Positive Pregnancy Test and Freaking Out

[Anonymous]

So I haven't been feeling well lately and I casually took a pregnancy test just now and it is positive. We have a six month old and this was definitely not planned. We definitely want more children and I know once I get over my shock I will be very happy but this is such a different feeling from when I got a positive with my first child. Anyone out there with kids this close in age - 14 months - who can give me some words of encouragement?? My husband is working late so I haven't told anyone and just need some words of encouragement. He is going to freak out too!

[Anonymous]

I am not going to lie - initially it is hard - BUT once they youngest is around 18 months it is great!

They play together and entertain each other. It is wonderful to see them growing up together!

[Anonymous]

Mine are 17 months apart. I love it now. I would agree with PP that the first six months are difficult to manage - it's just hard having to take care of an infant and a toddler. But now my children are preschool age and they are best friends. They play together and the older child actually teaches the younger child everything. I barely need to be there sometimes!

Good luck to you. I think there are a lot of advantages to having children so close in age.

[Anonymous]

It's actually not as bad as you think. A 14 month old is usually starting to walk and takes 2 good naps a day. I've done it. It took some good scheduling, but it wasn't as bad as I worried about. Now I have no one in diapers and it's wonderful! My BF had 4 siblings and all his were 12 months apart! I am in awe of his mother.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations!

Yes, it will be difficult at first, but really, after the first year or so, it will be great. Just try to remember that the initial tough period of time will pass and won't be forever. Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I can relate. My older son will be 21 month when I have twins in July. It is scary and I often think about how I will manage. Since I haven't yet been through it I don't have any specific suggestions other than try to get some help to give you a bit of break - esp during the 2nd trimester when you will prob be exhausted. Also, everyone has counselled me that I will need to pay extra attention to my oldest when the twins arrive - b/c he'll be more "aware" than they will be. We'll see how all this goes...In the long run though I do think it's worth it - it's just struggling to get through the first 18 months (DS is now 18 months and I can tell you 18 months is sooo much easier than 6!)

[Anonymous]

I can share my experience as someone with a sister who is about a year and a half younger than I am. While I think initially it was challenging for my mom (and for me as a toddler), growing up we were very close, and now in our late 20s we are such great friends. I love having a sister that close in age. It got easier on my mom as we got older because we were into the same toys and activities, and even had a lot of the same friends. We pretty much entertained each other. Good luck to you--I can imagine it must be quite a shock, but it could also be a really great thing for your family!

[Anonymous]

I second what the PP wrote. My brother and I are 16 months apart. We are very close friends now. Sure there were some fights when we were little, but more than anything I remember playing together, riding the school bus together and always having someone there for me when I needed it.

Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Oh my, I could have written that post! A month ago I found out that I am expecting # 2 and I currently have a 9 month old. My children will only be 15 months apart and while I was initially freaked out about how to handle two small children I am now over the shock and look forward to having another child. One of my friends is expecting # 2 and she has a 3 year old that is really upset about having a sibling. The 3 year old has been reverting back to baby behavior and my friend will be in for a challenge when #2 comes along! At least our children won't be old enough to really understand that they have to share the attention and we don't have to deal with "I don't want a brother/sister" attitude.

My brother and I are also only 15 months apart and we are really close. We always played well with each other and he was really really protective of me when we were small. I always felt that we had a special bond and that he will always be there for me.

That being said, I am still stressed about having an infant and toddler at the same time and I worry that I will not be able to give # 1 as much attention as she deserves. I know we are looking at some long nights (but we are already used to that), many more diapers, but there will also be many wonderful moments and I can't wait to introduce my dd to her new sibling.

The thing I worry about most at this moment is having to leave my dd when I go into labor and not being there when she wakes up in the morning. I have never been away from dd and I wish I could go into labor at 8 am and be back home at 6 pm!

Now I only wish people who stop asking if "it" was planned!! No, not really but I know how wonderful it is being a mom, I have a beautiful child and I look forward to welcoming another little baby into our family.

By the way, I was so freaked out that I could not even pee on the test (I was scared about my husband's reaction) but when he saw the result he was genuinely happy.

Feel free to contact me ([e-mail]) if you would like to talk more.

[Anonymous]

My brother and I are 14 months apart and we are soooooo close and my mom said it was just wonderfu for her--tiring yes but wonderful. Ditto my friend who had invitro for number one and was told that without invitro no kids--well five months later she was pregnant naturally. She was in shock for a month but then adjusted and swears by having kids close. My one suggestion would be to have a night nanny for the first week or two so you can really catch up on sleep and get adjusted to having two--if you are nursing you can pump and give it to the nanny. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you SO much for all the reponses and words of encouragement. I really appreciate it. My husband came home and I told him and his response was, "Well we have always wanted two kids!" It helped that he stayed so level headed about the entire situation. I think he knew I needed that support. So, now we are excited and will enjoy this second miracle in our life. We have years to sleep, right?!