Let me start out by stating that I am a first-time mommy of a beautiful baby boy named Jacob. He is the first grandson of the family and everyone is absolutely smitten. I know I am biased (what mom isn’t?), but he is quite a looker.
His father and I are currently living apart. While that situation in itself is stressful, it’s really the day-to-day chaos of having an infant that makes it so hard to just sit down for a second and enjoy my little boy’s company – especially when I have to do EVERYTHING myself!
My typical day goes something like this:
- 5:30 a.m. First and foremost ““ make coffee. Nothing can happen if this step is skipped.
- 5:32 a.m. Feed the baby, change him, and soothe him to sit alone while I shower.
- 6:00 a.m. Shower, do make up, hair, and change clothes 10 times before I finally decide I won’t be looking in a mirror all day so I will eventually forget about the post-baby fat hanging off my pants.
- 6:45 a.m. Pack my lunch that I made the night before, pack Jacob’s daycare bag with things prepared from the night before, make my last cup of coffee to-go.
- 7:00 a.m. Carry my now 15 lb. 11-week-old baby, all these bags [more if I plan a trip to the grocery store after work], and my coffee down the stairs of my building to the car. By this time I’m sweating profusely and if J puked on the way down because I just didn’t have time to burp him after his bottle, we have to clean up quick with a baby wipe. Climb into the car and buckle him in. Did I mention he hates his car seat? There’s usually some crying and wailing involved during this process. (:
- 7:05 a.m. Finally we’re off for the 45 minute drive to daycare followed by a quick 10-minute drive to work.
- 8:00 a.m. Work. I am glad I love my job. (:
- 5:00 p.m. Pick the baby up from day care.
- 6:00 p.m. Head home to feed baby again, clean bottles, prepare daycare stuff for the next day, cook dinner and 1st and 2nd meal for the next day, do laundry, and clean up around house.
- 7:30 p.m. Actually eat the dinner I prepared. (If I’m lucky!)
- 8:00 p.m. Bathe baby and keep him entertained long enough so that he will sleep a few consecutive hours during the night.
- 9:00 p.m. Feed baby and change him one last time.
- 9:30 p.m. Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
- 3:00 a.m. Hungry baby must be fed.
- 5:30 a.m. It’s morning already!?! But I just got back to sleep…. Time to start back at step 1.
Sometimes I can’t believe I get it all done, but just looking at Jacob makes it so easy. I won’t even get into the mess involved with grocery shopping or running an errand – my fellow moms know what that’s like!
My plate is full, but I know I’m not the only one. Tell me about YOUR day! (:
New “Vitamom” Catherine is a proud parent to 3-month-old Jacob and relies heavily on coffee and lavender-oil-infused baths to get through her hectic days.