A day in the life

Just a snapshot in hopes of chronicling what life looks like for us in this season...

7:15 am- My phone alarm goes off.  I scramble to turn it off, because I hate ringing noises. Then I try to roll over and groan at my 36 week pregnant body.

7:25 am- I finally decide to get up and start making eggs and toast, because that's all we really have that my dairy-allergic toddler can have.  Collin is eating cereal and checking email.  We make a mental note to make a grocery run.

7:35 am- I finally get up the heart to go wake my toddler.  I have a magical sleeps-in toddler, and I regularly have to wake her up to get ready in time for the day.  I turn on the light in Addy's room, and today she wakes up easily and talking about how much she likes her pajamas. She's got awesome bedhead.  I pull her out of her crib (she still sleeps there, preferring it to the big bed we also have in her room) and we take our ritual prolonged hug.  She runs into the living room to give her daddy a huge hug before we sit down to eat.

8:00 am- Addy is pretty much done eating and I have gotten dressed.  This toddler is a slow eater, but we have time today to I let her take it at her pace.  I get her dressed and commence brushing teeth and hair.  The grooming part of our morning is often the most frustrating for us all.  Our girl always fights it a little.  I'm still not sure why, honestly.  This morning she has to take a timeout in her bed after screaming, "NO!" and fussing repeatedly about brushing her teeth.  Par for the course.  She requests ponytails and doesn't whine when I do her hair today: victory.  Collin has made us tea, for which I am very thankful.

8:30 am- Time to take Addy to nursery, just below where we live.  She goes with Daddy today while I brush my own teeth and hair.

8:35 am- Collin & I leave for class (just across a parking lot). Today our friend gives a message and does really well.  It's a nice start to the day.

8:50 am-  Language class.  Talking, listening, reading, grammar rules, vocabulary, pronunciation.  For me today's a good day in class, and I'm thankful.  Although the high today is only about 85 degrees Fahrenheit, it's hot in our class without air conditioning or a fan.  Par for the course.

11:20 am-  We get out for our ridiculously long lunch, and even though we're supposed to get out at 11:15, I don't mind.  Last semester it was 11:45.  Collin leaves to try to have his bike gears repaired.  I make lunch and respond to lots of emails today, even though I probably should have studied.

1:00 pm-  Collin gets back, bike not repaired, but with some miscellaneous groceries in his backpack.  He was told he must have a new part for his bike, so he is going to research.  We eat lunch, and then walk outside to enjoy the sunshine with some friends before it's back to class.

1:50 pm-  Class begins again.  Most afternoons start with a speaking exercise, and today is no different.  I'm rusty as we've only been back from summer break for a few days.  It's still hot in the classroom, but at least we turn the fan on.

4:15 pm-  We get out of class and I go straight to pick up Addy at the nursery.  Normally I meet with a language partner Mondays, but today one has a sick family member and the other is on vacation.  Capitalizing on the time, Collin leaves with a friend to inquire at a different bike shop about his options.  Addy and I grab a snack and go play outside with school friends.  Today Addy brings some chalk with her to share, and she and some other little girls spend a good deal of time coloring the wooden playhouse.

5:15 pm-  Collin returns and we discuss dinner plans.  He also reports he has a solution for his bike gear problem. We're both a little snappy as the day winds down and have to say, "I'm sorry."  I go upstairs to start prepping dinner, and Collin stays outside with Addy and works on his bike.

6:15 pm- I'm done with part of dinner, but the grilling is taking a bit longer than anticipated.  I break up some toddler squabbles before I try to walk to the bakery for bread.  I have forgotten it's closed on Mondays, so I return empty-handed.  Par for the course.

6:40 pm- We finally sit down to eat.  The toddler has a fork throwing incident over eating zucchini.  She never likes zucchini much, but has never thrown anything at the table.  She has to spend sometime in timeout and gets a serious talk.  After she returns to the table, she proceeds to gag on a mushroom and throw up.  This happens once every couple of months for us.  We do a quick wipe-up and press on in the meal, trying not to make much of it.  Addy finishes strong and is excited for bath time. 

7:15 pm- Bath time.  We do our normal scrubbing and playing.  Addy is much better behaved with a full belly, as is usually true.  We only struggle a little with brushing teeth, mostly with the fact that she just wants to suck off the toothpaste.  We lotion up and get some pajamas.

7:40 pm- Family night time routine commences.  We get in our bed all together and read a bible story on my Kindle Fire.  Then we pray and sing a song or two.  Addy tries to "win flies with honey"- she tries to be as cute, sweet, chatty, and cuddly as possible to delay bedtime a bit.  It almost always work to some degree.  Today is no exception.

8:00 pm- She is in bed, but cries for one last cuddle.  I oblige, savoring this time with her before she's no longer an only child.  Collin goes out to clean the outdoor play area and put the recycling on the curb (it's our week in the rotation).  I can barely put Addy back in bed with my ginormous belly.  

8:30 ish (I've lost track of time)-  Collin returns.  I read some on the Kindle and check Facebook, email, etc.  He calls our insurance about labor and delivery costs, making sure we have the international procedures straight.  We both admit we should be working on homework or studying, but are just a little too fried.  I resolve to do my homework early in the a.m.  Collin has no homework today.  I am jealous... and then I write this blog post for nostalgia's sake, hoping to preserve some memory of this season of life before everything changes again.

9:30 pm- I head to get ready for bed.  I set the alarm wondering if I can make this pregnant body roll out of bed any earlier than it must... and then the baby in my belly starts dancing, because it's his favorite time of day.  I question the plausibility of that early wake up time. :)