So I know it's technically possible to have twins and then a singleton within two years. Have any of you done this? Or some other way had 3 under 2? If so...do you have any advice? The ages would be newborn, 19m, 22m. And this is all hypothetical, of course.
I'm just trying to visualize how the day to day could possibly work. And the nights, for that matter.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
@Mrs. Turtle: you should reach out to Mrs. Train. She had newborn twins and a 10 month old. Also I think Mrs. Blue's 3rd LO was born right around the time her twins turned 2.
blogger / pear / 1509 posts
@Mrs. Pickle: thanks! I knew there were a couple, just couldn't remember who.
pomegranate / 3350 posts
My mom's cousins are older sister and twins 10 months younger. Somehow they all made it to adulthood so it can be done! We saw the oldest at Thanksgiving and she spoke of how she felt very left out - like she would need something and was always put off because the twins were younger and needed more help. I think having the two older closer in age might make it slightly easier although still very challenging! My older 2 are 20 months apart and I can't imagine having a third at the same time.
blogger / pear / 1509 posts
@skipra: 10 months apart would be so hard! The only thing that is making this even a consideration for us is that both of the other ones will be closer to 2 than 1. I would imagine many siblings of twins might feel left out. Hard to say what our situation would be like. And realistically, it wouldn't necessarily be a permanent situation with all 3.
pineapple / 12793 posts
Mrs.Blue had twins and 22 months later a singleton.
I had three under three (almost we were four days past three with my oldest). It was tough but doable.
ETA: i think it may be easier for you because the older two would have similar developmental needs and still nap. My oldest dropped her nap soon after my youngest arrived and that was tough. Having three in different stages was tricky.
blogger / pear / 1509 posts
@oliviaoblivia: Thanks. What were the hardest parts for you? How did you manage them? I'm thinking going out alone with them will be nearly impossible, unless the two toddlers magically start staying with me when they're walking. Also worried about solo bedtime, which is 3 nights every week for me. Those are my biggest fears I think. How do I manage the 3 together when I'm by myself?!
blogger / pear / 1509 posts
@oliviaoblivia: just read your edit. That makes sense. Having two so close together does make certain things easier because they have basically the same needs at this point.
pineapple / 12793 posts
@Mrs. Turtle: I'm on my own a lot and don't have much help. You just kind of do it. I pretty much work out logistics of how I'm moving their bodies hours before I need to leave. I never leave the house without a double stroller and a carrier. My oldest is four now and is great at walking (thank god!) now but was a major runner for a long time. My second is flexible and easy going. I streamlined bedtime so I'm not reading fifteen bedtime stories, everyone gets hosed off together. When my third was a newborn she just got a lot of sponge baths. My expectations of what I can get done are low. I can do max two things. Grocery store and post office that's it. Park and doctor OK we're done.
I'm lucky that all three have been unicorn sleepers so at least I get a full tank of sleep every night.
I rely on screentime when I solo bedtime. "Have an iPad, I'll be back in 20 mins."
blogger / pear / 1509 posts
@oliviaoblivia: This is super helpful. Having gotten these two right aside they became mobile, I have to remember that newborns actually stay where you put them. Maybe crying, but they do stay put. I get the planning thing, I've gotten pretty good at that with these guys. What kind of double stroller do you use? We are borrowing a side by side nice umbrella type and I like it, but the two toddlers spend the entire time trying to claw each other's eyes out. Not ideal. Maybe investing in a front and back style would be a lifesaver.
pineapple / 12793 posts
@Mrs. Turtle: I'm a big side by side fan. I had a tandem and that was such a beast to maneuver. I use a Mountain Buggy Duet and a BOB Duallie. The small one is great for the city and transit and the BOB is a sailboat huge but so smooth. The BOB has bigger weight limits and I can have my big girl sit on the front nose portion if she gets tired.
I'd check out the Valco Trimode if you can find one. They're setting the new model in Canada but it's not in the states yet. It's a side by side with a seat you can add to the front. Or the Donkey with the board and seat, though 22 months is probably too young.
blogger / pear / 1509 posts
@oliviaoblivia: Interesting. I'm not sure we can do a side by side unless the baby was in one side. I hardly use the one we have because I always end up carrying one of them after they hit each other. 
I'll look into that other one. Sounds interesting. I might have to try a tandem. The good thing about foster care is that the kids have visits 5 days per week, so I have 5 one hour blocks of time when I'm in town (20 min away) and child free (or if this all happens, I'll have the newborn...hypothetically). I use this time for grocery shopping, etc. So I don't have to do that with the kids very often.
pomegranate / 3350 posts
@Mrs. Turtle: I do imagine being almost 2 with a NB is SO much easier than only 10 months. So with the almost 2 year old crowd you just have to keep an eye on them at ALL times and that will be the big struggle. When my second was a baby it was almost a game for my oldest to see what he could do to the baby if I turned my back for a second. Sitting on him in the bouncy seat was a favorite. On the other hand, if the older two get along then it could actually help so they are not so focused on the baby. We have 3 now and the older two are pretty good about playing together if I need to tend to the baby.
As far as strollers, we have a Britax B Ready and it's easy to maneuver but they fight over the top seat so we had to get a side by side. Friends with the lower seat in the front strollers complain they are difficult to maneuver. You can't win!
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
My summary is that the first year was insane. Really insane, but also a time I have some wonderful memories from. And now (at almost 2 and almost 4), it's really not a big deal. I mean we have normal crazy days where we think we're going to go insane, but that's just parenting! 
It was sufficiently survivable that we decided to add a number 4 (as did Mrs. Train and hers were even closer together!), so it's totally doable if you keep the end goal in mind.
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
Also, feel free to send me a pm if you want to talk specifics off the public forum.
blogger / pear / 1509 posts
@skipra: Yes, these are the things that terrify me. T for sure would be like that-he's like that with O already. He is starting to get better, so I can just hope that by 22 months he has improved in that way. They do play together a lot, and usually don't get hurt, so hopefully that would be a plus to having the two older ones.
blogger / pear / 1509 posts
@Mrs. Blue: I'm so glad you saw this, I was trying to figure out how to contact you directly. Thanks for your input...I'll take you up on your offer to answer some questions. I think your situation is about the closest we are going to come to what our lives could look like in 5 months! (hypothetically)
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
@oliviaoblivia: I haven't made a big announcement yet, but yep.
pineapple / 12793 posts
@Mrs. Blue: that's so awesome!!! I'm super excited for you, those boys are adorable can't wait to see your next one! 
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