An Average Day at 10 Months

Schedules and routines are probably the most common topics I get asked questions about!  I think that most parents wonder about how to do what's "best" with each child's day.  I feel that if your kids are happy, healthy, and growing and you're content, then you're doing something right!  

Since I am a teacher, it's in my nature to creates routines and schedules of what my day will look like.  Throwing twins in the mix made this even more important to me.  Having a routine gives me a slice of sanity since I generally know what to expect, plus the boys get to know what they can count on.  

I have read several books (including 12 Hours of Sleep by 12 Weeks and Baby Wise) that discuss schedules with babies, so I've taken different things from each book and applied what I found most helpful.  We are currently on a 4-hour feeding schedule.  That means our days look something like this:

7:15 AM    Wake up, get out of crib, change diapers, independent play while I make the bottles.
7:30 AM    Drink bottles on Twin-Z pillow on floor
8:00 AM    Breakfast (typically some combination of fruit, oatmeal, puffs, pureed foods + water cup)
8:30 AM    Diaper change and dress kids for the day; play time
9:00 AM    Nap  --  I get ready for the day, clean up the kitchen, and start a load of laundry
10:00 AM  Play, diaper change, then get out of house (run errands, groceries, go to library, etc.)
11:30 AM  Bottle feed
11:45 AM  "Lunch" (foods they can feed themselves, like pieces of meat, cheese, fruit + water cup)
12:15 PM  Play time, diaper changes
1:00 PM    Nap -- I eat lunch, fold clothes, complete to-do list things around the house 
3:00 PM    Depending on wake-up time, run other errands or tidy up around home; play time
3:30 PM    Bottles and diaper changes
4:00 PM    Walk 
5:00 PM    Dinner (generally leftovers of food I've made, which I'll puree if needed)
5:30 PM    Evening play, usually independent while I make and eat dinner
6:15 PM    Signing Time and sound practice
6:45 PM    Bottles
7:00 PM    Bath and story time
7:30 PM    Bedtime for Jacob and James

After they go to bed, I clean up the play room and kitchen, sometimes watch a show with Seth, and try to exercise before showering and heading to bed.

We have nights that we have to get up several times because of teething or boys not feeling well; other nights we'll only get up once.  When they do wake up, usually putting a pacifier in helps them fall back asleep.     

I knew it was time to take away their third nap around 9.5 months because they would be upset when I put them in their cribs and could not be soothed unless they were out playing.

I generally make minor adjustments to our schedule based on how long naps are or if we have appointments to attend.  Instead of taking my bigger stroller I have found it most helpful to leave my umbrella stroller in my car at all times.  My diaper bag is constantly filled with all the necessities I would need if I was out during a feeding time or a diaper change was needed.  If  I used something up, I immediately replace it when I get home.  

A Restart and Reboot

It’s been a long time since my fingers have met my keyboard to type out a post.  I miss writing.  I have a lot of thoughts and things I want to share.  Mothering twins has been a dream come true (I mean, just look at the journey we took to get where we are today).  But it’s hard.  Oh so hard.  Many nights with too few hours of sleep.  Two babies with different needs.  Concerns of health (especially hearing) are always at the forefront of my mind.  

Raising these boys means everything to me and I want the best for them.  I want world peace and kindness to/from others to be the only thing they know, but unfortunately, that’s not reality.  I wish I could always keep a cool head and never feel frazzled, but that’s not real life either.  It’s being the best I can be, whatever that is for the day.  

Recently I have been trying to figure out what kind of impact and mark I want to leave on the world.  I think the best impact I can have is on raising two caring and kind boys, but sometimes that doesn’t feel like enough.  Occasionally it feels like I am getting pulled in two different directions—one where I have no monetary contribution and another where I should be doing this or that to make money.  Wondering if what I’m doing is enough—living up to impossibly high standards that don’t really exist.  It’s interesting going through all these different feelings when I’m really doing exactly what I have wanted for so long.

Motherhood is intense and wonderful and better than I imagined.  It’s also harder than I imagined too.  Emails pile up, boxes get left unpacked, things aren’t as clean or organized as I would like, but I’m happy.  I’m doing something that I find great value and happiness in.  Even when there is a hard day (or night), there’s also some good I can find.  I honestly find that trying to find some good in a really bad day or night changes my perspective.  Nothing is permanent.  Babies grow out of schedules and clothes, but they never outgrow needing love.

And remember—

I am enough and you are enough.  Exactly as we are today.