Everyday Life

I fully intend to write more often in my blog.  But the honest truth is that I'm not doing anything that I feel is exciting.  Or I don't take pictures.  Or the only thing I do right now that is "different" every day is make something different for supper.  

I am now officially a "stay at home mom," and it has not been an emotional struggle for me so far.  I think that is because I am still pregnant, which means I am tired, sluggish, tired, tired, and more tired.  I have a feeling that once the baby is born and I am no longer pregnant, I will struggle a little more emotionally with the adjustment of going from having a goal and a purpose to fulfill every day and to take pride in (my work), to trying to find what gives me value staying at home.  One of those things is meals--I take pride in my ability to cook good meals, and enjoy trying new recipes, and it makes me feel valuable!  

This past Monday I have to go to a short doctor appointment in Des Moines.  I have an underactive thyroid, so have to visit an endocrinologist once a year for a 5 minute appointment.  After the appointment, Laurel and I went to my former office and hung out with my former co-workers for a few hours.  It was great to see them, and also to spend some time talking about work stuff with the people who are now doing what was my job.  And Laurel enjoys playing with all the balls and dolls in the office, and also playing with the office intern.  

On most days, when I have no where I have to be, my days go pretty much like this:

Approx. 7:30 or 8am:  Laurel wakes up.  I always stay in bed until she wakes up.  Usually she is also in the bed with me, and usually she is rubbing the mole on my neck, so I'm not really sleeping, but I still stay in bed.

Breakfast:  Laurel eats a packet of oatmeal, I eat a bowl of cereal.  We eat in our pj's, because Laurel no longer wears a bib, and I don't want her shirt covered in oatmeal all day.

Then I put in my contacts, we decide what we're going to wear, and take a shower.  We don't do night-time baths for Laurel.  I just take her in the shower with me, and she plays in the tub while I dry off.  We'll see what happens when there are 2 kids...it might get crowded in the shower.

Generally after showering and getting ready, I need a little sit down break (remember that I am 9 months pregnant).  Laurel is content at this time to read books, or sit at her table in her room coloring or playing with puzzles while I sit next to her.

Then we usually watch 2 episodes of Dora, Diego, the Backyardigans, Veggie Tales, or Blue's Clues.  Those are the only shows I have introduced her to, because I know they somewhat educational, and they don't drive me crazy.  I think she learned to count from Dora.

After that we eat lunch.  I mean, I eat lunch, and Laurel eats the same things she eats for every meal.  The child is picky.

After lunch Laurel takes a nap.  Sometimes she falls asleep quickly, and sometimes I end up making her sit with me for 1 or 2 or more hours until she falls asleep.  Good thing I don't have any work to do any more on those days!  She usually naps for about 2 hours.  During nap time I try to clean the kitchen or do other house tasks...I also make sure I rest part of the time so I have energy to make it through the rest of the day.

After nap time I try not to watch any more tv with her (unless I am really, really tired...).  So we play with toys, or balls, or books.  

I make supper.  Laurel insists on helping (she stands on a chair by the counter and snacks or hits bowls and spoons together while I make supper).

Scott gets home, we eat, and then I collapse on the sofa while he plays crazy games with Laurel.

Bed time:  we get Laurel ready for bed at 8pm.  We are lucky if she falls asleep before 9pm.  She is a night owl like both of her parents.  And once she falls asleep, we hope and pray that she sleeps in her own bed all night long.  That happens maybe once or twice a week.

And that is what we do every day.  Sometimes we have stuff to go to at night.  On Thursdays I go to a Mom2Mom group in Pella...unfortunately, it has been cancelled 2 out of the last 3 weeks because of snow days and "cold" days at the local schools...when school is delayed or cancelled, the group is cancelled.  

I love Laurel, and I love that she is starting to talk (and talk and talk) in complete sentences.  I love that she is learning so much, and can already count to 10, and repeats everything I say over and over.  I love that she comes to me and says "I poop.  Change diaper" every day...and that eventually she will do that in the potty.  I love that she wants to call Grandma every day just to say hi.  I love that she can't wait until Daddy gets home, and neither can I.  But I do crave adult conversation and companionship.