You have no idea...

[codajo]

Yeah...Thanks Erin! I know regardless we'll be happy to TTC #2 when it's right. Whether it's next month or next year. We just wanted it to be sooner rather than later, but we'll take whatever! We've talked and would like to have #2 so that Travis and the baby wouldn't be any more than 2 years apart, but...We shall see. Baby fever is kickin in!

[nic.cox]

While it's not my kids, I can share with you my experience with the kids I nanny for. They're 18 and 3.5 months old. They are 14.5 months apart. I've cared for the kids since the older one was two months old, non-stop, full time.

It was pretty tough on the mom at first. She was lucky that she had me full time during the day until dad got home, but she seemed to have a rough time for quite a bit. There is no stopping a 14 month old whether or not you've slept in the last two days, and if he wants to eat, he wants to eat NOW, whether you're nursing or changing a diaper, or whatever.

From my perspective, it's been sad seeing the older one sort of taking a backseat during the first month or two, especially when they were such growing months for him. His speech got delayed a bit and he got super jealous and clingy.

I was always just *his* during mom's maternity leave, so not much of his attitude was directed at me thankfully, but when I took over his sister full time, he was MAD. I have to be very careful every day to make sure he always seems to be my first priority. His sister doesn't know that I spend more time with him than her at this point, so it helps keep the peace a bit.

Now that he's 18 months and she's 3.5 months, things are getting easier. He's matured a lot in the last three months, and he understands a bit more. Having experienced this, I think the closest together I'd ever want my kids is 18 months old. Seeing interaction from other kids at baby gym and book babies, I think that two years old would be ideal, if you wanted your kids close together.

[sondra_mama]

^^ thats why i didnt want to have my kids close in age. we decided to try ttc when our oldest wasn't needing our full attention anymore. age 3. potty trained, can grab a snack out of the fridge if i'm nursing and cant get up at the moment, etc. i just feel like chayden is ready now that he is old enough. but to each their own =]

[Fayth]

The first 2 months with lil M were pretty rough. I think no matter the age, there is a good chance of having a rough start. It's hard for kids to accept a new little being taking up all of their time!!

[Laura]

Corissa, I know exactly how you feel. DH is finally on board with wanting another baby, and Shelby is already 18 months old. I really wanted my babies to be close in age, but we can't really afford another one right now, because daycare cost would be pretty much my whole salary, which would defeat the purpose of me working, except my job pays my insurance completely. We can't afford insurance for me without my job. Vicious cycle. We have to plan it carefully, so that I don't have a gap in insurance, because with teaching, if you switch districts, you have about 1-2 months where your old insurance ends, and your new insurance hasn't kicked in yet. I'm planning on switching districts...I hate this one.

[codajo]

Laura! It is difficult! I hate it! I just have to keep remembering that I need to give Travis all I possibly can at this point.

[Mandis]

I have baby fever too, and at this point, we aren't going to TTC our next one (most likely our last) until 2013! I have no idea how I'm going to survive the next 3.5 years! Let's just say, I'm SO glad I have night school, because it really makes time fly!

I think it's awesome though that you're being so responsible about waiting because of your jobs and starting a new business. Hopefully your new business will be a big success and you don't have to wait too long.

[madrose124]

i hope your business works out! he could always join the military = free med insurance and money for rent and a paycheck guaranteed. I have no complaints, at least as far as benefits are concerned.

[Bubblyboo]

I don't think 2 or 3 yrs age difference is too bad. I guess because my sister and I are two years apart. I have no kids yet, but I can go off what my mom told me about us: It was a good separation because I helped her with my sister, bringing a diaper at the most,LOL AND I was potty trained. I think the potty trained part helped most of all.

Hopefully I can have 3 at 2 years apart, but at 28 now, I might only be able to have two.

[Utahmama]

My kids are 14 months apart. I wouldn't change it for the world. If i could get PG, i would have started trying getting PG when Evan turned 6 months old..