Thrown into Action

I went back to work. No, I never stop working. Even in my sleep (aka: night nursing). But my maternity leave came to an end on September 21st - the day my baby turned 3 months. 3 months?! Wow. That flew by and he is no longer a tiny infant...he's developing into a chubby baby.

I didn't get to ease back into things. I was thrown into action! My husband started a night job last week - so when I got home from work, he left. Meaning dinner and bedtime for all 3 was all me. Stressful to say the least, and exhausting. Mainly because I wasn't used to the new routine. I recouped over the weekend (as much as you can with 3 kids under 4) and started fresh yesterday. But this week poses another challenge. Mike is out of town the entire week on business. The boys and I pray for his job nightly so we are thankful for the contract, but we are going to miss him. And if I thought I didn't get a break before, I certainly won't this week.

Yesterday was our first day sans dad and it went well. This is what I do to accomplish it alone:

• Meal plan on Sunday for the entire week. I pick a few recipes I want, check Jackson's school meal schedule, and plan accordingly so we don't duplicate. I make a list of the grocery's I need.
• Grocery shop on my lunch hour. Who wants the stress of taking all those kids to the store? Ha, not me. I'm all into decreasing the stress. I'm very very fortunate to work 1 block from Vons and 3 miles from home. I can shop, drive home, unload, eat and return to work on time - in an hour. It has taken a few years of practice, but I've got it down now =).
• Lay out everyone's clothes the night before. No seconds to waste in the morning doing this. Plus, if I give the boys a choice it could waste all morning with temper tantrums.
• Pack my car the night before, or put all bags by the door - ready to go. This includes: my pump with all clean accessories and any milk for babysitter; ironed lab coats; any school or sitter supplies needed; lists, mail, homework, or other paperwork; hopefully I remember my PHONE;
• Shower immediately after the morning feeding (usually 5am ish) and get myself ready before the boys wake up
  
• Leave the house at 6:45am to get to work by 7:45am. Drop off Jackson first - but to save time I don't take Owen and Gavin out of the car - I have the preschool director walk him down the short hall to his class. Next to the babysitters, nurse the baby, and kiss goodbye.
• Bath, dinner, jammies, brush teeth, immediately after getting home from work at 6pm. Usually done with this at 6:45.
  
• Older boys watch a show (lately Dora, Diego, or Blues Clues) for 20 min. while I give baby a bath and put him to sleep. Usually done by 7:15pm.
• Books, songs, and prayers with the boys in their room (the clock is Blue at 7:15pm!) and I'm out the door by 7:45pm.
• Finish chores (dishes, laundry, etc.) before down time (Facebook, Blogger, reading, Bible study, TV shows, hot bath, massage chair, etc. etc.) and a snack.
• Try to be in bed by 10 pm. I'll be up soon enough nursing =)
  
• I am not afraid to ask for help and am grateful to receive it. I learned quickly after the first 6 months of parenting (even just one child) that no one can "do it all." We use a housekeeper (right now every other Wednesday) and I welcome visitors to hold baby or play with kids so I can "get stuff done."
• LISTS LISTS LISTS! I make daily, weekly, and monthly lists. I can't live without them. I love writing them in regular pen and then crossing off each thing with a dark sharpie. Yes! Accomplished. Who could remember all those things to do with so many small children and so little time? I need to see it.
• Pray. A lot. Anywhere, anytime. Silent or out loud. Alone or with others. Eyes open or closed. HE is always listening....and blessing. His mercies are new every morning!