So... I have been thinking lately that this whole full time working mama thing is really hard!
Disclaimer: If you are reading this and have multiple children, I know that I have no idea what hard is and you are probably laughing at me right now.
Disclaimer #2: Some of my very best friends are stay at home mamas and I think that is probably the HARDEST job anyone could ever have! I am not brave enough to do it and each of them are my heroes for doing what they do on a daily basis. I get a taste of being a stay at home mama in the summers and I am just as tired or more tired than I am right now. With all of that being said, I wanted to try and document what a "typical day" looks like for me. Any mom can tell you that no day is typical but I will try as best as possible to stick to some of the consistent patterns that occur from the time I wake up until the time I crawl into bed! I don't want this to be a "complaining" post but I want to document the craziness because I know it will be harder with more than one kid and I know I will look back on this time in my life and miss the time I had with Zander as a toddler. I don't want to forget these moments...no matter how great, how hectic or how overwhelming some of those moments are...... so here it goes...
5:00-6:00: Wake up and get ALL THE WAY ready! This is an important detail because Zander is no longer at the age where he will stay in one place while I am getting ready. He is into everything and it is impossible to "baby proof" every inch of our house. I feel like Zander sometimes hears the word "no" more than anything else. Simply, it is just easier to have a little "me" time before trying to juggle multiple activities. During this hour, I will also do my quiet time, pack up lunches, fold clothes or unload the dishwasher--whatever I started the night before), get Burke's food out, and get Zander's breakfast ready so that when he wakes up and immediately points to go downstairs and says "more-ne"... his new word for "more please", I have everything ready for him. This hour goes by REALLY fast! I used to pump during this time when I was nursing the first year..... I don't know how I fit that in.... although I was a good multi-tasker with the pump. Zack usually leaves for work before Zander wakes up.... another reason that everything needs to be done if it involves mommy getting ready. ;)
6:00-7:00: Wake up Zander..... which these days means Zander lets me know he is up.... he will call "mommy" from his room.... sometimes before I have finished getting ready or finished my morning to do list.... darn it! He starts with a simple "mommy".... if I don't come soon it turns into a cry for "mommy" with the word mommy being stretched into as many syllables as possible! He used to never do this! It is new, and I am trying to train him to stop! Sometimes he will go back to sleep for a few minutes but most times since it is so close to his normal wake up call, I will just go get him. We go eat breakfast. I try to eat at the same time he does..... big mistake! He is finished and wants to be on my lap and help me eat my food. This morning he started crying since I wasn't finished eating and didn't pick him up. After I finished eating, I picked him up but he was already upset. So... he laid on my shoulder.... best feeling ever.... after he calmed down..... I realize I have snot all over my shirt.... and don't have time or a plan for how to change clothes.... remember... I already took all the time I could to get ready! ;) We read a couple books, I get Zander changed into his clothes for the day, and we brush teeth (his teeth....not mine.... I had to do that earlier during the "me" time or he would be in all my drawers and under my feet and wanting "up"). Now at this point, I know you are thinking.... just teach him that he can't be held during mealtime and he can't be held when you are brushing your teeth..... but when there are only a few hours you get to see your kid every day.... you hold him every time he asks).
7:00-7:30: Leave the house, drop Zander off at "school" and arrive at work by 7:30. A couple days a week I have to be at work early (i.e. 7:00 a.m. so the schedule is pushed back 1/2 hour... that's right.... the alarm goes off at 4:30...and I may hit snooze!) Zander loves walking into school by himself these days. That takes a few extra minutes. I absolutely love our car ride to school and from school. We listen to K Love and he dances to the songs or tries to have a conversation with me. He is stationary in his car seat so there isn't the stress of trying to dress a wiggly toddler or get him to clean up his toys. It seems calm and I love it! He points to things outside and tries to communicate what he is looking at. Since he has approximately 12 words in his vocabulary... I have no idea what he is saying but it is still nice.
7:30-4:30: Work......basically I don't have a fixed schedule each day so you would think that means I get to eat lunch when I want and go the bathroom when I want.... things that don't happen at home.... think again....;) Sometimes I realize I didn't go to the restroom all day and lunch is typically scarfed down in between meetings, testing, or lessons with students. At about 2:00, I really start missing Zander. I wish I could leave early to go get him.... but there is always one more thing that needs to get done before I head that way.
4:30-5:30: Leave to go pick up Zander. My favorite part of the day is when I walk into his room and he runs up to me (yes it is a run at this point) and says "Mommy!" He gives me a big hug and I forget about the craziness of my day at work.... honestly... its like none of it even happened! We head home to let Burke out and start making dinner.
5:30-6:00: Finish preparing dinner and eat dinner. Zack usually gets home around this time.... when the food is already prepared, and we are sitting down to eat. The preparation part is tricky because Zander doesn't want to play with ANY of the toys he has. He would rather be in the kitchen with our pots and pans, etc. We have started putting childproof locks on things and it is amazing how he still finds the drawers that have not been childproofed! I am constantly stepping over Zander, Burke or items that Zander or Burke have brought into the kitchen. When we are ready to eat, I sit down..... so excited that most of the "work" of the day is over. Zander doesn't like what we are eating that night... he is fussy.... I try to eat through the commotion..... its hard not to take it personal after I have just worked hard to fix a balanced meal for my family. Zander eats a couple bites, and he is done. He would rather play than eat. Dinner is over.
6:00-7:30: Play time before bedtime. We get out the toys from the toy box. We put together puzzles, we stack blocks, and throw a ball. This time is the most fun but I find myself thinking about the kitchen that needs cleaned up, sandwiches that need to be made for tomorrow, a couple things I forgot to do at work, etc. Some nights we have a dance party in the living room. We turn on some music and the four of us (Daddy, mommy, Zander and Burke) just dance for awhile. I usually have Zander in my arms and Zack picks up Burke. It is one of my absolute favorite things to do! We forget about everything and just dance! Sometimes we cuddle on the couch for a few minutes. Then, daddy will take Zander to get a bath, and I will start tackling the kitchen. When bath time is almost over, I come upstairs and help with bedtime. We get on pajamas, read a couple books, say bedtime prayers and sing a couple songs. Zander loves holding both our hands when we pray before bed. He also likes for both of us to read books. He will hand a book to whoever is supposed to read that particular story.
7:30: Finish the evening "chores" and get ready for bed. I am usually asleep by nine! I love getting my sleep! Zack and I watch a little t.v. and usually drift off to sleep in the 9:00 o'clock hour.
This was an extremely long post...its more for my memory than a "rant" of what happens in a given day. I have wanted to be a mom for many years, and I don't second guess the decision we made to be parents. I love our family and the moments we have together. Its just hard work. I hope that anyone reading this who is a parent will be encouraged that you are not alone! I appreciate any mother or father that has gone through the early years with their child (I don't have a clue what happens past 21 months!). I appreciate our parents and grandparents for having the patience and desire to have children themselves..... that is how we are here today! And now if you will excuse me... it is past my bedtime! ;)
P.S. There are times when I "treat" myself and we go out to eat so I don't have to face the "failure" of cooking another meal Zander doesn't like. We meet friends or family for dinner, and I always order Zander food that I know he loves. Tonight, it was mac-n-cheese. He ate it all and even tried to lick the bowl clean since he wanted "more-ne" (more please) and there was no more to offer..... he could have had some of my dinner..... but I got a big "no" on that one! ;)
