So you might have heard there was some snow in the south yesterday? It started here in Charlotte around 2pm.
I was so grateful that David was able to make it home by 4, when things really started to pick up. I felt a big sigh of relief until I checked out my facebook and became aware of the total chaos that was happening in Atlanta. The entire city was gridlocked. My SIL spent a good 5 or 6 hours in the car before having to abandon it to walk to pick up my niece. My brother spent maybe 9 or 10 hours in the car before also having to abandon it to walk to a friendβs parentsβ house for the night. They are not alone. The stories are insane, but luckily so are the stories of people reaching out to help one another. My thoughts and prayers go out to those that are still trying to get home.
This post may seem out of place, since I took the pictures on Monday, when the day reached almost 60 and sunny (thatβs the Carolinas for ya!), but it is what it is.
I love looking back on the day in the life posts, especially as my due date gets closer, and since itβs been a while, here is a peek into our days right now while Hailey is 2 years old (28 months) in {WIAW} styleβ¦
My alarm goes off at 6:11am. After a few minutes to adjust, I get up, grab coffee or tea, let Koda out and feed her then head to the computer. Iβm there until 8am when I decide we need to get moving for the day. I make it up to Haileyβs room around 8:15am and find her happily reading books to the abundance of dolls and other junk that she insists on having in her crib.
Sheβs in no rush to get up, so I let her read for another minute before coercing her with promises of breakfast. She grabs her βbabyβ and her βbaby bearβ and I carry her downstairs.
I get to work on breakfast while she plays big sister to her baby. I need to find a doll-sized car seat- any suggestions?
We sit down and eat a leisurely breakfast together.
By leisurely, I mean slow. Hailey really has forced taught me to slow down and not rush through the days. The mornings are prime example. We move at a slothβs pace through our routine, but to listen to her mind work is great. Sheβs so funny now. I am soaking up as many of these slow-moving mornings as I can, before life gets crazy in May.
After breakfast we move to brushing teeth and getting dressed. I wash Haileyβs face; she washes babyβs. Repeat for every step of getting ready.
By 10am, we are at the gym.
I get in a workout while Hailey plays with her friends. She really enjoys it but now I at least get the excited run-to-mom-with-smiles-and-hugs when I pick her up. She used to ignore me and not want to leave. Heart warming.
Running is her thing now, and we run to the car. We stop at Target because somehow there is always something we need at Target, then head home.
While I make lunch, Hailey watches 1 episode of Curious George and 1 episode of Peg + Cat. The PBS Kids channel on Roku is awesome. The shows are 12.5 minutes long, which is perfect! She feels like she is watching two shows and I get 25 minutes of peaceful lunch prep.
We eat lunch together outside. What a tease for spring! Oh, and she eats all three of my shrimp. Not cool, kid.
After lunch, we read 2-3 books in her room, then she is in her crib for nap by 1:15.
I realize lunch didnβt hold me, so I grab a snack while I spend the next hour in the kitchen working on Fridayβs WCCB segment recipe.
By 2:30, my feet ache, so I grab my computer and kick them up on the couch.
I notice Hailey still hasnβt gone to sleep yet. Some days she sleeps for 3 solid hours. Others, she plays in her crib. Though I prefer her to sleep, as long as she is quiet, Iβm ok with it. She finally falls asleep around 3.
I get a text from some friends that they are nearby. I tell them to come on over and I wake Hailey up at 4pm.
Alison and I chat while our girls play in the driveway. They leave around 4:45 and we still have time to kill, so we head for an βadventure walk.β The lake is down, leaving a vast βbeachβ to explore. We go back and forth a number of times, only stopping to briefly swing.
At 5:30 we head inside. I tell Hailey Iβm SO hungry, so she gets to work cooking me something and I actually get to savor about 15 minutes of quiet magazine reading.
At 6pm, I head to the kitchen to make her dinner. I grab a cup of tea and snack on extra cheese and carrots.
We hear the garage. Hooray! Daddy is home early! Hailey gets very excited about this.
At 6:35, itβs off to shower. No more baths around here anymore. Shower, lotion and pajamas, then Hailey gives me a big hug and kiss before heading to her room with daddy around 7. They read and I listen to the giggles (melt my heart) while I get to work on our dinner.
Dinner is usually ready around 7:45 or 8:00. David and I chat for a while before eating dinner in our usual spot.
We will get to family dinners at the table soon enough, but for now, pregnant feet prefer the couch.
I look forward to seeing the chaos that having two kiddos will bring, but for now, Iβm appreciating the predictability of our routine and soaking up all of what age two brings. Itβs tiring at times, but so much fun.
Do your days follow a predictable pattern?
Iβm a creature of habit and routine and that seems to work for Hailey, too, so our days are all pretty similar in layout!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Our days are pretty similar, and fairly predictable as well. Although I miss the days of 3 hours in the crib in the afternoon! And we’ve also moved on to showers, although every once in awhile she’ll request a bath to play and splash around for awhile. Yes, we have to soak up these lovely, predictable days for a few more months before they’re gone! π
Lee says
It is a MESS in Atlanta. I am so glad that I am on maternity leave and my husband took the day off. I know people that were also stranded in their cars for upwards of 8 hours.
Katie D. says
Glad to see that my hubby and I aren’t the only ones that eat in the living room. It is way more comfy and cozy than the dining room table. Once we get to “family” meals, we’ll make the switch!
My aunt lives in Chattanogga and was on the road for 8 hours (a typical 45 min drive), plus walked up the mountain (foothill) to her house for another 2 miles before making it home.
Heather @ What Does She Do All Day? says
We have a pretty predictable routine, too, though today it’s thrown off by a two hour delay at school. Unfortunately that puts Cupcake at school right during lunch, so we’ll have to have an early lunch today.
I, too, love the PBS Kids channel on the Roku. Peg + Cat and Daniel Tiger help me prep meals and get a shower when my non-napper is home.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
I’m glad you’re all safe! It’s CRAZY in the south!! Stay warm π
Lauren B. says
Our routine is usually pretty predictable with room for flexibility, but Jackson just transitioned from 2 naps to 1, so we are a little off. Sometimes he takes a 3 hour nap and sometimes it’s only an hour and a half. I know it will become more consistent, and I’m praying it ends up on the 3-hour nap routine!!
I love these kind of posts! Have a great day!
Brittany Dixon says
The transitions are the toughest times! We have a couple big ones coming soon, including transitioning to the big girl bed, so I’m dragging my feet because I really hate to rock the boat. Fingers crossed it goes more smoothly than I think and that you start getting those consistent 3 hour naps! π
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Two sounds like such a fun age! And I have to believe with kids (of any age) consistency is key! Even I prefer consistent M-F routines. I get so thrown off when someone asks me if I want to go to happy hour on a Wednesday (of course I say yes, but still…).
Brittany Dixon says
Haha, I know the feeling! I’ll have a friend ask to hang out on a week night sometimes and it’s such a foreign concept to me because I’m so stuck in routine. I always have a good time when I go, but sometimes I just get too sucked into my little world.
Jen says
I love this age too! π Our days are pretty similar.
Ugh Atlanta. My brother abandoned his car too and walked 4 hours to get home. Of course there was no cell service for awhile too so his fiance was freaking out and so were we. I feel so bad for everyone still stranded!
Tatum @ Eats From The Oil Patch Blog says
Sounds like we could all learn a lesson from Miss Hailey and slow down a bit! I have really started working on this for my breakfast – waking up an hour early sipping my coffee slowly and doing some blog reading before I have to get ready for real life π
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
I love reading about other people’s days!! It’s one of my favorite types of posts to read. My days are not at all the same, but my weeks are generally similar (Tuesdays are similar, Thursdays are similar, etc.) π
I am obsessed with Connor’s age right now too. I love that we can play together and that he can also do things on his own, like watch shows or play with his trucks, etc. One of my favorite things is when he is playing really hard and in his own little world. Sometimes I’ll just watch and smile. π
Brittany Dixon says
I do the same thing! I’ll just sometimes find myself staring at her while she plays. It’s amazing how quickly they become little people isn’t it?
Sabrina says
Your day is so different from mine. I don’t even know what to say. Your life sounds so peaceful and not chaotic at all. Playing for almost 2 hours in crib before nap? Reading a magazine? Exercising in an actual gym? Kid who eats shrimp?
I can. not. comprehend. I’m going to share my day in the life soon so you can understand just how different my life is even though our oldest kids are the same age.
Side note – I love the old school cabbage patch kids in Hailey’s crib. Also, she sleeps with no pillow? Raffi has insisted on a pillow and comforter for almost a year now.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh Sabrina, wait until May when I’m sleep deprived and begging for sanity tips! Don’t forget, I only have 1 right now π
She doesn’t use a pillow or a real blanket (just blankies), but that will change soon when she moves to her big girl room (GULP). I’m dragging my feet because I know transitions rock the boat and I really like our schedule right now.
Ali says
Our days are starting to follow a more predictable schedule as far as nap times and bedtime. Now that he’s eating solids for 3 meals a day, that helps too. We do lots of different activities every day though in between these times. I can’t believe Atlanta – that’s crazy! My prayers go out to them.
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
Our daily routine is very similar to yours. Guess two is the “sloth” phase π We started family dinners awhile back but there are definitely nights I wish we got to enjoy our dinners alone again. on the weekends sometimes we’ll feed and put him to bed earlier so we can enjoy a quiet dinner. Oh and my husband does shower, bedtime with my son too! Love that I get to rest and enjoy alone time during that 30 minutes or so π
Heather says
We definitely have predictable days. Since both my husband and I work full-time we have to have a routine to make sure we all get out the door on time and so that evenings run smoothly. It feels all too hectic most days, but maybe one day that will change. We try to stick to a similar routine on weekends as well, but everyone usually wakes up a little later and we’re more laid-back or there will be errands to run or something fun to do spontaneously (not so much now with cold weather and a newborn, but this Summer, I’m sure).
Kimberly @ Healthy Strides says
Glad to hear everyone is OK! I’ve been astounded by the stories coming from the south. Mother Nature is not messing around this year.
I love reading about the cuteness that is little girls. Hailey cooks you dinner and washes her doll, and Miles is blasting me because he’s Ironman!
Brittany Dixon says
I think being blasted by Ironman sounds pretty darn cute too π
Marie says
Our days look very similar even though I’m at an office all day – I see so many patterns. The morning with the baby routine made me smile as we do it – every. single. day. My MIL bought her a Graco baby seat for her “baby doll” that we use each morning to lug “baby doll” to the car with us for the drive to “school”. Cute post!! Looking forward to Day in the Life with TWO!
Caitlin says
This was a fun post to read! I love how much Hailey loves to play by doing things that you do – take care of a kid, cook, etc. Now you have to teach her to want to vacuum and sweep! π
Tiffany says
I love seeing these day in the life posts – particularly since our kids are so close in age (my daughter is almost 2.5). There are definitely some similarities (including the need to take a shower not a bath! so funny!), but I am SO jealous of her sleep schedule. My daughter now goes to sleep between 8 and 8:30pm and still wakes up at 5:30 or 6am! Every child is different so I don’t want to scare you, but she used to sleep SO much better when she was in her crib. We moved her almost 2 months ago to prepare for her baby sister’s arrival (due in March) and it definitely threw things for a loop. Our once 12 hr sleeper now wakes up at least once a night EVERY night and comes in our room! Baby #2 will be staying in her crib as long as possible after this rough transition. π
Brittany Dixon says
I appreciate the heads up! I hear that is often the case, which is why I’m happily dragging my feet π Still, I think we will be switching her in the next week or two so wish me luck! I know there are so many adjustments ahead and the odds of getting TWO good sleepers is slim. Guess I’ll just enjoy my zzz’s while I can haha!
I’m so excited for you- only a month or so left!! You’re so close π
John J. says
What a wonderful recount of a day well lived with a precious child!
Marjorie says
I love these day in the life posts! Hailey is just too precious. And what a big girl graduating to showers over baths! I am hoping she will be a good helper for you come May. π
Amanda says
My day sounds so much like yours π And isn’t it such a blessing that kiddos teach us to slow down a bit??? Some days it is a challenge though! Loving the tip on the PBS Roku channel — will certainly have to check it out! π
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
That’s quite the day!
Julie@teachinggoodeaters says
I love that your daughter is teaching you to slow down! I recently realized that I am go-go-go and don’t slow down to eat real meals at all (except dinner.) Yesterday, I challenged myself to eat what and when my kids eatβ¦ I actually sat down at the table for breakfast, snack and lunch! It was nice to slow down a bit (of course the house was a disasterβ¦ but that’s a different matter all together!)
Chantal says
Sounds a lot like our routine! Though we watch way too much TV these days.
Sarah (SHU) says
Not gonna lie- I am sooooooooo jealous of how much H sleeps! a goes down at 730pm and is basically always up by 6, often before. And sadly she isn’t as content to play in the crib! Maybe we need to put a few books in there and have the window shades open?! It’s a mixed blessing bc I get more time w her … But when #2 arrives in a few weeks (or less π ) I think I might implode!!
Susan says
I love reading these day-in-the-life posts, especially from fellow mommies! My son will be 2.5 in a few weeks, and I love getting a sneak peek at how other moms plan out their days with similarly aged kids.
BTW, your pasta (spaghetti squash?) looks so delicious!
char eats greens says
Ours is usually pretty predictable around here for Nia, but with the weather these days, I don’t really get out of the house much, so I cannot wait for spring! I think I’ll be happy when we move down to one longer nap in the afternoon because with the morning nap, it feels like the morning flashes by in the blink of the eye and I never get anything accomplished before it’s time for her to nap!!
Stephanie says
I’m sure someone already told you, but you can find doll carseats at Target in the toy section for fairly cheap! You can also get a highchair, crib & stroller if you don’t have those already!
Good Luck!
Brittany Dixon says
I did not know that! I’ll be checking them out soon, though- thank you! π