I never thought I’d say this, but here we are: pregnant again, with a toddler attached to my leg, and somehow expected to function like a normal human being. If you’re in the thick of “2 under 2” prep too, I see you. This post is the start of a new chapter here on Harper and Home — I’m shifting to share more of our motherhood journey alongside the garden and canning content you already know me for, and this pregnancy felt like the perfect place to start.
Table of Contents
Why the Shift
Harper and Home has always been about the things I care about most — and lately, that’s been less about seed catalogs and more about sleep schedules, gear lists, and how on earth I’m going to manage two under two. I want this space to grow with me, and right now that means talking honestly about pregnancy, toddlerhood, and getting ready to double the chaos.
The Mental Prep
If I’m honest, the mental prep this time around looks nothing like it did with my first. Back then, I had months of quiet nesting, endless research rabbit holes, and all the time in the world to worry. This time, most of my “thinking about the baby” happens in five-minute windows — during nap time, in the car, or while I’m half-listening to a toddler narrate their snack.
What’s helped most is lowering the bar for what “ready” needs to look like. I’m learning to trust that I did this once already, and my body and brain remember more than I give them credit for.
The Physical and Logistical Prep
This time, I’m trying to be more intentional about what we actually need versus what we think we need. A few things I’m prioritizing before baby arrives:
- Pulling out and sorting hand-me-downs from my toddler’s newborn stage
- Setting up a simple, low-maintenance nursery corner rather than a full room overhaul- check out my Top Must-Have Baby Items for 2 Under 2
- Stocking up on a few key items early, since I know I won’t want to shop with a newborn and a toddler in tow
- Prepping freezer meals ahead of time – check out my favorite recipes for this, The Ultimate Guide to Freezer Meal Prep for Busy Moms (canning and garden skills finally coming in handy for something new)
Managing a Toddler During Pregnancy
This has honestly been the hardest part. Growing a human is tiring enough — doing it while chasing a toddler who has zero concept of “mommy needs five minutes” is a different kind of exhausted. A few things that are saving me:
- Leaning into lower-energy activities during my most tired stretches
- Involving my toddler in “getting ready for baby” tasks so it feels like their project too
- Letting go of guilt on the days the TV is on longer than I’d like
What I’m Doing Differently This Time
With my first, postpartum caught me off guard in a lot of ways. This time, I’m trying to set up systems in advance instead of scrambling after baby arrives — things like meal prep, a loose daily rhythm for my toddler, and asking for help earlier instead of waiting until I’m underwater.
A Little Vulnerability
If I’m being fully honest, I’m nervous. I don’t know how I’m going to split my attention, whether my toddler will feel the shift, or how I’ll function on newborn sleep while also toddler-proofing every room. But I’m also excited — for the sibling bond, for watching my toddler become a big sibling, and for this next season of our family.
Follow Along
I’ll be sharing more of this journey here — from best baby item picks to real, unfiltered “day in the life with 2 under 2” posts once baby arrives. If you’re in a similar season, or gearing up for your own 2 under 2, I’d love for you to follow along.
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