Things I did differently from baby #1 to baby #2

A lot of people say that you are more relaxed when baby #2 comes around. In my case I was more relaxed in some ways and more stressed in others. Since Pen is now almost 14 months, I decided to take a look back at what I did differently with baby #2 versus baby #1.

1. I bought a bassinet - For my first baby I thought it was a waste of money.  Why buy a bassinet that is only good for 3 months when you can get a crib that is good for 2 or so years?  While that sounded logical, baby #1 refused to sleep in the crib.  My theory is this was because the crib was too big and did not make baby #1 feel secure.  She ended up in our bed the whole time.  For baby #2 we bought a bassinet.  Baby #2 slept a lot more in the smaller bassinet - although she did spend some time in our bed as well.  Getting baby #2 in bassinet early on did help pave the way for her to sleep in her pack and play later on.
2. I used that Angel Care breathing monitor - I did not think I would be one of those mothers who would just stare frantically at their baby, watching baby breathe.  Well, I certainly lost plenty of sleep doing this with baby #1.  For #2 we used Angel Care and it was awesome!  Angel Care monitored #2's breathing for me and I could sleep more soundly.  We did have a few false alarms but otherwise the device was worth every penny.
3. I did not bother focusing as much about my baby's development compared to written standards- With baby #1 I was always reading about what milestones baby baby should be making on any given week.  With #2 I did not have any time to read and honestly, I did not worry.  They don't hand out medals to babies who walk or talk earlier.  I let baby #2 develop at her own pace.  I also did not focus as much on the height and weight growth charts.  Baby #1 was always bouncing all over those charts.  With baby #2, I only worried if the doctor told me to worry.
4. I got out of the house more - Baby #1 turned my life upside down.  I became a hermit.  My friends hardly ever saw me.  With baby #2 I reclaimed my life - albeit a new life.  Now my weekends are full of adventures to new parks and playgrounds.  I see my friends a lot more often (mostly as part of playdate arrangements).  I've made new mom friends.  I also put a priority on date night.  We go out at least once a month and preferably twice a month.  All of these things make a huge difference in actually enjoying being a parent of young children.
5. I bought a Minivan - I used to have a really cool car.  Unfortunately the cool car was a total pain to get kids in and out of.  The minivan makes my life easier in so many ways.  I can toss in a double stroller without even folding it!  Strapping kids in is so much easier.  I'll always miss my cool car, but I have embraced my big fat ugly green minivan!
6. I used the new pouch food stuff - This stuff was not around for baby #1.  It is amazing how many things change in just a few years.  The pouch food was more portable and baby #2 could literally suck it right out of the pouch.  
7. I kept baby rear facing for longer in a car seat - With baby #1 the law was rear facing until 1 year old.  A bunch of studies showed that babies fare much better when in an accident if they were rear facing.  With baby #2 we still have her rear facing (now in a somewhat awkward convertible car seat). 

The biggest thing I did differently was learn to manage two children instead of one.  The details of that are worthy of another post.