keeping up 20 May 2008

they say babies are early risers.  well, at least mine is, not like mommy.

but since she is an early bird, mommy needs to be one too.  it is a struggle for me every morning since i’m used to staying up late and getting up late on no-work and no-school days.  my whole new routine has changed, if there was one.  hehehe.

here’s my lil tike’s daily schedule to give you an idea:

07.00 – 07.30 am  :  wake up
07.30 – 08.30 am : breakfast (solids) +/- mommy milk << may be followed by a nap
10.00 – 10.30 am : mid-morning snack (mommy/formula milk) << may be followed by a nap
12.00 – 01.00 pm : lunch (solids) +/- mommy milk << may be followed by a nap
02.30 – 03.30 pm : bath
03.30 – 04.00 pm : mid-afternoon snack (solids) +/- mommy milk << may be followed by a nap
04.30 – 05.30 pm : watch “coffee prince” n tv *** this is A MUST insert from mommy’s schedule. heeheehee
06.00 – 07.00 pm : dinner (solids) +/- mommy milk
08.00 – 09.00 pm : bedtime +/- mommy milk

the schedule is not strict though.  naps vary from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and milk and solid feeding is between 2-4 hours.  need i mention on the frequency of nappy changes?  wag na lang.  hehehe.  almost forgot to mention, on her wakeful hours are play times with mommy and toys (also with mommy) and to practice her new found physical skills.

more or less that’s her time frame on a regular day, and this is a schedule that mommy has to keep up with.  since, i am still breasfeeding my baby, most days exclusively, i need to be available at all times.  i also, btw, feed her solid foods.

i’m one busy momma, you know.  i need not mention getting up at night to breastfeed and comfort a crying baby and the food preparation (planning, cooking and warming), the washing of feeding items, the sterilizing of bottles and all, and etc.  it’s all mommy this and mommy that.  like i said, it’s a  rewarding job, and definitely a 24/7 job.  asan ba ang daddy?  well, i don’t want to pressure daddy in these stuff, busy na sya working hard sa work eh.

i love being a hands-on mom.  a full-time mom, yes, but i also need a break, occasionally to recharge my batteries and to regain my sanity.  though, i am by nature one crazy individual, and crazy is a subjective, right?

still waiting for my baby to wake up.  ang sarap ng tulog, paikot-ikot siya sa bed kagabi.  thank goodness, no bad dreams.

you need a break! 20 May 2008

“But moms need breaks!” she says. “They need to nurture themselves so they can be better moms. Too many moms let themselves run on empty. Being a good mother also means taking care of yourself so you can give more of yourself to your children.” (Yvonne Lefort, Rediscovering Yourself in the Midst of Motherhood)

RIGHT!  need i explain more? 

if you’re too drained and exhausted, the quality of child rearing won’t be there.  the baby will notice and feel how burned out you are.  it will not be healthy for both you and the baby.  you might be surprised if you your baby shouts, “you need to rest mom!”