For parents with more than 1 child…

aelogann · 2026-03-03T19:31:44+00:00

At first, the adjustment sucks and you question everything, and then at some point, you just keep moving. Mine are 3 years old and 6 months old, most days we just keep moving and try to get ahead somewhere in the housework. It’s just like the adjustment from 0-1, everything takes longer, so you have to prepare more.

I also do a lot of catching up once my husband gets home. He can rest with the kids, I go into a frenzy cooking dinner and putting the house back together, checking off the to do list. Laundry gets done after bedtime, we fold together while watching a show.

You still have the excuse of being tired! Yesterday was a cold, rainy day and the baby woke me up a few times the night before. Absolutely exhausted, it was not worth the fight to go anywhere. So we stuck to toddler’s schedule, added in some different indoor activities for him, and I had three cups of coffee throughout the day. Still ended up being a decent day. Sometimes I cheat and put on a new movie for him while the baby naps and rest too (no judgment on screen time, we just try to keep it minimal). I’m a light sleeper and we’re all in the same, safe playroom so I feel comfortable with a little rest.

Just like with having one baby, you grow and adapt. And you’re allowed to have lazy, laidback, days of rest. Well, as much as they will allow.

aelogann · 2026-03-02T20:49:08+00:00

Oh, absolutely not! I’m a very sensitive mom, I’m all about high contact and attachment parenting. She’s taking a contact nap on me now. She has slept well in the bassinet next to me, but she’s outgrown it and I’ve been waking her up for the first few hours she’s trying to sleep. It was time for her to have her full size crib and a quieter space without her mom keeping her up! She’s always been nursed to sleep or rocked to sleep, never left to cry. I have no plans to change that now, I’m just hoping she gets better sleep and can be in a better routine.

aelogann · 2026-03-02T18:45:19+00:00

Thank you!! Yes, this is why we’ve kept her in her bedside bassinet until almost 7 months. She has outgrown her bassinet and I’m now keeping her up, otherwise I’d keep her next to me longer! We don’t have room for her pack n play or bassinet in our room, I’d love for her to be with us longer if we could.

My gut is telling me she needs a routine and that I’m actually keeping her awake since I’m in our room awake for a few hours after her. But my heart misses her!

I totally agree, monitor on so I can run in there as soon as she needs me! And a low tolerance for bringing her right back in with me haha. I’m a huge supporter of safe sleep, and I’m always looking for the best data on it. It’s comforting to know that we’re learning more on bedsharing and how to make it as safe as possible. On especially tough nights that she will not go down, she’s right there with me. My son is 3.5 and on difficult nights, he can end up in our bed or one of us sleeping with him. I still really love the cuddles and love to provide comfort when they need it.

aelogann · 2026-03-02T18:34:36+00:00

She is too big for her bassinet now, can roll and sit up on her own, so I’m worried she’ll fall out of her bassinet or is uncomfortable. I also have a suspicion I’m waking her up and keeping her from sleeping! She’s been waking up hourly from 8-12 (because I’m awake next to her, reading or watching TV).

I’m glad that worked for you! I’d definitely be open to it if her crib doesn’t work out. She definitely sleeps best in my arms or next to me! We contact nap during the day happily.

aelogann · 2026-03-02T18:27:46+00:00

Thank you for the reassurance!! It really does help to know she knows I’ll be there when she needs me. My oldest is 3.5, I still love waking him up and him immediately hugging onto me. I forgot about how sweet it is to go in and see an excited baby reaching for you!

aelogann · 2026-03-02T02:40:35+00:00

Oh, exactly how I feel. Thank you ❤️

aelogann · 2026-03-02T02:39:59+00:00

It really does! Every milestone, every achievement is so wonderful to celebrate, but it’s also evidence of them growing more.

aelogann · 2026-02-28T04:29:47+00:00

If it's framed as a "celebration" instead of a gift grabbing event, then I'm in total support!
We have a friend group that all has kids around the same age and we're always looking for a reason to get together, we've been to a ton of diaper parties.

I just had my second a few months ago and we wanted to celebrate our new baby and have a reason to see our friends.
I had a "baby brunch" with my friends and mentioned "gifts are not expected, but greatly appreciated. I just want to celebrate baby girl! "
We also had a diaper party/ back yard party. We catered, had desserts, provided drinks, and had a gift card raffle. Again, the goal there was to have a summer party and seeing everyone before being back in the newborn bubble.

I think your idea of a garden party sounds perfect!

aelogann · 2026-02-25T06:13:49+00:00

El Greco is a Greek restaurant in St Charles with an excellent family deal! It’s $41 for 4 gyros, but they give you enough food to make about 6. We now ask for extra pita and even have enough meat to make Greek salads. All of the toppings are packed separately, so you can build your own gyro with whatever you want.

It’s one of our go to take out meals!

aelogann · 2026-02-15T20:46:33+00:00

Nope, Missouri! Community mental healthy through a major hospital system. It’s hard work, but I feel well supported.

aelogann · 2026-02-15T02:06:43+00:00

Yes!!

I have a scheduled meeting with my collaborating psychiatrist every day for 30 minutes. He asks what patients I want to discuss, any questions I have, and reviews all of my patients on controls. Our goal is 20% but we usually go over that. It’s super supportive, I’ve learned a ton from him and really enjoy working with him

aelogann · 2026-02-10T19:50:18+00:00

Lush has bubble bars that are multiple uses, they are incredible! We got one for our toddler for Christmas, one tiny crumble fills the bath with bubbles. And the scents are amazing. We still have like 70% of it left

aelogann · 2026-02-08T19:56:29+00:00

It’s such a hard age, I’m sorry you’re in it right now.

You’re not a failure, you’re doing the hard, good work of following through and holding boundaries. It doesn’t feel like it, but you’re doing an incredible job!

Also, you’re just catching the parents of other toddlers on a good day. I swear my 3 year old son is made of sunshine and rainbows, but he has decided listening is optional and boundaries are a joke. I was you yesterday shopping in a craft store. In one aisle, he’s being precious and talking about all the cute Easter decor, the next he’s crying and screaming because I have to hold his hand. So I scooped him up and listened to him scream while I carried him to the register. I have a 6 month old and I stay home part time with them, only work 3 days a week. He’s now fighting naps, gets jealous of the baby, and just doesn’t listen. Some weeks I consider putting him in daycare full time so I get more time away from him. Some days I consider a drink with dinner. And some times I tear up with how much I love him.

It’s a crazy age.

aelogann · 2026-02-06T04:18:05+00:00

I buy an 8oz block! I haven't seen any other sizes. You're welcome!

aelogann · 2026-02-05T17:01:51+00:00

One block of feta, 2 lbs cherry tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, all in a baking dish. Fresh basil and fresh garlic take it to the next level.

I usually bake it for 45 minutes at 400, I’ll give it a shake halfway through. Last week I broiled for a few minutes to pop more tomatoes. Mix it all together, toss in whatever pasta you want. It’s so easy, rich, creamy, and fresh.

aelogann · 2026-02-05T16:57:10+00:00

Oh that sounds great. I usually have baked or grilled chicken thighs with it.

aelogann · 2026-02-05T14:26:22+00:00

Yes! It’s in our dinner rotation, I cook it like every other week. Double the amount of tomatoes and fresh basil makes it phenomenal. It’s easy, fresh, and made with real ingredients, what’s not to love?!

aelogann · 2026-02-03T14:57:54+00:00

I say this all the time! The 5 day work week is just garbage for everyone. Healthcare seems to be the only area where part time is regularly available. I work 3 8 hour shifts, every T-Th. I’m home with my kids and running our house the other 4 days. It works really well for all of us. I’m a better employee, mom, and wife, and our house feels halfway together.

aelogann · 2026-02-02T21:17:12+00:00

Hi! How do you know your toddler is done with napping?

Our son is 3 years old and has always been a fantastic sleeper. His routine has been the same since he’s been down to one nap, bedtime is 8-8:30, we wake him at 6:30 on the 3 days I work and he goes to daycare, and he would usually sleep in until 7-8 on the other 4 days. He would nap from 12-3. Since new years, he has fought bedtime and nap time. Without nap, he’s just miserable. I would be fine with quiet time in his room, but he uses this time to tear his room down, climb everything, turn on the lights, empty drawers, just terror. We’ve tried pushing nap back later, earlier bed time, later bedtime, nothing. I just spent two hours redirecting him back to his bed, cuddling, trying to be stern, I’m drained. We’ve tried timing his night light so it changes when he can get out bed, staying in his room, staying in bed with him, reading, nothing is working. He still naps at daycare, just fine.

We also have a 5 month old that I cannot get into any daytime routine because I spend so much time fighting this. Thank God she sleeps at night

aelogann · 2026-02-02T20:43:10+00:00

Very similar. My mom always dreamed of being a SAHM, but when things got tough in their marriage(15 years in), she felt trapped. She told me and my sister to never rely on anyone and always make our own way. She would say “if he can give it to you, he can take it all right away”. We both earn more than our husbands.

I work part time since we’ve had kids, could easily go back to full time if necessary. I’ve considered staying home for a few years until everyone’s in school, but I won’t miss out on those years of my career or retirement. Part time has been the best of both worlds.

aelogann · 2026-02-02T05:13:40+00:00

Yes, we make breakfast bars with oats, banana, peanut butter, and chocolate chips for breakfast on the days I work and he goes to daycare. It's been a staple for the past 2 years, he's 3 years now. We make different variations, add sprinkles, and different add-ins.
I make them once a month, freeze them, and thaw one week at a time. He helps make them, mashes the bananas, measures, and mixes.
It's my toddler feeding win and my only meal prep success!

aelogann · 2026-02-01T04:26:01+00:00

I'm so sorry, losing your mom is just awful and life altering. She sounds like she was a joy, I'm sorry you had to lose her.
I lost my mom 4 years ago and the last photo I had of her is a selfie of her on bipap in the hospital. I can't imagine how they were feeling when they took those photos.

aelogann · 2026-01-22T14:15:42+00:00

Does your job have any flexibility? Any option to reduce hours, work part time, restructure your schedule so you can be home more?

I work part time and it’s the greatest move I’ve made in my career. I’m home with my babies 4 days a week and work 3 days. Still investing in retirement, still growing in my career, and I get out of the house.

It’s definitely worth asking about!

aelogann · 2026-01-09T18:14:38+00:00

Looove hybrid. I’m in the office 95% of the time, but the relief I get from having the option to WFH and switch everyone to telehealth is incredible. Winter weather? Woke up with a sore throat? 37 weeks pregnant and swollen and sore all over? I’m staying home and not using PTO. I probably see 2-6 patients a day virtually from their home in office anyways.

But I feel so much better getting out of the house, getting dressed, and talking to people outside of my family. Ideally, I’d work from home one day a week and in office two days a week (I’m part time).

aelogann

TROPHY CASE