I have managed, today, to get the first birthday party invites filled out, stuffed, addressed, stamped, and put into the mail. I also got the paper read and some toys picked up and put away.
I'm out of naptime and into lunchtime now so I may get nothing else done but I figure this is an improvement over yesterday.
Update:
I also got most of the grocery shopping done and the padded part of the highchair run through the washer and dryer.
8 comments:
Hooray for small accomplishments!! When's the big party?
Betty Crocker I am not, and I don't think anyone else is either! You have a lot on your plate doing two and a half full time jobs (Baby, Your Business, and Part Time Job) Not only does it take time to get a routine in place, but as The Short One grows you have to adjust for the changes with her. I think the most difficult times I've had with Gayle were during those adjustment times - new amount of energy to apply to her, new nap schedule... and oh shit I forgot to cook dinner! It's hard to find the balance, and I think it's important to make just a little relaxing time for yourself - even if that contract isn't totally done yet, get a kitchen timer set it for 20 or 30 minutes, and do something totally for yourself. In the grand scheme of things, half an hour isn't a terribly long amount of time, but a half an hour of free "me" time can feel like a mini-vacation and help you recharge your brain.
And no... exercise time is NOT counted as "me" time - it's a necessary part of the day put in place to push you towards a healthier lifestyle. "Me" time is what you want to do, not what you have to do - you'll get more satisfaction out of it.
One other thing I've done is adjust my definition of "clean". I used to feel the need to organize toys and stuff to a degree that was impossible to keep up with... I finally went out and bought a couple pop-up laundry basket things & when I feel the need to clean I toss any toys into them and shove them in the corner of the room. No, it's not organized, but the room is presentable and we can sort the toys out later during play time. (seriously, turn it into a game! "Where does the car go?" accomplish play time and organizing at the same time. Multitasking!)
I think that's the hardest part, Jade: the schedule constantly changing. And that's part of the problem now. We're in the middle of a schedule shift; the old one isn't working anymore but we haven't figured out what will work now.
I like the idea of using a kitchen timer; that way, I can goof off for a bit but be disciplined enough to get back to work. (I have some issues with disciplining myself lately which is part of the problem.)
And you're right, LauraJ; thank heavens for small accomplishments. Sometimes, when I make my lists, I write down things I've already done that day just to cross them off and feel like something got done.
The big party is 9/16! (Her bday is the 14th but my sister's coming in from out of town, so we'll have the party the following weekend.) I can't believe it's nearly a year already!!
Aaron's birthday is the 15th! September babies are so sweet!!
Hooray for any accomplishment no matter what the size, and hooray for the first b-day milestone!
BTW, you accomplish WAY more than I do. Hell, I need lauraj's 21 Days Challenge to keep me in line :-P
Re: cleaning. I have realized that I feel most at home when someone doesn't clean there house before I come over because then it looks just like mine. I now don't clean anything but the bathroom before a good friend comes over.
Cleaning? What is that? Now that the kids are older we have a game called the 10 minute clean. We pick a room and set the kitchen timer and within 10 minutes we have to straighten, dust vaccume and put away all of the crap in sight or that does not belong. If we are successful ( evaluated by the parent not participating) everyone gets a bonus! It may be a get out of jail card (from mom) or a surprise lunch the next time we go out. As you know number 4 is on the way...so I am back at the beginning...AGAIN!!! waaah?! what about ME!?
I like the cleaning game -- great idea! How early did you start your kids with helping to pick up after themselves?
And congratulations on number 4!! When's the due date? Maybe the boys are old enough to help with the little one now - at least a little. You could be like that woman with the 16 kids, where the older ones are mentors/caretakers for the younger ones. (Though I'd stop with 4. 16's kind of a lot and then you'd be throwing off that curve again like Jade said!)
When AJ was small, I always felt like a day where I got more than one thing done was a very good day.
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