A Day in the Shoes...

Something I was constantly curious about, especially, in the last few months of my pregnancy...What will my daily routine be like? I will walk you through a typical day for Josie and I while Daddy is at work.

A few things to keep in mind:

• If we have any appointments or errands we try to schedule them to be done between the first and second feedings of the day so we have more time to be productive with the rest of our day and so I don't have to pump in the van while we are out and about (yes, I have had to do this...thankfully my new van has shades you can pull down and my pump has a 9V adapter)
• Play dates, yes, we have had two so far (Mostly for Mommy)...have been at 10AM and 3PM, both worked well for us.
• I have a list of "goals" for the day. I have them categorized into levels of Importance (High-Low Priority) and then have some MUST-DO goals each day...here are some samples for each;
• Must-Do Everyday goals: Shower for Mom, Bath for Josie (every-other day), Laundry, Dishwasher, Sterilizing Pumping Supplies/Bottles, Homework, etc.
• High Priority goals: Errands, Make/Return Phone Calls, Plan Dinner, Vacuum (every-other day) etc.
• Low goals: Sort through mail, Blog, Emails, etc.
• I am now in school so I am making every effort to use my free-time while Josie is napping to get some homework done. Andrew has also been helping out when he gets home, watching her after dinner so I can take quizzes and read, uninterrupted (for the most part).
• I change so many diapers in the day, I wouldn't be able to put them into a schedule (so just assume I'm changing one before, during, and after any activity--sometimes multiple times) Because we are using cloth, that also means I MUST do a load of laundry of diapers daily.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NEW MOMMY:

Josie has only been waking up once a night (between 1-2AM) and once around 5-6AM. I usually put her back down after her 5-6AM feeding and I get up and around for the day (pump, shower, eat breakfast, and do housework until she gets up).

Wake Up for the day between 5-9AM depending on night feedings (and how our night went)

7-9AM First feeding of the Day, Josie gets a bath every-other day. Dress Josie. Run errands if any.

9-10AM  Josie takes first nap. Sadie pumps and sterilizes bottles and pumping supplies from the night. Assemble cloth diapers from previous night laundry.

11AM- Josie second feeding, tummy time or swing. Sadie pumps, does laundry (clothes). 

12PM- Sadie eats lunch, load dishwasher, vacuums (every other day...okay every other-other day)

1-2PM- Play/Quality time. With the weather getting warmer, we have been able to walk through the state park and play with the dogs outdoors. But on the cold days we have gotten pretty content cuddling on the couch.

2PM- Josie third feeding, Sadie pumps. Sadie sterilizes bottles and pumping supplies. Works on High Priority goals.

3PM- Sadie plans dinner while Josie plays or naps.

4-6PM- Sadie cooks dinner and works on any remaining, unfinished goals.

5-7PM- Andrew gets home. Dinner Served. Josie eats (conveniently, the same time dinner is served so either Andrew feeds me or I have a cold dinner). Sadie pumps. Sadie sterilizes bottles and pumping supplies. Start Josie's bedtime routine (around 6:30PM) Change Josie into PJs and Josie eats, again.

7-9PM- Finish up laundry (clothes) and dishwasher. Josie eats again,  Josie is in bed by 7:30. Sadie pumps.  Sadie (or Andrew) sterilizes bottles and pumping supplies. Watch TV, work on homework, and cuddle with Andrew on the couch. Start cloth diaper load of laundry to run through the night and finish in the morning.

9-10PM- Bed time. 

1-2AM- Josie eats. Sadie pumps. Switches diaper laundry from washer to dryer.

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Each day is a little different, but gets a little easier. I am starting to know her cries and be proactive at having a bottle ready to eat just before she wakes up or needs it. So I know its pretty random, but basically, Josie eats every 3 hours during the day and 4-6 hours at night. I pump and bottle feed during the day and at night. Majority of my time during the day is spent pumping, sterilizing, changing diapers, homework, housework, and never enough cuddles with my sweet baby girl. Did I also mention I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, and that those parts of my day couldn't bring me more happiness. 

Favorite parts of the day: Josie's bath, Quality time with my girl, and Andrew joining us at home.