.
  • Put yogurt cup and spoon on the table for 1st born.
  • Wake up 1st born.
  • Change and dress him while he’s still half asleep in bed, then tell him to eat his yogurt.
  • He follows me back into my room where 2nd born is waking up.
  • Feed her (because every interaction with her at this age begins with feeding).
  • Change her diaper, get her dressed, tell 1st born to eat his yogurt because we have to go.
  • Toddler melts down. He “didn’t even waaaaant yoguuuuurt.”
  • Make toast.
  • Put shoes on 1st born.
  • 2nd born pooped, change her again.
  • Put shoes back on 1st born because he forgot we were leaving when you stopped to change 2nd born.
  • Put on an episode of Paw Patrol while I slap on a little makeup for the day.
  • Finish doing makeup once “good enough” is reached.
  • Tell 1st born you’re leaving in 3 minutes while you top off 2nd born.
  • Put 1st born’s shoes on again. Why did you even bother the first two times?
  • Pack processed snack in diaper bag because 1st born never ate breakfast.
  • Put kids in car. Start car.
  • Run in to microwave cold coffee and run back out in a fury fearing someone’s seen you leave the kids buckled in their car seats at 10 in the morning and already called the cops.
  • ARE YOU KIDDING ME IT’S 10 AM??!!
  • Drive lunch over to husband who asks, “What are you up to today?”
  • Die.

Your oldest will surprise you

There’s not “typical” way your first born is going to react and adjust to having a sibling for the first time. They may smother them by wanting to share all their toys at the same time or they may try to hoard all the toys for themself because sharing isn’t exactly second nature. David, our oldest, LOVED his baby sister. We had to make sure he didn’t strangle her by hugging her too hard. But even so, he had some behavior regression. More meltdowns and attitudes. Even though our standards and expectations for him didn’t change, we tried to give him as much love as we possibly could because sharing mom and dad for the first time can’t be easy.

You’ll feel like “yourself” again way sooner.

Ok, I can’t speak for everyone, but after we had our second, life went back to our new normal way faster than after we had our first. And that’s what we wanted. We justed wanted to bring our baby back home and get going with life again. After families in our church had finished bringing us meals (our church had an awesome 2-week meal plan for families with new babies, illnesses, and various hardships. It was awesome), getting back into cooking was no biggie. And it may sound weird, but I couldn’t wait to get my butt in the gym again. As soon as Ev was 6 weeks old and able to be watched by our gym’s childcare (where she would sleep the whole time at that age) I went back and got myself and hour of me-time a few days a week again.

 

I also started wearing clothes I liked again waaaay sooner. For whatever reason, after having David, I think someone deceived me into thinking that clothes were only comfortable if they were too big and frumpy. I probably just had no idea with what to do with my betweener body (you know, between baby and whatever shape you are 3 to 6 to 18 months later). The second time around, I had an epiphany that I felt much more like myself when I wore clothes that made me feel good about myself. You know, clothes that fit and looked good.

Shop the post below!

Shop the post!

Piper & Scoot Hailey DressPiper & Scoot Hailey Dress
HM CardiganHM Cardigan
Vera Monte TightsVera Monte Tights
HM Laced BootsHM Laced Boots

YAY YOU’RE HAVING A BABY! The second one, that is. Or maybe you’ve already had him or her. Either way, you have to know that having a baby the second time around is not like the first. There are a few things you’ll know to expect, like the classic sleepless nights or diaper blowouts, but there’s a few things that may blindside you. Keep reading, you may just learn a thing or two.

 

 

In: Baby, Family, Kids, Toddler · Tagged: baby, change, child, dad, deliver, delivery, deprived, different, expectations, family, hospital, husbabd, infant, kid, kids, mentally prepare, mom, new, newborn, older, pregnancy, pregnant, ready, second, sibling, sleep, toddler, two, wife, younger

join the club

You’ll Also Love

Lessons I learned in My First 2 Months as a Foster ParentLessons I Learned My First 2 Months as a Foster Parent
8 Super Easy Ways To Show Your Spouse Love Throughout the Day8 Super Easy Ways To Show Your Spouse Love Throughout the Day
Cultivating Quality Time With the Kids This Holiday Season

Comments

  1. Anne | onedeterminedlife says

    December 7, 2017 at 1:26 pm

    These are all so true! I was so mich better prepared for my second child then I was my first. It also helped that I did not suffer from Ppd after birth number 2.

Next Post >

8 Home Workout Planks For Busy Moms

Hi! I'm Chelsea and we're the Damon's. We spent the last two years in WA state paying off student loans and just bought our first house in SC! I love a smooth black coffee, Josh's first love is the Seattle Sounders. Our kids are huge dorks and constantly make us laugh and we all love spending as much time outside as possible.

join the club

Recent Posts

3 Ways to Make the End of Summer a Blast for the Kids

3 Ways to Make the End of Summer a Blast for the Kids

3 Ways I Create Quality Time With My Husband

3 Ways I Create Quality Time With My Husband

The Best Tips + Packing List for Hiking with Kids and Babies

The Best Tips + Packing List for Hiking with Kids and Babies

One of The Best Things You Can Do as a Parent Is Have a Healthy Marriage

One of The Best Things You Can Do as a Parent Is Have a Healthy Marriage

Lessons I Learned My First 2 Months as a Foster Parent

Lessons I Learned My First 2 Months as a Foster Parent

The Pros and Cons of Getting Married Young

The Pros and Cons of Getting Married Young

Categories

  • Family
  • Marriage
  • fitness
  • travel
  • Life & Finances
Shop Presets

Instagram

One of the best Mother's Days! Thanks fam ❤️ S One of the best Mother's Days! Thanks fam ❤️ So blessed to call this family mine!
Just beachy 🌴 Just beachy 🌴
Some photos of life recently. As much as Josh and Some photos of life recently. As much as Josh and I have been pretty go-with-the-flow with Cleo, we've found that she's been getting overly tired at night and almost inconsolable. So the last few nights we've been intentionally putting her to bed around the same time as Davey and Evy and she's actually been loving it? Go figure (also, not complaining! 😆).

Also.. today I walked out of the house to grab something from the car and this 10~ year old girl was walking by with her mom and she goes, "Mom she looks like Barbie!!"

Well that's the best compliment I've had in a while and I'm gonna hold onto it 💖
I've always seen myself as a "go with the flow" ty I've always seen myself as a "go with the flow" type person, and for the most part that's true. But what I've realized recently is that I'm good at going with the flow when I can see a good outcome down the road. But if I smell trouble, "go with the flow" Chelsea is gone with the wind 🌬️

This week we were working on memorizing some Bible verses with the kids. Evy randomly chose Psalm 119:105, "Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way, it is like a light that guides me."

It made me think about how all through scripture, God is just BEGGING us to trust that he has it all figured out. And time and time again, he comes through and does exactly what he says he's going to do. 

But for whatever reason, whenever anything unexpected happens, we immediately think that we need to jump in and control the situation. Some of us are really good at it, too. So it can be really difficult to leave the unknown in God's hands and trust that, yet again, he will provide. 

In this season of unknown for us, I'm praying daily for God to do His will with our family, that he would use us for good, and that we would trust the outcome. It's a scary thing to pray. But ultimately, that's exactly how we hope our short lives will be used—following the path he leads us.

trending now

  • So I know the title of this post says, “What men want most in a wife,” but to be more realistic, this is about what men need most in a wife. Like men, there are a lot of things that we (women) would really like in a husband. Like, it’d be a huge plus if he looked like Chris Hemsworth. But that’s not really what we need in order to have a positive relationship with our spouse. If we married him, we probably think he’s pretty cute, anyway. Take a look at these 5 things a man really needs in a wife, and if you can think of anything else, share your thoughts in the comments below! 5 Things men want most in a wife
  • Do you ever wish that sometimes you could just write a long list to your spouse of all the things he does that drive you insane?? I have done this. 8 of the Worst Marriage Habits
  • Disrespect in marriage can go both ways. Women can react to disrespect from their husbands in many ways. I'm here to share a few positive ways women can react to disrespect in their marriages in order to handle it well and steer their marriage in the direction of grace and kindness again. How to Handle Disrespect in Marriage
  • Sure, they say don’t go to bed while you’re still angry, but sometimes husbands and wives just need some space! That being said, there are healthy ways and unhealthy ways (productive and hurtful, if you will) to get space away from a spouse. Let’s talk about those. The Right and Wrong Way To Give Your Spouse Space

instagram

Follow @chelsealeighdamon

One of the best Mother's Days! Thanks fam ❤️ S One of the best Mother's Days! Thanks fam ❤️ So blessed to call this family mine!
Just beachy 🌴 Just beachy 🌴
Some photos of life recently. As much as Josh and Some photos of life recently. As much as Josh and I have been pretty go-with-the-flow with Cleo, we've found that she's been getting overly tired at night and almost inconsolable. So the last few nights we've been intentionally putting her to bed around the same time as Davey and Evy and she's actually been loving it? Go figure (also, not complaining! 😆).

Also.. today I walked out of the house to grab something from the car and this 10~ year old girl was walking by with her mom and she goes, "Mom she looks like Barbie!!"

Well that's the best compliment I've had in a while and I'm gonna hold onto it 💖
I've always seen myself as a "go with the flow" ty I've always seen myself as a "go with the flow" type person, and for the most part that's true. But what I've realized recently is that I'm good at going with the flow when I can see a good outcome down the road. But if I smell trouble, "go with the flow" Chelsea is gone with the wind 🌬️

This week we were working on memorizing some Bible verses with the kids. Evy randomly chose Psalm 119:105, "Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way, it is like a light that guides me."

It made me think about how all through scripture, God is just BEGGING us to trust that he has it all figured out. And time and time again, he comes through and does exactly what he says he's going to do. 

But for whatever reason, whenever anything unexpected happens, we immediately think that we need to jump in and control the situation. Some of us are really good at it, too. So it can be really difficult to leave the unknown in God's hands and trust that, yet again, he will provide. 

In this season of unknown for us, I'm praying daily for God to do His will with our family, that he would use us for good, and that we would trust the outcome. It's a scary thing to pray. But ultimately, that's exactly how we hope our short lives will be used—following the path he leads us.
Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no be Happy 6th birthday to the OG sister! There's no better feeling than getting to know the wonderful person she is growing into. We're so proud of this girl!! 6 is going to be a great year 💕
I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every I'd want to sleep all day, too, if I were up every hour last night 🙃🙃 

Outfit @honest 🦋
Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, Anyone see our other kids lately?? 😜 You know, it's so funny how some parts of the newborn phase have been like muscle memory and others have been like we've had our first born all over again. 

We were worried about how David and Evy would feel with this new family member but they have been so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes to put it into words. I was especially worried about Ev being supplanted as the youngest but, honestly, being the big sister suits her SO well and I think she's been loving it, too. 

I've also loved getting to experience this again with Josh. The way you band together during the newborn phase especially is very bonding. You rely on each other deeply and it's not always cute or pretty. 

Super grateful 💗
To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going To the best big brother and sister. Cleo is going to think she has the coolest, smartest, bravest big siblings in the world, and she's not wrong 😉
She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early She's here 🌷 Cleo Renée was born 2 weeks early on Saturday March 11 at 1:52 in the morning. 

Josh and I just had a feeling about that day (Friday), so we kept the kids out of school, went out to breakfast, and just spent our last day together as a family of four. 

My contractions started right after my 38 week appointment that morning and progressed throughout the day until around 4pm when I thought, "Mmk, I'm starting to really need to breathe through these. Better go in."

I was so convinced they were going to turn us away that it really didn't hit me that we were actually going to meet our girl that night until we'd been there for a few hours already. 

Baby girl ended up being 7lbs 15oz and 20in long!

We are all so in love. David and Evy are OBSESSED. A few times their friends have come to the door to ask them to play and they've said they'd rather stay home with the baby 😄

We are so blessed and thankful for this little girl ❤️
How to use a French hair pin. I love these things How to use a French hair pin. I love these things because they can hold up even my thick and chunky hair and I don't have a large clip sticking off the back of my head (don't get me wrong, I love a good hair clip, too)! Have you tried one yet??

Explore

  • About
  • My Book
  • Contact

join the club

Shop My Favorites

  • About
  • Instagram
  • About
  • Media Kit | Guest Posting
  • Privacy Policy & T&C’s

Copyright © 2023 Living the Sweet Wife · Theme by 17th Avenue