DH and I are talking about TTC again very soon and as excited as I am about adding to our family I am extremely nervous about it too. I am finally comfortable and somewhat confident in caring for Olivia and I am able to go out and do most of the things i want with her. Any advice on or words of wisdom from you moms of more than one ???

It was a big adjustment for us going from one to two, but going from two to three was a breeze. When we had our second LO the hardest part was splitting up our time between a toddler and a new born and adjusting to having more than one child to take care of. When our third LO was born it was very easy transitioning for everyone. To keep tantrums and crying for mommy to a minimum we included the older sibling(s) in diaper changes, feedings, bath time etc... this always has seemed to work for us. Good luck and I am sure that Olivia will make a great big sister.

It's not always easy - but it's not always hard either.
The best thing is that when you have a newborn at home they tend to sleep a lot, and this frees up time that you can devote to your older LO. Those were some of the best moments to me. Even if it was just sitting on the couch reading a book - that was their time with mommy. I also tried to make sure that I got the baby somewhat settled so I could still do bathtime and bedtime with my others.
Going from one to two was not as big of an adjustment for us as two to three was. My husband jokes that we went from man to man defense to zone defense when we became outnumbered...lol.
I agree with 3Blessings too about getting Olivia involved in diaper changes, feedings, and other things. It's also a good time to talk about when she was a baby and they things she did at the new baby's age. It may give her a stronger connection. My LO, Campbell, loves to feed her little brother Mason and ask about what she used to eat when she was his age - it's really kind of cute.
You also mentioned being able to get out and do things with Olivia and being comfortable with how she is now. One thing to think about is that you are talking about possibly a year from now having a new baby to take care of. Think about how much Olivia will grow in that time. It's hard to imagine I know - but you are concentrating on how she is now - not how she will be by the time a new baby arrives.

I agree, going from one to two was a huge adjustment for my family too. Now that Bradley is getting older it is getting way easier and you would think that it helps that my oldest is five but it doesnt, I think their age difference makes it harder. If I could go back I would have had my second when Blake was around 2ish. Having a family of four is WONDERFUL and you will have so much fun and your daughter will have so much more fun having a sibling to play with. Children are great! everytime I watch Jon and Kate plus 8 I get jealous, having that many kids would be so much fun, that is unless you needed a break!

I'm in the same boat as you, LivisMom....totally used to one and on the verge of going for #2 and scared out of my mind!

Thanks girls so much

Goodgolly- you said it perfectly, i really can't imagine what Olivia will be like as a two and a half year old. I just think about how difficult it can be to go out with her now and I think "OMG I'll never be able to leave the house once we have two".

LivisMom, I think it is different for everyone. For us, having our first was wasn't so hard, but going from one to two rocked my world (my first was 4 at the time). However, a good friend of mine whose children are almost identically spaced had the opposite experience. She and her husband had a very hard time adjusting to the first and then with the second it was a smooth transition. Further, I polled loads of people with three children before we decided to go for #3, and I was surprised by all the differing responses. Overall, people were very positive, but I did notice that the closer the babies were together, the more likely the mother was to caution me against having a third.
Anyway, that's probably a lot of useless information that still brings me to saying that everyone is different and reacts differently with each addition. But I still did what you're doing and talked to a lot of people before we finally decided to have #3.

Going from one to two was adifficult trasition. Especially since #2 came during th patty training. Ther is sibling rilvary even at very young ages. But all in all, it worth it. Yeah, when I was younger I KNOW my sister and I drive my mother crazy, but she is now my best friend. As long as you keep them in check, it will be all fine.

My 2 fight now. But my oldest still looks out for er sisiter and hte baby is very excited to see her. They play and fight. That's just kids.

As for you, try your best to keep the stress levels down.