I feel these days slipping by so fast. Wasn’t it just two days ago that the boys were mushy tummy timers and now they are standing on their own and attempting first steps?! WHAT?! This Day in the Life series is an effort to capture these mundane and meaningful moments. I may even try to back track in the earlier days. We’ll see. :)
Right now we have two types of days. Home days and Work Days. I have three Home days a week and two Work days. (Dusty, opposite.) Here’s what our typical Home day looks like:
Morning
Our mornings begin around 7 or 8. I rarely set an alarm anymore. We’ve got two alarm clocks that vary the intensity of wake ups based on a multitude of factors. They are fully automated and don’t even require batteries! We store them in a separate room, but they tend to request travel from crib to bed to crib in the night.
Our mornings are slow. Slow. Dusty will get ready for work while the boys and I watch the “Garden Ladies.” (Garden Answer and Roots and Refuge on YouTube.) I’ll sip my coffee, nurse them and we’ll eat some sort of breakfast in the living room. (I used to try to do breakfast at the table, but I just can’t.) Were really into oatmeal, yogurt, cheese grits, and rice chex right now.
Day
After Dusty heads to work, I’ll usually try to muster up some *activity.* The only thing we’re really missing right now is our library time. All other regular activities were unaffected by Coronavirus. Which should tell you a lot. Our morning activity might be a walk with a friend, a trip to the grocery store, playing outside, visiting my parents, etc.
Lunch is around 11:30 and we eat this meal at the table. I used to feed them and then eat after, but now it is way easier to all eat together. They are such diverse eaters and I don’t have to craft special meals for them anymore. Partly because they can do many different textures and foods. Partly because we’ve probably unconsciously adjusted our own menu to better accommodate little eaters. Lunch and dinner follow a basic recipe of meat/protein, veggie, carb and fruit. This is groundbreaking information for some, but it’s how I was taught to cook/assemble meals as a kid. (Thanks Mom and Dad!) Half of this usually comes from leftovers and it’s pretty easy to throw together. They don’t always eat everything, but I like to offer it. Eventually they will try it, or move it around their plate. Then they may even, gasp, take a bite. (I’m looking at YOU T WITH THE BLUEBERRIES.) Part of meal time is just exposure to different foods and flavors. I trust that they know what they need, but also accept that I have a responsibility to provide a variety of mostly fresh and nutrient rich foods. I try not to be too offended when food gets tossed, smushed, wasted, etc. A strong reaction tends to just spur them on. And I thank God every day for our dog and fearless floor surveyor. He keeps our dining room floors pretty clean, though he won’t eat blueberries. :/ After lunch we play for a bit and nurse again before naps. We’ve successfully gotten to one longer nap a day. I really enjoy having a longer stretch of time “to myself.” I usually work during this two hour stretch, but sometimes I will catch up on chores around the house or do a bit of gardening.
Evening
After naps, we will hang out around the house, though sometimes we will go out or hang with my sister. We have a snack like peas, goldfish, crackers, etc. I use this time to relax because I have no energy. I’ll put on some kid TV and we will play. I can get caught up in the to-do list and forget to play. Like really, really play - get down on the ground and just interact with no motive other than to make a lot of eye contact and be silly. It seems simple and easy to remember, but for me it’s not. There’s always a list of laundry, dishes, work emails, drawings, etc, vying for attention in the back of my brain. Dinner happens around 6:30 and who ever is Home for the day is in charge of dinner. (Even if it’s just making the call that we’re going to pick up Chic-Fil-A. No complaints here. Never. None.) The dinner making is a good break from kids and lets the other spouse get some quality time. Dinner and baths and bed are a whirlwind. Dusty and I are both so tired at this point in the day, and so are the kids. Still there are pockets of joy: sitting next to Dusty at dinner and resting my head on his shoulder, splashes in the tub, cute rainbow pj’s and post tub crazy hair. Toothbrushes are dispensed, books read, toys cleaned up, and lately (because molars) we might give them some Motrin. We take them to bed one at a time and rock them for a little bit before setting them down in their beds. Dad takes one, then mom takes the other, or vice versa. This time is sweet and they smell so good, but it can also be frustrating if they fight going down despite being so tired. I hope to remember it as just being sweet. :)
Night
After the babies are down, Dusty and I clean up the kitchen and make coffee for the next day. We will make tea and have dessert. There was a phase were I LIVED for this time. We would eat Costco chocolate chip cookies warmed up in the air fryer and drink a glass of milk. I’m not proud of the health implications of this habit, but you gotta do what you gotta do. It was our time to be together and we’d quietly just be in each other’s presence. I looked forward to this time all day. We either totally veg out with TV or Fall Guys (so fun), but more and more lately we use the hour to work on personal projects or projects for work if the deadline is pressing. Theo is sleeping through the night with more regularity. (YAY!) Arty is still up once or twice a night. (Okay!) It’s so unpredictable, so I try to tuck in and read around 10, not later than 11.
Then we wake up to babies chirping or fussing at us and do it all again. If it’s one of my Work days, just sub out the activity times for me working while Dusty plays with them. :)