The last time I wrote a day in the life post, I’d been back to work for about 2 weeks, and though it was an adjustment, we settled in very nicely. Here we are, just over a year later, and I’m on maternity leave again, now as the mother of 2. Here’s a little glimpse into what a typical day looks like in the Oatmeal house with a 2 year old and a newborn:
6:30am – Mr. O’s alarm goes off, and if both kids are still sleeping, I’ll jump in the shower. If Baby Oats is awake, I nurse him in bed while Mr. O showers.
7:ooam – Little Oats wakes up, and we all go downstairs for breakfast (I shower at this point if I haven’t already). Baby Oats hangs out in the swing while I make coffee and get food for Little Oats.
8:00am – Mr. O leaves for work, and it’s just the three of us. If we’re headed out somewhere, I get both kids dressed, stock the diaper bag, and head out.
8:30-10:30am – We might go to the library, the grocery store, or to visit my mom. If we stay home, we usually play in the basement; it’s a nice change of pace for Little Oats, and I can drink my coffee while she plays and Baby Oats nurses.
10:30 – 11:30am – Some mornings we’re at playgroup, others there’s story time at the library. While it’s still nice out, we try our best to get out of the house, even if it’s just to run around in the backyard.
11:30am – We come inside and get lunch ready for Little Oats. While she eats, she’s allowed to watch a TV show, usually Team UmiZoomi or Paw Patrol. Baby Oats typically nurses around this time as well.
12:oopm – Baby Oats hangs out in the swing while I put Little Oats down for a nap.
12:30pm – 2:30pm – I eat lunch, make another cup of coffee, and settle in on the couch. If Baby Oats is asleep, I might tidy up or take a nap; if he’s awake, we play quietly, nurse, and snuggle.
2:30pm – Little Oats wakes up from her nap. I put Baby Oats in the Moby wrap, and we play. Little Oats loves playdoh, colouring and painting. I’m starting to explore new ideas for her as well; she’s getting old enough now to enjoy crafts and baking, so I’m constantly looking for new things to do. Baby Oats nurses in this time as well.
4:30pm – I start dinner, sometimes with Little Oats’ “help,” and sometimes alone. She is awesome at playing by herself (I usually just get in the way), and Baby Oats is content to just hang out in the wrap, the swing, or in my arms if he’s a little fussy.
5:00-5:30pm – Mr O gets home from work, and either takes over making dinner or plays with both kids.
5:30-6:00pm – We eat dinner, chat about our days, and catch up.
6:30pm – I nurse Baby Oats, and Mr. O gives Little Oats a bath if she needs one. Otherwise, Little Oats plays while we clean up.
7:00pm – Bedtime for Little Oats. Usually, Mr O handles bedtime while I clean up from dinner. If Baby Oats is fussy, that happens later, and I bounce him on the exercise ball.
8:00 – 10:00pm – I blog, Mr O works a little, and we watch TV (lately, Scandal on Netflix). Baby Oats naps, eats, and plays for a bit. When Baby Oats settles in for his ‘longer’ (read: 2.5 hour) stretch of sleep, I head up to bed with him. We sleep in 1.5-2 hour stretches, nursing, rocking, and changing, before we get up and do it all over again.
Our lives are entirely different now that Baby Oats is here, and I’m really interested to see how things have changed (again), in another year!
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
That sounds pretty nice. “Baby hangs out in the swing” was never better than “baby screamed in the swing” with my colicky boy. your post almost makes me think I could do it again