So what's it like having 2 kids 13 months apart?

This is the question I get from a lot of people lately, work colleges, mums from mothers group, family members, friends and strangers. My answer is always the same, “some days it's hard, and some days it's easy”. That's the truth. And actually it would be more accurate to say some minutes are hard and some are easy, because a day can go from hard to easy (or easy to hard) in a mater of seconds.

My theory is that all age gaps will have different pros and cons.

At this age gap, the cons are: 

• the first few weeks/months are going to be hard because I have 2 kids to care for (but this is probably true at all age gaps because of the sleep deprivation)
• Effectively I have 2 babies at different development levels - For example, i cant just put the 2 babies on a mat on the floor and watch them goo at each other because I have a toddler who doesn't understand that he should be gentle to the baby (as I have learnt time and time again)
• Samuel is only just starting to walk, which has meant that my arms have literally been full. This has meant leaving the house can be a heavy workout for me trying to carry the 2 kiddies at once (and has proven to be quite stressful)
• There were some issues because the boys overlapped in a few things - such as milk bottles, sleeping arrangements etc 

The pros are:

• I haven't forgotten what it is like to have a newborn and I remember that it doesn’t last forever - i've adapted to the newborn phase a lot better this time around
• I think that in a years time, or 2 years time, it will get easier. My boys will hopefully play together and entertain each other
• Samuel hasn't gotten jealous (yet). And I am hoping that he won't be. I think he is too young to remember what it was like before Sebastian joined our family, so he won't struggle with Sebastian staying like some older kids might. 

In my opinion the 'pros' far outweigh the 'cons'. I wouldn't change a thing if I was given the opportunity. I honestly can't wait to watch these boys grow up together.