Newborn and Toddler

Find a nursery school program for your two year old, something that is a couple of afternoons or mornings a week. You will appreciate the alone time with baby, and your toddler will appreciate time away from baby and the company of other kids.

Buy a Sit and Stand stroller and go for lots of walks. Everyone gets out for fresh air and sunshine, two year old gets exercise, but has the option to ride if he/she gets tired.

Never insist that everyone be quiet so the baby can nap. Ensure the baby learns to nap while life goes on or while on the go.

Find a good play group. A place where the two year old can play, and you can nurse the baby while you get to talk to other adults. Its great to go where you know you won't get the hairy eyeball because your baby is crying.

Get out of the house EVERY DAY!!! Have a shower, fix your hair, get out and face the world. Go to the library, the Y, museum, zoo, playgroup, playground or just a trip to the grocery store.

Make sure your husband is able to care for both children on his own, and take some time off each week, if only a couple of hours, and get away from the kids. Have lunch with a friend, get a manicure, go to a movie...

Make supper during naptime.

My kids are 18 months apart. When my second was born my toddler was very very whiney clingy and hard to manage.

I hired help!! I had a nanny come to my house once a week for 4-6hours.. I used that time to run all of my errands with no children tagging along.

for my sanity i joined a playgroup run by a local school district. they kids got to play in a fun safe environment and I got to hang out with other moms. also the other moms coudl help me by holding a baby if the toddler was having a meltdown.

I didnt get much done except take care of the babies. I kept up with dishes and laundry and vacuuming.

it will get easier.. but not soon.. when the baby starts crawling -- that is a tough stage too...

hugs.. my kids are 5 and 7 now and it is super easry...

First two were Irish twins. Then a year later number three and a year later number four. So I survived. Just did babies. We got out everyday that the weather allowed. A routine was a must. My morning routine never varied.
Afternoon was flexible this way we could get out. Everyone was in bed early. 6:30 or 7 PM. Enjoy. It goes by fast.

Keep a basket of books and small toys by the couch that way when you sit down to feed baby, toddler can cuddle next to you and you can read to them!
When baby naps, pay more attention to toddler than to housework.
Involve toddler in baby care.
Get out! Go for walks!
Dont' worry about house mess, this to shall pass and babies/toddlers are only little for a short while.
I know it's hard, but you will look back on these years as your most precious of all!!!!
Mine are 2yrs and 1mo apart..... :)

My first two are twenty one months apart. It was hard. I had a craft box for the 2 year old id set her up when I'd breastfeed, but mostly, we got out of the house everyday . We went to the zoo,the park, etc. I found that keeping occupied meant better behavior on her part.

I don't send my kids to school, so I didn't really get a break. One thing I did do was let m 2 year old watch TV for an hour every day. She didn't nap either, so that was my only down time.

I recommend preparing meals for the week when hubby is around to help on the weekend. This is going to become increasingly important as the baby becomes more demanding.

1. Get them on the same nap schedule as soon as possible. (not for a few months of course)
2. Make meals ahead of time, weekends or evenings.
3. Have hubby do stuff one on one with each so you have time with the other.
4. GET ORGANIZED! Not saying you're not, just saying I cannot stress this enough! Have a packed diaper bag in the car with dry snacks for the 2 yo, dipes and wipes etc, as well as a second diaper bag in the house for when you go somewhere just walking.
5. Set up flows in the house that work. IE if you have a split level like me, then you might want a changing station on every floor.
6. Be ok with things not being perfect. Don't stress the house being messy. Don't try and "entertain" guests. If people want to come visit say sure, bring food. LOL! Or if they ask what can they bring, don't be shy!
7. Try and nap.
8. ENJOY!!!!!
9. Go outside every day.
10. A schedule (not formal) works great! Where you go out every day at certain times, do bath at other times, read at others etc.

Remember that it is actually a little easier now to do things with the 2 yr old, because the infant will sleep so much. Sadly, it will be harder before it gets easier. Your infant will start sleeping less in a couple of months and you will have to be very very careful - your toddler could really hurt the baby if left alone, even for one second while you go to the bathroom or whatever. So be prepared for this. Know that it won't start to get easier until the baby is a walking and talking toddler. Sorry to burst any possible bubble but that is the truth.

That said, it is a beautiful time. My youngest is now about to be 2 and I am not having any more. I am excited that soon I'll have all of them in school but also it makes me tear up to think of all of the sweet baby times...

So again try and enjoy as much as you can. Be thankful that for now, you are their whole world! Even if sometimes it would be so nice to poop/eat/shower/put makeup on/get dressed or anything - IN PEACE!!!