I started this blog one year ago. I started it as a way to document Braxton’s life (kind of like a digital baby book) and share some insight on parenting from my perspective. Along the way I’ve gotten to connect with other mom’s and I’ve loved hearing other people’s stories and experiences. It’s a great feeling to know you aren’t alone with things like teething, diaper blowouts, and sleep training. Those can be mentally exhausting, but having a momma village is so helpful.
(July 2016)
So much has changed in the past year. Last summer I was terrified to take Braxton anywhere by myself. I didn’t feel comfortable in public with him, and I was so nervous to have him out in the heat too long so we only went to the “pool” once. (That “pool” was just a baby pool in the backyard.) This summer we have already been to multiple pools more times then I can count. We also set up his own “waterpark” in the backyard so he can play outside whenever he wants. (Which is all the time.) I also finally feel completely comfortable taking him places by myself. We take weekly trips to Target and H-E-B, and we have started going to indoor play areas like Gymboree!
(Last year, when Braxton took his first, and only, dip in the pool that 1st summer.)
(He loves his backyard Oasis! Water is his life.)
One of the first blogs I posted about was what a typical day looked like. That has changed a lot, so I thought I’d update on what a day and week look like for us now that he is a toddler!
5:00am: Braxton usually wakes up so early! But since he is sleeping through the night, it’s hard to complain too much. He gets a bottle of milk and a diaper change as soon as he wakes up.
5:00-7:00am: Breakfast, which is usually Stoneyfield YoBaby Yogurt, and cereal. (Milk and water is always offered to him all day long.) Then he usually cuddles and plays while watching a movie. (His favorites right now are Moana, Trolls and Zootopia.)
(He’s living the dream. Bowl of cereal, milk, a movie, and relaxing in his PJ’s.)
7:00-9:30am: Nap time. It’s not always this long, but on average this is about how he naps. I usually do some sort of cleaning or working out during this time. Plus I use this time to get ready for the day.
9:30-11:00am: Bottle of milk and diaper change as soon as he wakes up. Then we usually play in his playroom and take a walk to get the mail.
11:00am-12:00pm: Lunch time. And yes, it usually takes him an hour to eat! Lunch consists of some sort of the following: strawberries (his favorite), apples, cucumbers, Kodiak Protein Pancakes (with either a few chocolate chips or strawberries), Mac & Cheese, PB & J, rice, or whatever leftover we had from dinner the night before!
(Relaxing in his high chair while eating lunch. He’s such a good eater lately!)
12:00-1:30pm: We go run some errands. Usually going to Target!
1:30-3:00pm: Nap time! Again, it’s not always exact, but it’s a good estimate of when he is going to nap.
3:00-4:00pm: We will either play in his playroom, go to Gymboree, go to the pool, or play in the backyard. It usually depends on how his afternoon nap went.
(This kid loves playing at Gymboree, but we are still working on him socializing with other kids and not running away from them.)
4:00-5:00pm: Wait for daddy to get home! I love being a SAHM, but somedays, I really look forward to dad walking in the door and getting a break myself!
5:00-6:00pm: Taking a shower and making dinner while dad plays with the little one!
6:00-7:00pm: Dinner time! Braxton will usually try what we are eating, but he also has some food of his own.
7:00-8:00pm: Bath time for Braxton. Dad does his bath while I clean up the kitchen, and then we read books and wind down from the day.
8:00-9:00pm: Bedtime for Braxton! We usually watch one of our shows during this time.
9:00-10:00pm: Bedtime for mom and dad! We both have to get up early in the morning, so staying up late isn’t usually the best idea. Then it starts all over again!
(July 4, 2017. Such a different 4th of July then last year. And I know next year will be even more different!)
My other “jobs” (i.e. chores and such) during the week:
Monday: Laundry day! We usually just stay home all day and I get all the laundry done so that I don’t have to worry about it during the week.
Tuesday: Bathroom Cleaning. I usually clean all our bathrooms during his nap times.
Wednesday: Kitchen Cleaning.
Thursday: Sweep, Mop and Vacuum the floors.
Friday: Whatever I didn’t have time to do during the week.
**It’s easier for me to try to just do one thing per day during nap time, that way the house doesn’t overwhelm me. Knowing what I want to get done each day helps me stick to that.
I love being home and getting all the one-on-one time with my son. It’s a time in his life that I know will pass quickly, and I will never get it back. I’m so thankful to be able to do this, but it’s not luck. It takes hard work on my husband to provide for our family, and it takes sacrifice on both our parts. It’s why I strive to get everything done around the house and not just nap or watch TV when he naps. (A misconception on what people think stay at home moms do.) It’s taken cut backs, budgeting, and couponing. It’s extremely lonely at times, especially when the only person you see all day can’t even hold a conversation with you. But it’s the best job I’ve ever had. It won’t last forever, and I know I’ll go back to being a working mom someday, possibly soon. But for now, I love my schedule!
(Love every moment with this boy. He may test my patience sometimes, but the years are already passing too quickly so I don’t want to miss a second of them.)