To give hope to those new working moms – when I wrote this, I was only a few days into it & SO OVERWHELMED. I thought we would NEVER survive that grueling schedule. When people told me it would get better, I didn’t believe them. So let me eat my words, be cliche, & tell you it DOES GET BETTER. It gets easier, it becomes routine, & you start finding happiness in the smaller moments. & as you get the routine down, you start finding time here & there that you were wasting & it stops sucking. Promise.
The clock still rings at 5:45 am. We still snuggle & make-out. We drag out of bed around 6am & get ready. Harrison plays on the bed while we talk to him, sing, & be silly. He has finally gotten used to seeing Momma in curlers!
Then we all pile into the Sub. Yep, we’ve started carpooling. We started because of my anxiety meds, which make me incredibly loopy, but found that not only does it save gas, money, & Mother Earth, it gives us time as a family. Finding that missing time, remember? Harrison usually naps, so I sit up front with Nate & we drink our coffee, listen to music, etc.
Nate drops me off at my parents, aka Harrison’s current daycare. I eat breakfast, play with Harrison. What’s nice about writing this all out is it helps me see HOW MUCH time I really do get to spend with Harrison. Or at least how much time I’ve MADE to see him. It’s easy to get wrapped up in “woe is me, I never see my child,” but when I see it on paper (like now), we do get quality time in small spurts, like every other working family. (by the way, if you are feeling this way, write it down…I promise, you’ll feel better!)
and then I work.
Sometimes my clients are hilarious. Sometimes they get the side-eye when they ask me why I “don’t want to be home with my baby.” But I do love what I do & now that I’m getting back in the swing of things, I’m re-learning what it is to love my job every day. Sometimes I eat lunch at my desk. On nice days, I’ve started bringing my sneakers & getting out for a walk to burn off some anxiety & get some exercise.
Hawt, right? Coolness is my middle name. I ride in the back with Harrison on the way home, which is (usually) a blast.
The one bad thing about carpooling? It doesn’t get us home until after 6pm. We usually get a few minutes to play on the mat, but bedtime routine starts strictly at 6:20. Sir Harrison is a DICTATOR about his schedule & starts hollering for his oatmeal. To the high chair! He makes a HUGE mess, which is absolutely endearing at this stage in the game (remind me of that in 6 months, mmkay?).
Bath time! Obviously, this is a very neglected child that needs to bond with his mother more. He ADORES bath time – usually a good 15 minutes while we laugh, play with squirt toys…oh yeah, & clean him.
After bath, Harrison puts up a good fight. Yep, it takes two of us to dress a screaming baby.
This is usually the hardest part for me. The screaming literally sets my skin on fire. Some nights, I can totally handle it. Some nights, I’m overwhelmed. This night, I handled it:
& I’m getting better at it every time, slowly but surely. He’s usually in bed by 7:15pm. Which is kind of sad, but I refuse to have an overly-tired child. Then I toss in a load of laundry while Harrison settles in for the night & Nate starts dinner.
I do a lot of laundry. It’s what happens when you have a kid with reflux. (Nate went through 5 shirts last Sunday alone) So while that’s spinning, we hop downstairs to make dinner. This night was a calzone, made with ::gasp:: homemade pizza dough made by yours truly! SuperMom moment! I’ll curtsy later. (actually, this is dough I made while pregnant & froze)
So while dinner bakes, we tag team to wash bottles, dishes, set up coffee (necessity!) for the next morning, & basically tidy up. I love going to bed with a clean kitchen & honestly, it’s part of me keeping sanity. If I’m paying $100 every other week for housekeepers, THEN BY GOD, I am keeping the house clean in between! & by 8pm, we’re usually done eating & ready to do our own thing.
Nate plays on his golf message boards, I blog. Or Twitter. Or answer emails. Sometimes I curl up on the couch with him & play “Words With Friends” on my iTouch & Twitter from there. Currently we’re kinda missing television, so we’re going through all our movies & shows on DVD just to have background noise. Lame. By 9pm, we’re showering & climbing in bed. Sometimes we do the maritals (sorry, no pictures), sometimes we read, sometimes we just go to bed if it’s a really long day.
So new working moms, take heart. It WILL fall into place. Your family will not be neglected. You CAN balance both. & you will make it. Some days because you’re totally confident, well-dressed, & ready to take on the world & kick it’s ass as a working mom in a SuperMom cape. Other days, because you barely sludge out of bed because it’s what your family needs from you. BUT YOU DO IT. & that’s the best part.
Blair, I'm glad you've found a schedule that works for you. And, the pictures of Harrison in this post are beyond adorable.
You are awesome. Keep it up.
::Clapping for you:: You got this down, mama! Congrats.
I forgot what a schedule really looks like. When I worked and went to school with the kids I had a military schedule at best but I got used to it. Now that I stay home we have a "basic"schedule but it changes everyday for some reason. I'm wishing you the best in your adjustment to tryign to do it all and after three kids I can tell you that somedays you will and then somedays you hit the wall and thats okay because that is life being a mommy. Take it one "today" at a time (which I know your already doing) and look forward to tomorrow you'll enjoy it much more than if you do it any other way.
Psst…"literally" doesn't mean what you think it means.
::eyes literally roll to the back of my head:: Get over yourself!
Same schedule here. I enjoy the small moments.
Wow we have almost the exact same schedule/routine, except that I don't get home at six. I am lucky to be home at 4. I was thinking though if you are really missing your TV shows why not watch them on hulu.com or download them from tvrss.com?
It all is a process and does get easier everyday! Just keep on going!
Blair, I think I could have written most of this! I love finding "hidden time", we have always carpooled, and while it started before our son was born, I am so grateful for that extra 1/2 hour in the morning and in the evening
I'm glad to hear you're finding your groove!
Lisa http://www.sheaintheavy.wordpress.com
Hi Blair.. I mostly lurk… but just wanted to say you're fabulous and you're doing a great job. You, your family, and your house are beautiful!
I think routine etc. holds true even without kids. Then you throw one in the mix and you redo the routines and rearrange and there is adjustment periods.
Good JOB! and I'm proud of you for appreciating the time you have and handling it better every day. Keep up the good work! (and kiss Harrison for me).
I'm a "take your baby to work" mom and we also carpool. Our mornings together are my favorite, I eat my breakfast and drink coffee while we talk about serious matters like what Cydni Lauper is looking like these days….I'm glad you're finding balance.
What? You didn't believe me when i told you it gets better? How dare you!
J/k I didn't believe anyone either
. It's just something you've got to figure out for yourself.
Blair- this is my favorite post you have ever written. EVA. It was exactly what I needed to hear today. Tired of wiping my own tears about feeling overwhelmed with work and family. If you can do it, damnit, I can do it. & still secretly pray to win the lotto or inherit some crazy trust fund to pay off my mortgage. cheers to you.
Thanks for this post Blair! One of the most fun posts to read. Your family is ADORABLE.
very nice! i'm glad you've got your groooove.
i wish my day started @ 5:45 instead of 4:00- oy.
i also wish we could carpool- but working at opposite ends of the state makes this near impossible
and WHAT? no Keurig?!?! the hubs would die ::realizes that people still make coffee the "old fashion way"::
lol!
It gets better? Oh thank God.
I've been at this for 22 weeks and I swear it still makes me on edge. Maybe I need to write it all down? Or maybe i just need to convince Husband to get his batookis out of bed before 8:00 in the morning. That would be beneficial, no?
Harrison is a doll.
Write it all down & get on heavy medication
LOVE this post! You have a beautiful family!
Blair,
I am so glad you posted this. I've been wondering the same thing, and it's a relief to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel. I wish you continued progress and look forward to hearing more and seeing more adorable pics of Harrison.
you've come a long way from earlier posts. Sounds like you guys have made this parenting thing work;-) Kudos to you and your family. The post made me smile
Now if you could just tell me how you get your baby to sleep in his crib, so Brian and I can have that alone time you and Nate get.
The only time we do the maritals is when we can find the energy to do the silent tip-toe to our bedroom and perform the act. Alas, this only happens about once a week because the fear of waking the beast, far outweighs the need for sexy time.
Yaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwn. I can't even manage to get T and I dressed to drop B off at school. It's going to be awesome when I get that flat tire someday and get out of the car in my pj's with flip flops and T's diaper is hanging down to his ankles and guess what? He just pooped. Anywhooo You rock and really you rock.
This post, at the same time, exhausted me and made me incredibly excited to one day be a mother. I really am looking forward to being a working momma, and I love seeing how people are doing it before me. You have every reason to be proud of yourself
PS…Love Nate's slippers!
Your life seems so organized! I only work in the mornings, and even though I get to stay home in the afternoons my life still feels hectic (and my house is not nearly as clean as yours!).
I will say that I am insanely jealous that Harrison seems to go down for the night pretty well. We put DS down and he wakes up at least 2 or 3 times, sometimes every 15 minutes until we go to bed ourselves (we co-sleep since he refuses to sleep in the crib). I would love to have a relaxing evening like yours!
Good job! It's good to see a post like this.
I hearts dah pikshures a whole lot.
And as much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE having a shower before bed, it makes for The Crazy Hair, so sadly – I can't do this.
As a stay-at-home mom, let me just say that you are "missing" 2 naps during the day. So really, not much time at all. Chase is 2 years old. He wakes at 7, goes down at 12. Wakes up at 3. An hour later, husband is home to help/play/RESCUE ME. See? All he "missed" was a rush for breakfast, snack and The Lunch Struggle.
You've made the right decision working. It helps keep you sane!
What a great post!
I am actually a stay-at-home-mom, but reading that description of your day, I wouldn't be surprised if we spend a similar amount of quality time with our babies. I play with him once in a while, but mostly try all day to put him down or strap him on while I'm doing dishes, laundry, playing with my older son… I really enjoyed reading about the focused time you spend with your son and how much you seem to enjoy it.
Those car rides in the morning sound pretty amazing too. On weekends, when we're completely overwhelmed and need to get out of the house, we'll take the kids on car rides where they sleep or look contentedly at the passing scenery while we sip coffe and actually talk to each other!
I am the same way about the cleanliness of my house. I was never such a neat freak before my first son, but it is like I can't fully relax until everything is in its place. I think it is a control thing for me… when I realized I couldn't conrol my baby it really helped to have control over the state of my house.
Sorry this is so long, but I really enjoyed this post and I love your blog!
Every night both my husband and I give my daughter a bath, and we both dress her as well! It is a screaming match for us as well. She loves the tub, but once you get her out all hell breaks loose. I was hoping it was something she'd outgrow, but here we are at 4 months old and I can count on one hand the times she hasn't screamed. People in our family laugh at us and say "it takes two of you to dress her?", but we believe in getting it done ASAP in order to keep her happy! We joke that we're like a nascar pit crew getting her dressed. I'm sure you know the feeling. Let me know when he outgrows the screaming.
Thank you for posting this. It made me feel better and inspired me to work on our routine.
man! You sre so great! I am a SAHM and I still dont have that good of a routine down! haha But youre right, somedays I feel like I am super mom and others days I do feel like ignoring all cries and staying in bed all day.. every day is different!
Thanks Blair!
Alysha http://www.thetarrpit.blogspot.com
OMG i need this today. I am on week three and its killing me. I literally had a breakdown sunday night and said i was quiting. I heart you, today.
I am a full time working mom as well and our day also starts at 5:00 am! We also have a strict routine, my husband and I have always been routine people. When our son was born we kind of panicked there for a while because we felt like our lives where a MESS AND HAD NO ROUTINE. But, when I look back now (he will be 8 months old on Saturday) I realize we DID have a routine/schedule… it was just different then before
Anyways, what I am trying to say through all that jumble is that I can relate 100 % to this. Some days I feel so so guilty about working full time and other days I realize that I am providing for him in other ways even when I am not there. It's a hard shuffle but so worth it.
You guys are doing a great job
p.s. My little one used to go to sleep around 7:30 as well. Then he started crawling, and I thought he would go to be earlier. Nope. Being mobile is so much fun that now he doesn't go to bed until 9…. so enjoy the early "to beds" while you can!
great post! my favorite thus far! <3
I love this post. You're doing great, and you're inspiring people like me who are expecting their first baby (and intending to work!). Thank you.
Thanks for posting this. I am on day 2 of going back to work and I can kind of see a schedule emerging even now, but I miss my little guy soooooooo much. I unfortunately have an almost hour and a half commute (half of which is on the DC metro) so I wish I could spend that time with him. I keep telling myself "it will get easier/better" so I'm glad to know that it actually will.
What a great blog! I loved reading this one. I also love seeing different rooms in your house. (nosy!)
You look great and I am so happy things are starting to get easier.
Just curious, does H sleep all night now?
I've been following your journey since thebump. My 2nd son was born on 9/24 so we were on the boards at the same time.
Anyway, I'm so glad you're finding joy in the small moments. & isn't that just about the definition of life anyway…a long series of small moments…
You probably already know about this product, but in case you didn't, you might find it useful for Harrison's messy meal times. I find it invaluable.
http://www.babybjorn.com/en/American/products/Kit…
It catches ALL the food that doesn't make it or doesn't stay in their mouths. Because of that, it probably cuts out a full load of laundry a week! My 3 year old still uses his for the messy meals (read…spaghetti).
Enjoy your day!
Abbi
I think the key to "having it all" is sticking to a heavy duty schedule. It was hard for me, because the same-ness of each and every day just ground me into the dirt, but it's worth it. It kept everyone in the family sane.
I remember just freaking out on Sat./Sun mornings because Elizabeth would get up at 6 am (just like a work day!) and we couldn't get her to sleep in. So Kevin and I really couldn't stay up or have a late date night or we were paying for it all weekend. The schedule stuck no matter what day of the week it was.
I haven't tried working with a baby yet. I went back when Elizabeth was almost 3. I'll be pulling my hair out this fall after the baby is born.
I LOVED this post! Thank you!
The week I returned to work, my husband, a CPA, began his Tax season (aka LONG days, home around 8, working Saturdays, sometimes going out of town… sucky time of year!) so we were and still are exhausted! There is only 3 weeks left until April 15th and I cannot wait until we can get more family time and setup a great routine like yours!!
I loved reading this post. I too am a working mom with a super busy hubs, and sometimes I feel soooooooo guilty about the time (or lack therof) that I get to spend with Doodle. She's got a super strict routine in the evening which limits the amout of time we each get to spend with her – feeding starts at 6:15 sharp, then bath, then night night bottle, then bed. I cherish the early morning routine and evening routine even if its just an hour here and a couple hours there. I'm convinced these bebes know we love, love, love them more than anything in the world, and we are working this hard now so that we can work a little less when they are a little older.
Piper also still does the screaming while getting into pajamas (15 months old YESTERDAY by some kind of witchcraft I'm sure). She LOVES her bath and once it's done, she's pissed. Even if we skip bath for some reason, she screams bloody murder while we're dressing her for bed and doing her little baby lotion/teeth routine. Once she's in the chair with the bottle, perfectly happy kid again. Once the bottle is done, the screaming resumes until she's in the crib. Then, all is fine. I think she just doesn't like the day to end and the fun to stop. Until there are snuggle jammies and bottles and cribs full of pacifiers and loveys. Then it's ok. She also goes down between 7 and 7:30 and it's bittersweet. We miss her, but she needs her sleep, and yeah that's also when stuff gets done around here.
Your routine sounds great, I'm so happy that things are settling into a groove for you. Regardless of everything else going on for your family, having the routine helps everybody. In our family we find that it's easier to roll with the punches when the basic framework of the day is set up and everybody knows what's supposed to be happening.
Great post! You certainly have this figured out on what works best for you and your family. Kudos to you!
Thank you so much for writing this down. I'm going to have to write down my day and see how much time I get with my daugther. I sit at work and sometimes just want to break down crying because i miss my little girl and feel guilty that I'm at work and not with her. So maybe writing it all down will help me out. I'm glad you are starting to feel a little better. I know how it is having PPD…i'm still struggling with it., It's hard because a lot of people don't talk about PPD, so this helps me knowing that I'm not alone in feeling the way I do. Thanks again!
I think you meant to say "WHOA is me, I never see my child"
That's all.
I think you need to check out your grammar.
That's all.
Rebecca – I think you need to pull that large stick out of your ass.
Bwahahahaha. Fail.
BAHAHAHAHA. Totally. I don't buy this post for one second. Nice try, though. "Just kidding y'all – I LOVE being a workin' mom". Riiiiiggggghhhht.
Reading comprehension fail.
Lurker coming out of the closet to call you a complete dumbass, Rebecca. I'm all for calling out poor grammar or spelling, but there's nothing worse than someone correcting someone's spelling and grammar and getting it completely wrong. Woe is me is correct.
Damn, there are some spiteful people commenting here.
That wore me out reading it, and I agree with the other SAHM, you don't miss too much activity during the day with the baby, most days they are napping or you are running errands like a mad woman and wondering why you chose to SAH!. You seem to have a great grasp on the working mom gig, and that photo of Harrison in the tub has to be the cutest ever!
Do either of you ever go to the gym? I'm starting to freak out about this whole schedule thing(I'm almost 19 weeks pregnant). I see my trainer 2x a week for an hour now that I'm ktfu, but it was 3x when I was trying to lose weight and I'm sure that's what I'll need after baby. DH goes to the gym most nights from 7-8:30. I know I have to change my work schedule somehow because right now I'm working 4 days a week either 10-8:30 or 11-9:30 – I would never get to see my child! And how can we get baby ready for bed if we both get home so late…and daycares close at like 6! Something's gonna have to give. If my work doesn't let me change to an earlier schedule I really don't know how we are going to do this. Neither of us can afford to SAH. This wasn't in the plan for a couple more years(and before all the judgy mcjudgersons come out, we were using BC – perfectly – but it happened anyway). We are happy now; I'm just really stressed!
We don't go to the gym. We do, however, have an elliptical at home & the 30 Day Shred so if we're feeling feisty, we use those. I've TRIED working out before Harrison goes to bed while he plays, but it's far too distracting for me because I want to be with him.
The new plan/alteration to the schedule now that it's getting warmer & lighter outside longer is that we'll alternate nights to run Tuck for 30 minutes. While I give Harrison a bottle, Nate will run & vice versa. That will give her exercise, us equal time feeding Harrison, & us an outlet. & should be done by 7:30ish.
We do, however, stay active on the weekends. We go for a long walk at least once, go to the park, walk the golf course, etc. It's never going to be perfect & you're right – something has to give. For me, it was message boards & the gym & making gourmet meals. I used to LOVE to cook & try new things, but the crockpot is now my BFF. You just do what you have to do to make it work in the moment.
Which, of course, changes every day. But you will be fine
THANK YOU! Thank you so much for posting this! This hit home so much with me! I am a full time working mom & it's such a struggle, because ideally I want to be home with my baby…then it's a nightly struggle how to pack everything in – quality time with my daughter, my husband, cooking, cleaning, laundry (we have a refluzx baby too), oh yeah & we have cats…can't forget about them! anyway, reading this post made me feel better, I think just knowing that someone else struggles thru it too & some days you feel great & like you handled it all splendidly & others suck, but we get thru it
Thanks Blair 
Thanks for the post. I needed this one. Can't wait till things settle.
Thanks for this post. I am getting ready to go back to work full time after being off for almost 2 years with my son. It will be hard but I have to go back for my family and for my son to have the things he needs and even some of his wants.
FYI…my son also had reful and still does. that makes your job even harder I do understand bc i spend so much of my time changing clothes, laundry, and cleaning up throw up. Luckily my sons has gotten some better but we still have to watch what he eats since certain foods trigger it.
We have a similar schedule. We also carpool. However, babygirl doesn't get to sleep till like 9. She also doesn't like to be dressed after a bath. Crying hysterically during this time. My husband always makes sure that the kitchen is cleaned before bed. (usually while I feed her one last time..I know bad but she likes the boob or bottle before bed. I also have myself on a cleaning schedule. Just so I get a little less overwelmed. Being a working mom is hard but then again I it's not to bad if you really stick to the routine.
It is amazing how our schedule once seemed unsustainable; now, I can't imagine anything else. I'm glad things are getting easier for you all, too.
(And I'm glad to finally realize that wallpaper is in your mother's kitchen – you had me a little shocked there last week.)
COWMOOFLAGE! We have that same carseat!
I hate that question, too "why don't you stay home" – uhhh, if I had the option I would! Thank you for painting a true picture of what it means to be a working mom!
Actually I am a working mom and things are not getting better, they get worse. I am more exhausted, stressed and unorganized than I ever have been.
I love the narration + photos. You are right! I was the same way when I started working again. I didn't think I would be able to balance it all. It just takes a little time!
Now I have "takes a little time sometimes, to get your feet back on the ground," in my head! (sorry, way random)
love love love the pix! my schedule with G is getting easier, but hubby and i just don't seem to have the time together anymore. he tutors after school and doesn't get home until after 6…and by then G is usually pretty fussy and hubby thinks it's because G doesn't like hanging out with him
I think I might photolog my working mom day to put in J's scrapbook. Great Idea! Plus, glad to see you looking so happy.
Great post (and I love the pics!). I just got back to work about 10 days ago, and am still struggling with getting a routine in place so it's nice to hear that things will settle into place. When it was just the hubby and I, we weren't much for schedules (and didn't really need one), but now scheduling is key for everyone's sanity!
Thanks for giving us a look into your life, routine…ect.
Its nice to hear that you have great days as well as the bad days too. Somedays it is a struggle to not want to sleep all day, not that I could, but I love that I'm equaled out by those fantastic mornings when I want to jump out of bed and get going. Thanks for your insight, and yes, I know it'll get better
Thanks for showing us your routine, you rock momma! I love your blog and especially loved all the pics of your darling boy.
Not only do you have everything under control, you have a smile on your face.
You seem to be doing a great job, Blair!!! That doesn't seem like a totally terrible schedule… I say that as someone who is starting to get The Baby Fever but will always, always, always have to be a working mom. I'm scared to death about how hard I know it is – but you make it all seem possible!
I totally just did a "day in the life" blog post on my blog last week! Really different looking at a mommy's day versus a non-mommy's!
Thank God you wrote this! I'm having the most difficult time ever trying to "find" time with my 3 mth old. I leave so early in the am that she is still sleeping and I get home at night to see her 3 hours before I lay her to sleep. It's so hard and I can't WAIT till it all falls into place. Thanks H2B!
I absolutely loved this post. Love the pictures, your boy is adorable. Your day reminds me of ours – the commuting, the bath time, the oatmeal, the coffee, the bottles, the couple time … it's all doable and it's all wonderful, hectic as life may be.
I will second that it definitely gets easier. I miss my gorgeous boy during the day but I enjoy working, too. And my time with him – our family time – is so precious and awesome. I really feel like I have it all, and I'm proud that I can juggle it and be a great mom, wife, and employee.
And P.S. I gave you the "disagree – you should be able to spell, punctuate, etc. in your blog" on Twitter today – but girl, I don't think I really ever see mistakes in your blog anyway … ?
this is all good to know, as i'll be going back to work very soon…
you just made me feel extremely tired and very very lazy.
What a great post! Loved the photo documentation.
This is such an encouragement, as I am a student mom who will one day be a working mom, and I'm totally dreading it. But you make it seem possible! = ) Thanks for that; and for sharing life with us!
Love your blog!!
this is a great post. you are wonderful!
Thanks so much for this post. I go back to work in 3 weeks and things will change. I know it will be hard at first, but this post makes me feel I will figure it all out. And I think once I settle into it, I will take your advice and write it down. I am a blogger after all!
Can I say "I told you so!"? 'Cause I think I did. A routine is key. A routine is sanity. A routine is fun. Btw, your face looks thin.
I'm so glad that you feel better about your schedule. It really shows what a great team Nate and you are that you can find something that works for you both! Harrison looks so happy in all of your pictures and I'm extremely jealous of the Britax
Harrison is such a doll!
BA ~
I loved this day in the life :]
Esp. the pictures of you making dinner and doing laundry. hah.
I should do a day in the life.
Except yours is way more interesting.
xoxo
Gus
Isn't it nice when things start to "work" and you find a routine that keeps everyone sane and happy? We finally got there…it took a full year, and I'm about to throw a wrench in the works by having another baby in a few weeks. Eek!
Thank you so much for this post! I'll be a fulltime working mom in September and I constantly wonder how I'm going to do it all. I even made my husband read this post. Thank you again for providing me with so much inspiration!
I know my jealousy can not do anything to cure your PPD , but it totally should! I am sooo envious of your routine and how "together" you seem to have it ! I LOVE my life (minus the bod) but I seriously want to be you sometimes! I want your routine, your weight loss, your passion for your husband (not YOUR husband but mine, for me… you know what I mean.) I think you are fantastic and keep up the good work, If only to keep inspiring me! (Sorry I'm selfish.)
Blair, this was a great post. It too reminded me that I'm not the only one going through this. Some days it feels like it's too much and some days it's perfect. Finding that balance is so important. Carpooling was a wonderful idea and I'm jealous that you get to do that. We used to but can't anymore. You're right on track to working things out so that your schedule works for you.
okay, I have to be honest and say that Harrison may be one of the cutest little babies I've ever seen!! I mean that!
It sounds like you guys are really getting it all down pat as my mom always says…
I agree Heidi. That middle picture of him in the car seat with Sophie, I just want to grab his pudgy little baby cheeks!
Love the post and seeing a "day in the life" but just wanted to comment and say that I think Harrison is the cutest baby ever! He is so handsome and you are doing a great job!
Oh man, do I know this feeling. I am so waiting for my routine to take root with my 3 1/2 month old. Kudos to you for being an amazing mom, wife, and professional woman. Kudos to your husband for the much needed support alot of woman do not receive. My husband is finally coming around to the fact I need help with the all the chaos. Of course, only after a few minor breakdowns, and the realization of the fact that our martial duties were lacking. I explained the more help I get, the more energy and time for martial time!!! YAY! Here is to an efficient household!!
As a kid we (four kids parents) spent A LOT of time in the car. We listened to NPR and had conversations. THIS was family time we didn't get in the house. As a young adult, I cringe when I think about all of the families who miss out on this quality time by turning their cars into movie theaters. Bravo for turning your daily commute into quality family time!
you and your family are gorgeous. and you are absolutely right, all of us need to put things in perspective and focus on the positive.
i love H's bath time pic. he's got HUGE eyes.
Harrison is adorable, and looking more and more like you the older he gets
Thanks for this post- it resembles my life quite a bit even though Knox comes to work with me. I see him and tend to him, but there is nary a second for "quality" time at work. Once we get home, it's definitely the bath, dinner, bed routine. I never knew there were so few hours in a day until he arrived.
Oh, and don't feel bad about "needing" TV for background noise. That is what I miss the most about cable. One neurotic dog that barks at every farking noise she hears made me a slave to popping in a DVD or turning on the streaming Netflix so my head doesn't implode.
blair, thank you for sharing this (and all of your posts). i don't have a child but as the hubs and i are getting into that serious discussing phase of it i've been so nervous because of my anxiety issues and will i be able to stay on the medication, etc. and your honesty has shown me that a healthy balance can be achieved. and thanks for being so realistic about the struggles so many women face with anxiety, etc. you are beautiful and your family is adorable!
p.s. "doing the maritals" made me laugh out loud.
I love the bath pic of Harrison…adorable. Early AM and bathtime are the best times in my house as well.
You are effing SUPER MOM!!! Mmmkay? Seriously! I bow down. Really. You inspire so many people with your amazing blog and fearlessness. Then, you do all. of. this.
I read this post before your "under 200" post, and the first thing I thought was how thin your face is – you're looking fantastic! Kudos on keeping up the weight loss
And thank you for this post … I'm already dreading coming back to work after maternity leave, and you've given a realistic portrayal that I great appreciate.
This gives me some hope. Thank you for sharing!
Hey lady! The pics of you and your little guy are so freakin' cute! Sounds like your little fam has well oiled routine goin', which I totally envy. Thanks for being a great bloggy friend btw!
http://thepursuitofmommyness.com/
Dude I have no idea what the deal is with the pj's and kids. My 2 year old goes through phases were she is fie with getting dressed and the phases where she screams like someone is pulling out her fingernails instead of putting on a diaper- look forward to the don't mind phase!
Great Post – I just went back to work at the beginning of the month and its been hard settling into the routine, but I think we're finally starting to get it. I love that you guys are carpooling and getting that extra time with your son, I decided to get a daycare close to my work for exactly the same reason.
amber
I was wondering how the everyday sex idea turned out??
On the backburner for awhile, but still looking forward to it
Ah ok! I was watching oprah about a year ago and she had a lady on there who had sex everyday for an entire year. She wrote a book about it. I'm 8 months preggo now, so we usually get a session in about once a week. Typically, we shoot for every other day. Sometimes its a quickie but usually its a good time for both. I think intimacy is so important to our relationship. Cuddling, forehead kisses, holding hands, etc also count AND it helps lead to the hot and heavy stuff.
If every single day seems too much, could you reduce your goal to every other day possibly?
Awesome post
Wow…what a great way to share your experiences. I love your daily routine! We have a loose one that we follow.
I'm sorry that you are fighting PPD…no one can really understand unless they have fought that battle themselves. I wasn't ever diagnosed with it, but I do keenly remember feeling like I completely lost myself and sense of being an individual. It took over a year to figure out that I could still be "me" and be a mama. (as a side to the depression, I cannot take birth control meds because the hormones mess with me so badly)
My little guy is over two years old now and I'm trying to kick start my weight loss from being preggers. I may join in on your McFatty Monday posts!
Love this post!! Love that you’re a working momma who doesn’t take crap from anyone. I hate the “why don’t you stay home with your baby” question. When I went back to work it was the toughest few weeks I’ve ever experienced. I cried driving to work in the morning, I cried in the bathroom, I cried on the way home and then sat in the garage for a few minutes trying to pull myself together before walking in to my hubby and baby. I didn’t want him to see how hard it was. Slowly it did get easier. You do learn to relish every moment and make the most of the time you have.
Thanks for posting this… definitely makes me grateful for how far I’ve come.
Your family is just adorable, thanks for sharing!
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