Day in the Life

Whoever it was that warned me that adjusting to having 2 kids might be difficult was right. It has taken me a while. But I finally feel like I have a routine that is working for all 4 of us.  Since being back from the east coast, I have worked hard at keeping a good rhythm in our days and week, both for the kids and myself. One thing I realized while we were gone is that whatever routine I had fallen into after the baby was born was not working. I was always tired, cranky and feeling like I was just barely getting by. Our house was a disaster most days of the week, we were eating meals with a lot of cheese, so we all felt gross too. Oh, and I was really really sick of my dog, which was sad and frustrating. I love love love having 2 kids, but man, I needed my days to not be so exhausting.


Being at my parents house gave me time to just step back and think about what was and wasn't working. I made lists of things I wanted to do. And when I got back to Cali, I was really pleased that a lot of it worked. I finally figured out a time that worked to walk my poor neglected dog. I have been using Flylady's ideas to keep my house in order. Honoring my own bedtime as much as I can and eating a lot better food. And its been wonderful.


Everyday is basically the same, just with slight variations, here is an example:


Wakeup is usually around 7am.
Diapers are changed, banana eaten or at least grabbed and everyone is loaded into the stroller.
We take about a 40 minute walk with the dog. (this is the best change, so many benefits)
We eat breakfast around 8 or 8:30, then the baby takes his first nap.
I clean up the kitchen, pack Tom's or all of our lunches, and get ready. (Tom leaves between 9:30 & 10)
When the baby gets up, we typically have something planned, so I dress the kids and we head out. (church, the park, grocery shopping, etc)
I have been doing a lot of picnic lunches at parks recently and it works great for wearing out the toddler before naptime.
Then we go home for naps at 1pm. Ahhh.
I almost always snag a 20-30 minute nap and then do things I can't with the kids awake (email, meal plan, etc). Oh, and drink an iced coffee. My midday treat. :)
Uri gets up around 3pm and we play and he snacks while I get something done in the kitchen.
Josie gets up between 3:30 and 4pm.
If she went down well for her nap, we have a tea party in the backyard and then play out there for a bit.
The baby goes back down around 5pm, I prep dinner, and Josie plays or does some sort of project.
6pm the baby is up, dinner is usually set and we hangout and play until Daddy gets home around 6:30-7pm.
Then its dinner, bath, and bedtime is 8pm.
I finish cleaning up dinner, run a load of laundry if needed (but when is it not?) and then hang out with my hubby.
Shower, chill out, bedtime is 10:30pm.
The baby still nurses around 12ish and then again at 4am (although sometimes he skips the first one).
7am we begin again :)


Hmmmm. I just realized this post is pretty long, sorry.


Here are some pics:

Jammies are perfect early morning stroller attire. Note Josie's amazing bedhead. :) 

Josie and Uri, "Riding in a car." Josie even has her purse over her shoulder. 16 years from now I will have to take a similar shot. :D

We have since lowered the mattress in the crib. 

Tea time!

Grammie and Grampy came to visit!

We absolutely love visitors. Anyone willing to get up at 7 and entertain one or both of my children while I tackle the morning Must-Dos-To- Survive is welcome here. Haha.


Last week...wait, two weeks ago? Tom's Mom and Marty, aka, Grammie and Grampy came for a week. We had a great time. We usually did some sort of outing in the morning between Uri's morning nap and everyone's afternoon nap, then sort of chilled out and played in the yard in the afternoon. Then in the evenings we adults would either sit around a fire in the backyard, Tom and Mom and Marty would watch Battlestar Glactica (while I went to bed) or both. (I would have watched it, but I've already seen it, loved it, and need sleep more than seeing it twice, heh.)


Here are some highlights/pictures:

 Sidewalk chalk! 

Beach! (this boy loves sand)

 Orange County Zoo, brushing cute goats.

Playing in the sand again after eating brunch at the Beachcomber. Yum.
If you haven't visited us, you need to. And we will take you there. 

Surrey ride at Irvine Park. I will have to get the picture of Uri in a helmet from Tom. You will fall over and die of cuteness. Until then, how adorable is Josie in this pic? I can't stand it. My kids in helmets just kill me. 

Edited to add: