First, my disclaimer is that I still only have one child, but #2 will be here in September, so I'm already giving it some thought. Get a good sling or wrap, whatever you feel comfortable wearing your 10 week old in. This will be good to keep her happy in while you're walking around doing whatever it is you need to do. In a little while, when she has good head control, you can wear her on your back if she's fussy so that you can cook. Just don't cook with her on your front! Also, involving your two year old is a great idea. My son is almost 2.5, but is a great help with picking up toys so I can vacuum, sorting out underwear and socks from the laundry, helping move wet clothes from the washer to the dryer, and putting away things like our napkins, placemats, and towels. He can also carry dishes to the counter in the kitchen, and will help clean the cabinets and furniture. The thing to remember is that they'll need guidance, and it can take twice as long, but it's a great thing for them to learn. I also suggest using a non-toxic cleaner (we use a white vinegar/water solution). As for the bills, sign up for as many auto-pays as you can. You can either do it through each individual payee, or most banks have the online option to set it up. We have all but one or two bills on auto pay, so we recieve the statement about 1-2 weeks prior to the payment, so we can be sure to have the funds available for the transfer. Plan out your menus for the whole week, write a shopping list, stick to the list, and you'll be in and out in no time (wearing your little baby will help keep them happy too!). Plan to do what you need to do during the part of the day when your kids are the most rested and in the best moods. For us, that's the morning. My son doesn't normally nap anymore, so I have to figure out how to get everything done with him underfoot,and he's more likely to be content to play by himself in the morning. The afternoons are for fun things (bike riding, park, pool, etc.). Don't feel bad about asking your 2 year old to play by herself for a little. It is an important skill to learn, and having things on-hand like finger paints (in the kitchen or outside!), markers, stickers, playdough, etc, can help her learn if she's not so good at it right now. Lastly, remember that there's a huge difference between a "dirty" house, and one that is "messy and lived in by two children." It doesn't have to be perfect, and if there's a day where you just want to spend it all with your kids instead of doing that laundry that has started to pile up, then go ahead and spend the time with the kids. The clothes aren't going anywhere!
