Do we or don’t we?

With baby no. 2 coming in (roughly) ten weeks, we have lots to think about. Finishing our renovation, moving back into our house and preparing for our baby’s arrival. One thing that has crept up on us is helping Ella to get ready for this new chapter in our family’s life. After turning two, she is growing in independence and it has made me think about how we can best prepare for the months ahead. Ella is going from being the centre of our world (literally, being the only Grandchild on both sides), to having to share the limelight with a new little person.  This will be a big challenge in itself!

Given the fact that she has just turned two, there are a couple of other challenges that I wanted to tackle before the baby arrives. I decided, but undecided. I want things to be easier for us all, but also don’t want to rush things. In my head I have decided to tackle these challenges, but I would love to have some advice from people who have been there, done that….

Firstly, toilet training. The thought of two kids in nappies is enough to make me try it. Ella is showing the right signs…she is interested, tells me (every now and then) when she has a wet nappy and at 25 months is the right age to have a go at trying. Given the fact that I am living at my Mother in Law’s, I don’t want to ‘make a mess’, but I am determined to spend three days bunkered down to at least try. I have visions of chasing Ella around with a mop, but I know that given the fact that I have eight weeks before the baby comes, I need to give it a try.

Secondly, moving Ella to a ‘big girl bed’. This one I think will be a little harder, as we cannot do it until we move back into the house. If timing prevails, we will have two weeks to get her used to her new room and new bed. We will be using her cot for the new baby and so really need to pull through with this one. We have already bought her the bed and will invest in side rails, but I worry about her staying in bed and have visions of her running around in the middle of the night. Ella has not been the best sleeper and has of late, returned to crying (no screaming) when we put her to bed. Last night I was surprised that the neighbours didn’t come knocking themselves. I’m just hoping that the novelty of a big bed is inviting enough to help her ‘want’ to go to bed. I know it is probably wishful thinking.

So there in lies my challenges before the baby arrives. Do we or don’t we? If we do, what advice to you have to make the time as stress free as possible? Believe me when I say that we will need it!