A Day in the Life

I've been asked by a few people what my average day looks like. Well, each and every day is a bit different, but I'll try to paint a general picture.

5:15 am -this seems to be the baby's most common wake up time. Breastfeed, change diaper. Listen for toddler. If awake, skip to the next step and try again the next day for a shower. If not awake yet or just starting to stir, strap baby into bouncy chair and jump in the shower for a most glorious 5 min where I can imagine myself on a tropical beach somewhere. Oh, baby is slumping and tiring of the chair, so quickly dry off and get dressed.

6:00 -toddler is most probably wide awake now. Pop the baby into the sling and go to get the toddler out of her crib. Change the toddler's diaper. Baby may also need another change by now too. Climb the stairs with the baby in the sling and toddler holding one hand.

6:15 -feed the hungry toddler breakfast. The baby is starting to fuss at the same time because he's been wake an hour and is tired and ready for a nap. Swaddle, and rock the baby while retrieving the dropped soother a dozen times to coax a nap while shovelling some cold toast and lukewarm tea down myself.

7:00 -poop hour begins. Toddler grunts and announces "big poop" while I'm changing the baby for the third consecutive time and tossing the change pad cover and my own shirt in the laundry from a newborn poop explosion during one of the changes. Select something for toddler to wear that doesn't clash too badly but doesn't involve a group trek downstairs. Baby needs to nurse again.

8am -everyone is dressed and fed. Almost time for baby to be sleepy again. Swaddle, rock, and fetch soother again while toddler plays.

8:30 -Baby is asleep, so pack bags up and get ready for the day's outing. Make sure the diaper bag has two spare diapers and changes of clothes for the baby and one for the toddler.

9:00 -toddler is hungry for a snack. Feed her something not too messy. Baby wakes and is hungry too.

9:45 -everyone is fed and if we need to make an outing, now is the time. Pop baby in the sling again and wrestle toddler into shoes and a sweater. Pack both out to the car. Buckle toddler into car seat. Buckle baby into car seat. Fold stroller and put it in the trunk along with the giant diaper bag. Turn ignition onto accessory and let the children's CD play. Now, my favourite part -run back into the house myself and use the toilet uninterrupted!

10:00 -we are on the road. Arrive at destination and repeat the stroller/toddler/baby unloading process in exactly the reverse of the loading.

10:30 -enjoy whatever outing we are doing. Baby naps in the stroller or sling while I chase toddler.

11:15 -toddler begins to rub eyes and become silly and clumsy. Time to go home. Pack everyone back into the car. Both cry on the way home either alternating or in unison.

11:30 -arrive home. Toddler gets a quick bite of lunch while I change and soothe baby. Change both diapers.

12:00 -nap time. If I'm extremely lucky they both sleep at the same time and I get a snooze or some time to myself. Otherwise I get some 1:1 time with baby while toddler is in her crib.sometimes it takes a while and a few drop ins from me for her to fall asleep. She typically naps for 1-1.5 hours.

2:00 -toddler wakes up. She gets a cup of milk and a snack, and another diaper change.

2:30-4:30 this is the best window of time to get outside for a walk and play at the playground if it's nice. Baby sleeps well in the fresh air while toddler burns off some energy. Return home and change diapers again.

5:00 - dinner time for toddler. Baby is fussy and wants to cluster feed. Mommy juggles both.

5:30 -bath time for toddler. Baby may still be cluster feeding or want to be held so ring sling to the rescue again.

5:50 - PJ's and story for toddler.

6:00 -toddler is in her crib and getting herself off to sleep for the night. Make dinner for the adults, tidy up toys, start evening laundry loads (1diaper, 1other)

7:00-baby's sponge bath or full bath, change diaper and sleeper.

7:30 -baby is usually ready for his longest stretch of sleep now (4 hours). Time to myself, or to spend as a couple between changing laundry over and tidying up the house.

9:30 - bed time for me.

11:30, 2:00, 4:00 -wake for feedings, hope he doesn't poop as well and need to be changed and soothed back to sleep.

Rinse, lather, and REPEAT the next day.