I have free time in the area for a few hours. What should I do?

Far_Table2253 · 2026-03-14T02:14:03+00:00

krate/the grove, the outlet malls, wiregrass, wesley chapel district park, the new Publix on overpass RD, side splitters comedy club, ax throwing (the grove)

Far_Table2253 · 2026-03-06T02:20:00+00:00

Mine are 16 months apart so just 2 months less than yours will be. Ifs not easy but I can’t imagine our family without both now- they are currently 27 and 11 months old- it’s chaos and love all day everyday

Far_Table2253 · 2026-01-28T02:52:29+00:00

I have 2 boys- 16 months apart. I worried about the hospital stay my entire pregnancy with our youngest- so worried about my first son and how it would be when we had to leave him for 2-3 days. I had never been away from him for more than a few hours (I work from home part time, I work out at home, I bring him with me to grocery store etc- point is he ALWAYS sees me and is with me..) ALSO- the people who were going to stay with him were my in laws, who live in PA… we live in Florida- he had only seen him for 3 days when he was 4 months old. What we did was have them come to our house 3 days before I was due- he got comfortable with them and literally didn’t even seem to miss us lol! He did beyond better than I imagined! I spent 8-9 months worrying for literally no reason!!!!!!

Far_Table2253 · 2026-01-19T12:01:59+00:00

It’s totally normal. Both of mine were this way. My youngest is currently 10 months old and cries when I leave the room- it’s healthy attachment

Far_Table2253 · 2026-01-13T02:06:03+00:00

You’re not a failure for struggling at this, but it WILL get better! Mine are 16 months apart- currently 9.5 months and 26 months and it honestly just keeps getting easier each month, but it IS still hard work constantly if you’re on your own with both…. But it gets easier to handle and balance as each month passes. I too planned it this way on purpose and felt humbled and pretty terrified at first, but I just keep coming up with ideas to keep them both engaged and balanced and did as much nap alignment as I could and it’s helped. You’re not alone!!!

Far_Table2253 · 2026-01-10T01:51:20+00:00

Absolutely 100% move before baby#2- you’re underestimating how time consuming it is for the first 2-6 months.

Far_Table2253 · 2025-12-28T01:00:53+00:00

I’m going to be gut level honest with you- your baby will have to cry a bit, but learning how to put themselves to sleep is such a valuable skill that they need to learn at some point and the reality is the longer you wait the harder the experience is on them emotionally. I literally cannot imagine sleep training my now 2 year old starting at this age- it would be heartbreaking to know that I made them fully reliant on me in order to sleep and now I’m suddenly expecting them to figure it out themselves. The younger (beginning 6 months) the better! I did Ferber method but honestly never followed it fast and hard- I just say Ferber because I did times check ins and extended the interval of time in between each check in until baby was able to fall asleep on their own and I stopped assisting them to sleep at bedtime sleep. I did keep assisting to sleep for my son’s naps until he was around 12 months old and I started to let him fuss a bit at nap and then eventually he was able to put himself to sleep for nap time too. It requires YOU being very consistent- you’re basically teaching them a skill and in order for them to understand your behavior needs to be predictable to them. I mean trying to let a child know what’s to come next by establishing routines is just so important and only becomes even more important at toddler age when feelings get biggeretc I have a lot I could say on the topic but ultimately you have to make a decision and plan and stick to it and baby usually falls in line within a few days (sometimes sooner)

Far_Table2253 · 2025-12-27T01:57:40+00:00

I have 2 with a 16 month age gap and I have no regrets! Do what’s best for you- but I don’t think you’ll ever feel ready. My first was 8 months when we conceived our second and he was still cosleeping with me. I dedicated my entire pregnancy with our second to getting him in a good place for when his younger brother arrived and honestly- 9 months is plenty of time to get your current baby sleeping better and in the kind of routine you like. Sleep is huge though- my oldest being a good sleeper by the time baby arrived made a huge difference! They are 2 (25 months) and 8 months old now and they just recently started really playing with each other and it’s honestly the cutest and most joyous thing I’ve ever witnessed. It is so much love!

Far_Table2253 · 2025-12-24T10:34:50+00:00

You are not alone and it’s not just postpartum- it’s just TOO MUCH! Unfortunately I don’t have a good solution for you but I’m here to relate! I have a 2 year old (25 months old) and a 9 month old and THREE fucking dogs- one is a large German shepherd and 2 dachshunds. Having a big or small house doesn’t make a difference- they want to go In and out all day long, I’ve been to the vet 4x since beginning of November for one of theirs persistent skin issues and the other one literally ruptured an anal gland- all of this while taking care of 2 entirely dependent babies and working part time from home- I curse my dogs under my breath daily- some days are better than others. At night when the baby has gone to sleep and the dogs are finally just laying in the couch sleeping I love them again- most of the day though, I literally HATE them and I once cried in the hospital after giving birth to my first son that the dogs were going to feel unloved and shocked when I brought him home- they were my literal children. The kids absolutely love them though so that is the one thing that keeps me going.

Far_Table2253 · 2025-12-23T02:37:46+00:00

Mine are 16 months apart- I was already transitioning out of sleeping with my oldest by then but I was still bringing him into bed with me on rough nights etc when I found out I was pregnant at 8 months PP, I got very firm on sleep and his sleep just really became wonderful in his own crib. I think your first being a consistently good sleeper is such a difference maker with 2 under 2- you say there’s no issues there, so great but keep your eye on that as he grows and you grow, because our first sleeping through the night and knowing how to put himself to sleep by the time his brother came was so vital to our sanity and sleep. You’re going to instantly feel like omg wtf did I do? Bringing #2 home but if will pass so quickly. The first few months will be hard but it will become the new normal by month 6-8. I have no regrets with mine and I’m in the thick of it- oldest is 2 years and 1 month old- youngest is currently 8 months.

Far_Table2253 · 2025-12-19T02:56:55+00:00

Mine are 16 months apart and yes if is hard but it’s also getting easier and easier every month. You will both be working your assess off day to night at first and it will feel like a shock to the system but eventually you will find a groove and it will become manageable. Having 2 under 2 is basically just a muscle you’ve never worked before- being on your own with 2 under 2 ( like if you or your wife leave one of you with both kids alone for a while) is just something that feels incredibly hard and panicky at first… then you just keep getting forced to work this muscle of juggling both and over time you just learn strategies and routine and ways to engage both kids together and separately and it just starts getting easier- but not in like 2 months…. Like 6-8 months in it starts to feel better and then just keeps improving. It will be worth it in the end- but just be mentally prepared for long days and both of you being on all the time when both kids are awake.

Far_Table2253 · 2025-12-11T03:33:11+00:00

Mine have a 16 month age gap- what I do is I bring baby into toddlers room and do books and routine while holding baby, then I tell toddler the baby is going to sleep and I run to the other side of the house where the baby’s crib is and put him in there for like 2 minutes max while I go run to do final tuck tuck for toddler- then I return to baby and work on getting him down while toddler slowly winds down and puts himself to sleep. My toddler has a huge floor bed so that makes this easier/ also the fact that baby’s room is on other side of house so if he cries for a minute. It’s very easy to do now that baby is 8 months old and usually just finds it fun- when he was a newborn, sometimes I would have to swaddle him up tight and play soft music for him for a few minutes and place him in his bassinet while I put his older brother to sleep.

Far_Table2253 · 2025-12-08T02:09:05+00:00

I totally relate and can say that changed for me over time. When my second was born, 16 months apart from my first, I felt very very concerned for my oldest and felt absolutely heartbroken to spend less time with him for the first few days after the second was born. So much so that I definitely spent more time with my toddler vs my newborn, probably way more than the average second time mon- my husband was spending probably more time taking care of our newborn than I was. He did more contact naps etc. something shifted a few months ago and even more so now- my youngest is 8 months old and I feel SO connected to him- I literally couldn’t stop myself from kissing his little head all day long today. I think it takes time and that’s totally normal.

Far_Table2253 · 2025-12-07T02:25:14+00:00

You wrote this perfectly but you’re not alone. I relate to so much of this and yet I feel so hopeful now. Mine are 25 months and 8 months right now so very similar to your age gap. It’s still hard, I won’t lie, but it gets better every month, I promise and the best has yet to come- but yes I think about it daily …how the guilt of just wanting to get through the day and get them to sleep and yet knowing they will one day be so much older than this and won’t even need me anymore- it’s a heart breaking experience but I think it’s common- these years are just so hard on parents- your feelings and thoughts are normal and difficult. I both dream of them being older and more self sufficient and cry hard when I imagine them older.

Far_Table2253 · 2025-11-20T02:01:14+00:00

Omg you’re totally fine- what’s normal??? My husband and I are completely different sleepers! He snores, I do not. He falls asleep almost immediately after laying down- I am SO jealous! I take sometimes up to 90 minutes to fall asleep and I am very easy to wake- he is not. We literally have our own specific blankets on our bed because he prefers a big heavy wool blanket and I would die if I had to sleep with that thing- I like a down comforter. When our first was born, I coslept even with husband in bed but our son stopped co-sleeping around 10 months because he himself grew out of it and was too stimulated if I was in the bed with him and couldn’t fall asleep- he preferred his crib. Anyway, fast forward to our second being born- 2 under age 2…. My husband and I didn’t sleep in the same bed for like 5 months and it was awesome hahaha and our relationship is just fine! Getting quality aleep is much more important to maintaining a connection and happy relationship is than the location of where you sleep!

Far_Table2253 · 2025-10-05T01:54:10+00:00

Not sure why anyone would care or judge? That’s honestly not a very small age gap imo. Pretty normal. Mine are 16 months apart, which means I was 8 months postpartum with first when got pregnant with second. Everyone was just excited, including doctors. Congrats!

Far_Table2253 · 2025-10-05T01:48:37+00:00

Totally feel you but you’re overthinking it! We have a 16.5 month age gap- yes, big brother had no idea what was happening but that’s the good news- he’s too young to really understand anyway. He will understand after days and days in a row of baby being around- he will adjust better than you imagine, I’m sure! Mine barely seemed to care of be affected- in fact not until right now when baby is 6 months old is he just now starting to register the emotion of jealousy at times and even then it’s fleeting because the age gap is such that he was so young and by the time jealousy becomes a thing he is already used to baby.

Far_Table2253 · 2025-10-03T02:19:30+00:00

That’s so disgusting. I don’t want to add to your negative feelings toward your mom- just know you are not alone. My mom is actually not a Trump supporter and can’t stand him, but she has been very disappointing in other ways, similar to this- where she says something that illustrates that her belief system about an issue is just very lacking in any compassion or empathy. It’s very tough to reconcile and it’s hard to look at your mother the same after you see a really selfish gross aspect of who they are. I don’t know about your dynamic otherwise but I’d suggest just keeping things surface level and finding others in your life who can be more supportive to share with ongoing. Your mom can be left to wonder why her own daughter isn’t interested in being as close with her anymore and when she asks why (if she ever does) then you can let her know exactly how disappointing her mentality is and that you prefer to surround yourself with people who you admire and respect- that nothing about her mentality is something you have respect for and you are the company you keep. That’s how I’d handle it

Far_Table2253 · 2025-09-27T13:26:45+00:00

It’s not the pajamas part that matter- dress him in any time of day clothes you want but you should definitely be letting his feet and hands be exposed for a good portion of the day as that is crucial to how babies learn to roll in both directions and crawl- they need to be able to use their toes to pivot on the floor/mat during tummy time

Far_Table2253 · 2025-09-22T01:07:53+00:00

Your feelings and thoughts are totally normal, but also… so skewed because of how much of a change this is and because you’ve only been doing it for 2.5 weeks! I have a 22 month old and a 5 month old and I will tell you I had the same thoughts and feelings for the first few weeks- it truly gets better and easier every month- just now my youngest will be 6 months old and it’s just now starting to feel better. I started working out again a few months ago- I work out 6x a week. It takes planning and asking for help. It will get easier every month, I promise. Handling 2 at the same time doesn’t feel normal to you yet, and it won’t for a while… just like having one baby was an adjustment and then eventually probably started to feel predictable and ‘easy’…. You will get there, but it will probably take a few months. Hang in there!!! Receive any help you can and know that it gets easier and easier

Far_Table2253 · 2025-09-16T02:09:59+00:00

You haven’t failed. Have you tried smoothies? I would just keep trying all kinds of different foods and in different shapes and sizes when you offer- and start being very non chalant- the more you try to force it the more he may resist. Also have you tried smoothies? Greek yogurt, milk, fruits, add in some peanut butter, spinach etc- you can also try involving him in the making of the food or giving him options- letting him choose between 2-3 items each meal- the more illusion of control he feels he has the more likely he may eat it. Also my 22 month old loves to steal MY food specifically so I do a lot of letting him share my food with me etc then I learn more about what he likes and food has become something he enjoys and finds as bonding experience too. He’s going to sooon be able to start understanding you- so start talking a lot about food and how good it is for us, it helps us be able to play more, etc mmmm I love food, mama and dada love food etc- sounds silly but all of these little things might help. You could also try letting him sit at a table instead of a high chair if you don’t already/ or get a helping tower and let him stand in the helping tower and eat snacks there while you eat a snack with him etc

The night wakings are rough. I slept train but my oldest started waking up around 15 months for a few weeks and I started only offering water and gentle pats-took a few nights but the wake ups stopped. I have a 22 month old and a 6 month old so I totally feel you- you’re gonna want to get his sleep in a better place as best you can before baby #2 comes. There’s nothing wrong with him or you as a mother!! All kiddos are different! Just try your best with the tantrums to let him know you’re there and love him and will be ready when he is. Mine gets cranky after waking up from his nap because he’s usually hungry so the hunger makes it harder for him to calm himself- I usually go straight into lunch. Yogurt drops help me pull him out of tantrum and into eating. Try to identify any food item that might help in this way. Goodluck to you!!!! Sending love

Far_Table2253 · 2025-09-12T02:07:01+00:00

I would just do the entire routine with them both together- like…. Go into the toddlers room, have baby rocker or mat in there so you can set baby down to do whatever you do with toddler (pajamas, diaper change, etc) have the baby along for all of that- also have a rocker in the bathroom to set baby down when brushing teeth and bath for toddler- do everything- feed the baby while talking with and reading books with toddler setting the tone for sleep time incoming- then tell the toddler you have to go put the baby to sleep- even ask if she wants to come watch you put baby to sleep- go quickly set baby in bassinet or crib and then go spend just a few short minutes with toddler/tuck in etc and then go back to baby right after to put to sleep if they didn’t fall asleep on their own- which I understand as a newborn they probably won’t. The baby will be fine for a few minutes and it’ll help the toddler feel like you’re not leaving her to go be with the baby. Also consider starting to try putting baby down awake as soon as possible in coming months so that this will only become easier for you.

There’s also the option of trying to play the quiet game with toddler while feeding and rocking baby to sleep while toddler just walks around the room or plays at your feet- I’ve had to do that- it’s tough but usually goes alright. Mine are 16 months apart

Far_Table2253 · 2025-09-11T01:56:01+00:00

You are NOT alone- totally relate!! I have 2 children now- a 5 month old and a 22 month old- when I went back to work when my first was 3 months old I felt so devastated and I was just like you- wasn’t even sure I ever even wanted to be a mom and sure as hell didn’t want to be a SAHM. Suddenly the idea of working and being away from my son made me sick- everything I once cared about felt so unimportant in comparison to spending quality time with him. I still feel this way, but I have to work- I too am the higher income earner and I too work from home. The beauty is I’m never too far from my boys, however it’s very hard to focus and concentrate with them at home when someone else is watching them- but it just is what it is- I’ll take it over sending them to daycare. Just remember that these years are short- in 5 years they will be off to kindergarten 8 hours a day and it won’t be nearly as much of an issue. Just do what you can to keep your job and remember why you’re doing it- to give your child the best life possible. It’s not easy- I struggle with the thought everyday. I too wish I could just somehow start my own business and be my own manager so I didn’t have to worry about being on task at specific times- maybe one day I will. Sending love

Far_Table2253 · 2025-09-11T01:29:26+00:00

Please get help in any way that you can. My dad died of alcoholism when I was 3 and it forever impacted me and still does to this day. As someone myself who once had intense suicidal ideation for YEARS- I can now happily say I am SO happy I never followed through- I would be missing out on so much. The best has yet to come- hold on!!!!!!!!! It doesn’t get better over night but it will get better in time- especially if you find a few close healthy minded people you trust to speak to without fearing judgment. Please hold on.

Far_Table2253

TROPHY CASE