What do you do with your toddler while getting the baby to sleep?

[Ginger]

does your dd2 fall asleep in the pram?
sometimes i used to put them both in my double pram, go for a walk along a bumpy road to get ds2 to sleep. then stop and park the pram at a playground and leave ds2 asleep (in the shade) while i played with ds1 on the playground.

[AndiE]

My DS1 was 21 months when DS2 was born - I had a portacot set up downstairs (in our living area - all bedrooms are in upper storey) and used to put DS2 to sleep there. Fortunately he slept very easily and for long stretches and DS1 was young enough that he didn't make too much noise etc when DS2 was asleep.
DS2 started having day naps upstairs when DS1 was about the same age your DD1 is now - by that time I could leave DS1 in front of the tv with something to nibble while I was upstairs. Alternatively he seemed to be able to amuse himself for the five or so mins it took to get DS2 down for his nap. I also tried to time their sleeps in the afternoon - putting DS1 to bed first, then DS2 immediately afterwards.

I should add that DS2 has always settled to sleep easily and slept for long stretches. Luck of the draw, but it did help in those early days.
Don't feel guilty about DD1 amusing herself - I actually think it's a good thing if they can keep themselves amused for short periods, and it sounds like you're doing your best to spend time with her.
All the best.

[SammyRo]

When DS was little, I used to use the fitball too, but I moved it into the living area, so settled DS while talking to DD and then moved him to the bedroom once he was asleep.
What about stickers? I bought a whole heap from a cheap shop and a plain scrapbook pad, and DD would be happy sticking them down. Or something that they can sit at a table doing, so playdough, crayons, etc. I would often use the HAB too during the day for long sleeps, and so I'd take DD into the garden to run around, or if it was raining, we would walk up and down our hallway, which was very long, and I'd get DD to do big steps, little steps, side steps, backwards etc. That would entertain her for ages and DS liked the motion.
As DS got older, he became really hard to settle at night, and if DH wasn't home to help, I would often put a movie on for DD otherwise she would keep coming into DS's room and distract him.