a day in the life - melissa

EDIT:  Sorry I forgot to add the link to Melissa's blog!  It should be working now :o).

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Let me introduce you to Melissa, from Jack and the Kumquat.  Her daughter Alice is ADORABLE, so jealous of all that hair :o).  Enjoy a day in her life!

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Hi!

I’m Melissa, Ben is my husband, Jack is our dog, and Alice (almost 10 months old) is the kumquat.

I’m blessed to have the opportunity to be Stay-at-Home mom.

I prefer to say it like, “Stay at Home, Mom!”

Makes me laugh.

The thing is, we rarely stay at home all day.

Here’s a little glimpse into a typical day around here.

Disclaimer: These pictures were taken over a series of “typical" days.

  

7:00ish- We're up!

First I make coffee (Priorities.), then nurse the baby, and make breakfast and Ben’s lunch.

7:30- Ben is off to work. Alice and I have some play time.

She loves standing at her little toy basket and looking out the window.

I pump.

Like most mamas, I hate the pump.
But, I love the Alice-free time it gives me.

8:30- Naptime!

I’m convinced naps are really for moms, not babies.

I take this time to catch up on emails, Google Reader, and Facebook.

Then, I have more coffee, fold some diapers, Google “can you paint a countertop?” (yes, you can), call UPS about a strange bill, talk to our realtor, and take a shower. 

Post-nap bedhead. It's out of control.

9:30/10- This is when we get out of the house to do fun things…

Baby Time at the library, a Bible study, play group, walk, mom’s hiking group, MOPS, etc.

My child suffers from vehicular narcolepsy. It's a serious condition. 

12/12:30- Nurse the little girl and lunch for me.
Followed by more play time.
The Johnny Jump-up is always a huge hit. 

1:30- Nap time! Wahoo!

I’ve been cleaning the house and clearing out junk during this time.

There’s a sliiiight chance we’ll be moving soon, so that’s keeping me busy.

A clean kitchen makes me happy.

3:00- Time to get out of the house again.

This time it’s usually for errands…

Grocery shopping, bank, Costco, pick up our milk, oil change, etc.

Nurse Alice.

Costco is a perfect place to poo, right?

5- Start dinner.
I would love to start menu planning, but I haven’t yet.

I open the fridge, freezer, and cabinets and roll with what I find.

Tonight it’s pasta with pesto, roasted veggies, and chicken sausage.

Thankfully, I have an easygoing husband who will eat just about anything.

Also, we took the Baby Led Weaning path with Alice, so she eats whatever we eat.

5:30- Ben’s home! We eat dinner and have some daddy play time.

6:30- Alice is starting to come undone.

Time to begin the bedtime routine: change diaper, put on pajamas, stories with Daddy, nurse, and bed.

7:00- Alice is asleep.

Tonight Ben and I veg out; both of us on our laptops.

I have a glass of wine.

Sometimes we read, or play a game, or Ben plays a video game, or I do some sort of craft project.

9:30-10:30ish- We head to bed.

Middle of the night- Last night Alice was up at 10:30, 1:00, and 5:00.

See why coffee is a priority?

I’m super intrigued by Ashley’s sleep training post from the other day.

Oh, how I miss sleep.
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Now for the questions:

1. What's the most surprising thing about being a mom?

For me, it's the whole "your heart is on the outside of your body" thing.
I never understood how much my mom loves me until I had Alice.
It's indescribable how such a tiny baby can own your heart.

2. What are some tips you would give to new moms, or soon to be mamas? 

My sister-in-law recently had a baby.
A couple hours after delivery a doctor came in to check on her and the baby.
He told her, "You know what to do, you just don't know you know yet."
I loved that!
So, trust your gut.

Secondly, accept help.
I'm not very good at doing that.
I wish I had allowed friends and family to help out more during those first few weeks.

Lastly, read The Happiest Baby on the Block.
It's a quick read and was a lifesaver!

3. What are your top 3 baby products?

Like many other moms who have answered this question, I'd go with a sling/carrier, a Boppy, and items needed to implement The Happiest Baby on the Block suggestions: swaddle blankets, white noise, swing, and a pacifier.
(I kinda cheated with that last one, didn't I?)

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Thank you so much, Melissa, for sharing a day in your life!