W.,
I live in a 2nd floor walk up with a 14 month old, I am a single mom. It definitely is incredible difficult. I too live in a rent stabilized apt, affordable. Having said that, Each day I struggle and am frustrated with no elevator. I tried moving before I gave birth but found nothing last year reasonable. I would begin looking immediately. That would be my advice. I am now looking again as I believe the market is better.
If you decide not too. Here is what you have to expect, and be prepared for all things unexpected....here goes...
Even with a husband or baby nurse ( which I had for 2 months), you will have to renegotiate everything and how you did it before. Lets start with shopping...start opening an acct with diapers.com and freshdirect.com for food. Great sites, free delivery and best of all saving time shopping for these items.
In the begining it won't be a problem the first 3-5 months, you will use baby bjorn with one and maybe hold the other. Or perhaps you will have help with family or a baby nurse. There were times when I had to leave the baby upstairs while bringing down a stroller or bags for instance. In the begining its fine they can't move and most of the time sleep. Or as you said leave them in the stroller below. Not my favorite, because you never know who walks the building. However, I would carry my baby monitor with me, that helped.
While saying that this all works out, thats to say that you have an easy delivery...no complications. I had an unexpected c sect and migraine headaches after. You can't and are not allowed to carry more than I believe 5 or so pounds while healing. It takes a while and stairs are very challenging after such surgery. However, I got through it pain and all.
If you are determined you will too, but if you have to carry your stroller each time and bags, you will hate it and get so frustrated. Its exhausting just carrying the kids, not counting the baby bag, milk, diapers and more. Generally, you will have to make trips down to set up before you bring the babies down.
Well hope this helps to give you insight.
J.
I