What's a Schedule?

Since Oaks was born I have heard from so many Mom's about their schedules and routines.  After dinner the baby has a bath, massage with lotion, book time, nursing, then put to bed.  Every. Single. Night.  Well, for some reason we cannot get that down.  Not even when I was at home during my maternity leave, we still couldn't do it.  This how our nights go in the Meadors household:

• I get home from work
• Pick up the house from the morning (bottles, clothes, make bed, pick up bathroom, etc.)
• Feed Oaks
• Wash bottles and pump parts from the day
• Unload the dishwasher from the previous night
• Start Dinner -- Cory normally gets home around this time.
• Start a load of laundry
• Take Hank and Banjo outside to potty -- this is Cory's job
• Play with Oaks while dinner is cooking
• Feed the dogs then take them out again
• Eat dinner (hopefully Oaks is sleeping)
• Just a note:  Cory and I eat dinner at the table.  Together.  No tv (most of the time), the table is set and we have the food on the table with us.  This is our one time during the day when we can actually talk.  So far, this has kept his sane and happy :)
• Clean up kitchen and load the dishwasher
• Switch over laundry
• Give Oaks a bath if he hasn't thrown a fit because he is hungry.
• Pj or swaddle time 
• Feed Oaks
• Put Oaks down for bed
• Get everything together for next day - bottles and clothes for daycare, breakfast, lunch, and pump parts for work
• Clean whatever is on my chore chart for the day.  Yes, I have a chore chart because if I don't I am so overwhelmed with cleaning my house I would never go to sleep.
• Monday:  Bedrooms and Dusting
• Tuesday:  Kitchen and Floors
• Wednesday:  Bathroom and Trash
• Thursday:  Downstairs
• Fold last load of laundry
• Pump
• Put dogs up for the night
• BED! 

This is all done between 5:30 and 11 every night.  It seems like I should get more done in 5 and a half hours.  I'm exhausted at the end of every night though.  I don't know how some Moms can schedule themselves and have such a routine where they have time for it.  I'm lucky to get a few minutes of sitting down by myself without a baby attached to my boob.  Last night Cory got home at 7:30.  We went to eat dinner at 8:00, had to go to Wal-Mart after that because we had zero food in the house.  We didn't get home until 10.  Luckily before we left I had put Oaks in his pjs and was able to take him straight from his carseat to the bassinet since he ate his dinner the same time we ate ours.

Parents of the year right there.

If you wonder what I will be doing tonight, I will be cleaning my kitchen and mopping my floors -- and probably drinking wine!

Cheers!

Tit for Tat

Why is it the we have to constantly compare what you did for someone expecting the same favor returned?  That is how we are programmed, as humans, but that isn't right.  We shouldn't give only to get something in return.  I've been struggling with this lately.  Really struggling.

One reason is that I have noticed since Oaks was born that some people that I knew would be around to see him, visit with us, and create a relationship with him hasn't been around.  I know, how do you create a relationship with a newborn - but at least see the little guy.  It's been frustrating (and hurtful) for me on numerous occasions.  I know everyone is busy... a lot of our friends and family have kids and I know now how difficult that is.  I just know that I have went a lot of hospitals, a lot of houses, a lot of ballgames, plays, and graduations.  I have taken time out of my busy schedule on numerous occasions to be with or help those I care about.

So, as I learn to not compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges I will continue to pray for strength and kindness.  With my hormones these days, I definitely need the kindness.  No one ever told me that I would become even more a beyotch after I had Oaks.

Ahhh, I feel better now.  Thank you for allowing me to be a raging hormonal Mom for a minute.