Saturday, July 10, 2010

A Normal Day with Two Littles


I was actually thinking about this blog yesterday, but didn't get a chance to post until today. A few fellow mom friends on Facebook posted an article about why moms have no time -- after this following experience. Maybe this will shed a little light for those of you without children.

Yesterday I took the kids to the farm -- first time for Hayden. We had a good time and Addie was well behaved. I was just reflecting on how much work it was to get out the door:

Lull in and out of sleep for an hour or so while baby grunts and moans. Force self awake at 7am. Change and feed baby. Attempt to get him back to sleep and fall asleep myself. Get woken up by the toddler saying "Mama" in my face. Beg her for a few more minutes of sleep. Turn on cartoons in an attempt to buy those few minutes (which I get!). Finally drag myself up at 8:30am (after being woken up at regular intervals by the toddler) -- thankfully baby is sleeping. Take the toddler on a tour of the kitchen to attempt to find something she'll eat for breakfast. She settles on tuna casserole (hey, it's better than candy). Get her fed, feed the dogs, pump (trying to build up a little bit of stash), and feed myself. Continue to answer toddler's question ("Go?") every 5 minutes. Allow her to empty my purse to buy me a few minutes so I can get dressed and make myself presentable. Make sure everything is packed for the outing: diapers (for 2), wetbag, wipes, extra outfits, sunscreen, swimsuit, swim diaper, extra shoes, binkies, blankets, snacks, water. Wonder what I am forgetting. Make sure toddler is just destroying the house, but not in harm's way. Baby wakes up, so change and feed him. Continue answering toddler's question (still "Go?"). Get toddler changed and dressed and attempt to do the rat's nest that is her hair. Hear baby poop himself. Change him and feed him again (he always thinks he's hungry after a poo). Get baby in carseat. Attempt to slightly tidy up the mess made by the toddler. Lock down house for dogs (shut all doors, make sure their door is open, make sure they have water, put up safety gate, make sure there is nothing harmful or sentimental that can be chewed). Look all over for toddler's tiger toy (she's asking for it), but have no luck. Convince her the bunny bank will do. Attempt to get everything loaded in the van: giant diaper/stuff bag, baby, and toddler. Finally pull out of the driveway an hour after intended. All this and it's only 10am!

My non-kid friends: This would be why we can rarely call to chat (and be able to hear without a child yelling in the background) -- when we do have a spare moment we often enjoy it alone with peace and quiet! :)

Some pics of the littles together . . .


Yes, I actually get them to sleep at the same time (sometimes).
She makes it look so tiring to be a big sis. :) She LOVES to give him his binkie (often when he doesn't want it).