Routine

These are pictures of Luke blowing bubbles, which has become a regular pastime for him. He blew these bubbles this morning just before we called his great-grammy. Derek says we should get him checked for rabies. And by the way is it plain 'ol great grammy or great plain 'ol grammy? We had a nice chat with grammy and she asked if Luke was in a routine yet. I know I said I wouldn't talk about everyday things, but I thought if grammy was interested in knowing our routine, maybe others of you were too. So here it is. If it bores you, don't feel bad if you stop reading. This is not some of my most fascinating writing (in a way I am taking the easy way out today...I didn't brainstorm enough last night).

Luke wakes up around eight, I let Ally out of her crate, pick up Luke and take Ally outside. I realize this will probably have to change in the winter because it will be too cold to take Luke outside in his jammies. Then we come inside, Luke goes in his high-chair and I get myself some breakfast. We talk and laugh at eachother and sit in our sunny dining room. Just about when I'm done eating, Luke is tired of being in his chair so I pick him up and we walk around or lay on the floor looking at toys (he doesn't play with toys yet, although today he tried to put the button on my sweater in his mouth...does that count?).

Around 9am, Luke goes back to sleep for forty-five minutes or so. I rush around doing dishes, starting diapers in the laundry, making phone calls. If I'm really tired I go back to bed too. When Luke wakes up he eats, we rock in the rocking chair in his room and talk and then get ready to go to gramma's house(which means diaper change, put on some clothes-if we feel like it-today he's still in his jammies).

Close to eleven we head over to Harv and Helene's and I write in my blog, edit some pictures, check my email, and Luke sits in his favorite swing and often falls asleep while I type. Sometimes we have lunch with Helene and sometimes we rush home to have lunch with Derek if he's working nearby and can make it home to eat. After lunch, and after a nap if one happens to be needed, we go run errands. Some days that means going to the grocery store. Sometimes we need to go to the post office or the library. Every now and then we need to go to Wal-Mart to get photos developed. Our favorite errand is buying Derek a toblerone and delivering it to him at work as a special treat.

When we get home Luke eats again and I read my book while he eats (and I usually have a snack about now too). Then Luke takes a little nap and I switch the laundry, try to do a few little household things like start dinner or clean the floor. It doesn't take long for five o'clock to come around and Derek is home! Derek showers while I finish dinner and feed the baby. We all sit around the dinner table together and talk about the day and eat. After the dishes are done we all sit around and read while Luke eats.

The last part of the evening is spent with Luke getting a bath, a massage, put in his jammies, eating and then going to bed. He often sleeps from 9:30 to 3, but last night he slept until 4:30! 7 hours! He eats, gets a diaper change and goes back to bed until the routine starts all over again!

It is such a relief to know sort of what to expect during the day (and night!). It also feels really good to know how to soothe Luke and put him to sleep. I feel like I'm getting better at being a mom - at least being Luke's mom. Having a routine makes both of us a little less crazy. And after getting seven hours of sleep last night I am truly beginning to feel like a normal person again.

For tomorrow: who does Luke look like? conversations and reflections