You can find other day in the life and motherhood-focused posts under the motherhood tab.
These are some of my favorite posts to read (of others) and to write (myself). I always find myself waiting for a “normal” kind of day to snap pictures for, but I finally realized there is no normal day. Every single day is different, so yesterday morning on a whim, I thought, let me start snapping and see what the day brings… and here is how it went down.
5:15 am: My alarm goes off. I turn it off and take a deep breath before rolling out of bed. Koda jumps up with me, gives a good ear shake, and the day begins. I drink 2 cups of water, feed Koda and let her out, make a cup of coffee and head to the office to reply to emails that I’ve accidentally let pile up.
6:45 am: I realize I’m down to 15 minutes before the girls get up, so I rush to my room to get dressed then off to the kitchen to blend up a smoothie for all of us. I pack it full of all the good stuff, hit blend and the darn thing starts smoking. The smell is wretched.
This is the second day in a row it has happened (I’m a slow learner) and seeing all the burnt rubber pieces has me scribbling ‘call Blendtec’ to the bottom of my to-do list.
7:05 am: Hailey comes bounding down stairs proclaiming she saw the 7 on her clock (when she is allowed to get up) We go get Kaitlyn together, who is sitting in her crib “reading” her books. I help both girls get dressed and we’re back in the kitchen where we share two breakfast burritos and two cereal bars.
7:45 am: We actually make it out the door on time(ish) and head to Burn Boot Camp. It’s a killer stack workout kind of day, with a finisher that included running laps. I can’t remember the last time I’ve sweated so much. Daniel is such an awesome trainer and the energy in the room is electric!
9:15 am: The girls and I have almost an hour to burn before our women’s group, and of course we all want a snack. We head to Healthy Home Market in Davidson. I order a green juice (kale, celery, cucumber, lemon, ginger and apple) and tell Hailey she can pick out whatever she wants. She picks out vanilla cookies. Go figure. We share it all. Balance?
10:15 am: The girls and I arrive at my eGroup. I love this weekly meeting. The group of women is incredible and the next hour and a half passes full of stimulating conversation about motherhood, God, struggles, triumphs, day to day life and plenty of laughter. Plus I get the cutest smiles from baby Chase. Swoon.
12:00 pm: I head home feeling inspired, rejuvenated…. and hungry.
12:30 pm: I get both girls settled at the table with lunch, and chat with them while I make mine.
Not meal planning this week is killing me. I hate not knowing what I have for meals and everything ends up being so random. Not that random is bad. Chicken sausage and kraut, spinach salad and chips with hummus.
1:00 pm: I read to Kaitlyn and put her down for her nap. Hailey takes off to play quietly in the playroom (“rest time”) while I run to shower.
1:45 pm: My sitter shows up. I rush to finish getting dressed, then Hailey and I jump in the car to head to her dance class.
I’ve learned the hard way that toting Kaitlyn along during her nap time just doesn’t work well for either one of us so I try to avoid it when I can. This gives me an hour to watch Hailey dance (LOVE) and serves as a tea date with one of my favorite friends. Jodi and I chat nonstop while we watch the girls arabesque around the room.
3:15 pm: I drop Hailey back at home, then turn right back around. For a brief moment I debate heading straight to the nail place for a much needed/ overdue pedicure, but alas, responsibility trumps it and I chomp on an apple and head to the DMV.
I guess I should specify I drive to the tag office first (rookie mistake) then drive down the road to the correct DMV where I’m told it is an hour and a half wait. Again, I debate leaving, but after getting pulled over last week for an expired licence AND tag (so much for all that responsibility talk…) I decide I need to clean up my mess, so I sit.
4:45 pm: I pass the test and leave the DMV once again legal to drive. Then it’s on to get a car inspection. Being an adult is fun.
Is anyone still reading? Snoooooooze.
5:40 pm: After a long mental debate between grabbing take out or cooking, then realizing we are out of garbage bags, I settle on a quick swing through the grocery store.
6:00 pm: I’m home in time to make the girls a gourmet dinner.
6:30 pm: Bath time! Minimal squabbling over the same bath toys makes for a rather enjoyable experience. I move things along by asking who wants to be FIRST to get out? Which is met with demanding and enthusiastic Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee(s). They pick out matching jammies and we move on to brushing teeth.
6:50 pm: I read Kaitlyn a book and give into her demand to nurse, which ends up being less than 3 minutes before she is asleep. Then I head to Hailey’s room, where we read two books before calling for lights out.
7:20 pm: Glass of wine time while I get to work on dinner.
TANGENT ALERT.
On my phone I watched/listened to Taboo Mommy Talk with Colleen and Stephanie. You can watch the hour long blab here. I was really interested to hear their thoughts on motherhood. I was curious to see if they’d be different from mine, as both are so open about motherhood not defining them, which I totally respect, but meanwhile I’m over here loving my current stage of life with my mommy amnesia and all. They mentioned being judged for saying that it isn’t all rainbows and butterflies, while I’m over here sometimes wondering if I’m being judged because I do gush about all the rainbows I see (not to be confused with things being perfect all the time).
What I found, as I often do when people think they have differing opinions, is that when you sit down to talk about it, we are all much more on the same page than we think. Stephanie and Colleen were so funny and honest and it felt very similar to conversations that go down in my weekly play groups. The internet is weird because I totally found myself saying, oh yeah, we’d be great friends! It was super enjoyable to watch and I hope to be able to watch live next Tuesday when Courtney sits down with Colleen for a blab!
OK, where was I?
8:00 pm: YAY, this stud is home!
8:30 pm: Plenty of chitty chat about our days and other items we need to discuss. One of my favorite parts of the day, and not just because we devour some guacamole.
9:30 pm: I won’t even lie. We’re in bed. SNOOZE!
And that’s a day in a (long, chatty) nutshell.
Did you watch the blab? Thoughts?
What is your favorite part of your days?
Did I leave anything out?
sherry says
Love hearing about your day! I’m debating on drinking one of those green things if it will give me the energy you have! Just finished one of the breakfast burritos (I did not share :()
John J. says
That’s a lot packed into a day! I’m exhausted after reading this. Kudos to you. Think I’ll have another cup of coffee!
Heather says
That seems to be a lot for one day! My favorite part of the day is when I pick the kids up from school (from the time I walk into the daycare to the time we walk in the door at home). The smiles, laughter and hugs I am greeted with are awesome. And there is no hurry or rush, the drive takes the same length of time each day, so I get to hear about E’s day and hear her and Will laugh in the backseat. it is just the perfect time even though it only lasts for 20 minutes before the crazy starts again!
Kate says
Wow, what a productive day! And absolutely love your outfit during H’s dance session.
I didn’t catch the blab, but now I’m definitely curious to watch it.
Personally, I think that the great thing about our time (and our part of the world) is that we (women) actually get to choose. If we want to stay at home with the kids, we are free to do so and if we want to have kids and a career we have the means to do so as well. I don’t think that one or the other is better per se. Neither do I think that acknowledging you fall in the sahm (and loving it) category or the working mom (and loving it) category is a taboo (and it certainly shouldn’t be)! It’s simply stating who you are and what is best for you and your family. Because that’s what it boils down to: that one or the other path is better for you personally.
Sarah says
Omg, what a busy day! I’m impressed that you went from one thing to another and you didn’t skip a beat – Burn Bootcamp, your womens club, back home, dance class, then going to the crazy DMV and the grocery store, AND doing dinner, baths, and bed for the girls all on your own! Wow, you deserve a mommy award. π I would have been totally exhausted and just ordered takeout for myself by 7:30 pm. Lol.
On another note, you should splurge for the Vitamix. I know it’s very expensive, but I promise you it will change your life forever!
Liz says
What does David do for work? Have you ever shared that on the blog or have you decided not to? Just curious cause I noticed the scrubs and both my husband and I are medical π Thankfully, I work longer but fewer shifts, and my husband is usually home by 4-5pm, or earlier somedays. I’m going to have to watch that Taboo Mom Talk! I’m due in a month and have talked about not wanting to feel like being a mom is what defines me, so I’m curious to watch it! Sad day for your Blendtec! I have a Vitamix and feel like I can hear it grinding a lot, but it works fine. I should figure out if I need to do anything in the next 5 years before my 7 year warranty runs out! You are super productive! I’m impressed! I don’t have kids and I’d be exhausted if I ever did that much in a day!
Josephine sharpe says
Funny I always wonder that too when I see pictures of David in scrubs. I found it confusing because Brittany had talked about David spending a lot of time in the car and packing snacks in his car, so I always wonder what he does!
Heather says
Sounds like a jam-packed day! I probably would have flopped on the couch after the girls went to bed – ha ha! My favorite part of the day is definitely picking the kids up after work. Nothing beats those hugs and smiles and excited greetings, especially considering how difficult drop off can be on certain days.
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
I watched the blab on behalf of my BFF who has an adorable 3 month old boy. She’s a young mom (25) and it’s been a struggle for her to decide what she wants to do, and she loved hearing it. Basically, nobody should judge anyone else for doing the best they can for who they are and for what their family needs!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Brittany youβre looking adorable! And I absolutely love that Hailey is in dance class. I did it when I was her age, and it was so much fun! And your day is NOT boring. I love reading about your family. π
Kate says
So little time, so much to do! My boss leads an e-group and she is always talking about it. It’s great things like that exist.
I think it is so cute Hailey got out bed because she saw a 7. So cute!
Kathy says
Whew!! π Love all the pictures too!!
Holly says
I love day in the life posts, thanks! My kids are the same age as yours so that makes it extra fun.
Josephine sharpe says
Loved reading your post, you are soo busy! makes me realise I should find some things for myself outside the house like how you have boot camp and a women’s group. Especially now My daughter does nursery school 3 days a week. I’m finding being at home now a bit lonely when she isn’t here.
Nicole says
What a busy, busy day! But it sounds like it’s lots of fun with lots of things to look forward too.
Jennifer says
I love posts like this as well, it’s fun getting a glimpse into another mother’s crazy life (ha!). I look forward to your posts!
Grandma Honey says
I love that YOU love being a mother!
Kim says
Love these!
I have a 9.5 month old. I’m home with her on T/Th (work and grad school on M/W/F) and have been debating setting an alarm for myself on my off days with her so I can get ready for the day before she is up. It’s nice to get the extra rest when she sleeps late (we both slept till 8am today! ) but I know the day would go a lot smoother if I woke before she did and accomplished some tasks before she’s up for the day.
Thank you for motivating me!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Dang, girl! I don’t know how you get it all done. Your day seems so jam packed and non stop. It seems like David gets home so late. Does he have a normal schedule or works ton of overtime? If he works tons of OT then does he get a good amount of time off? Just curious!
Liz says
Woah that’s a busy day!! I’m a SAHM with a 15 month old and a 3 year old and I’m impressed with myself if we get out of the house once or twice a day! That’s nice that your sister came to babysit so you could take Hailey to dance and run your errands. Taking the kids to the DMV, no thanks!! I can’t wait until my little one drops his morning nap, I feel like we will have more time for activities! My favorite part of the day is when my husband comes home. He works 7-4, so it’s wonderful that he’s able to be home while I make dinner and to help give the kiddos baths, etc!
Liz says
Oh, and I wanted to add that it really amazes me that your girls don’t watch tv at all!!! We have fallen into a terrible habit of watching a few shows every morning while I have coffee, do dishes, get laundry going, and prep for dinner. I feel like I NEED that time, but I don’t love that the tv is on and that the kids have come to expect it. I’m hoping when my 3 year old goes to preschool in the fall we can break the habit!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
My Blendtec has been acting up and smoking recently too (at least when I used it over winter break before coming back to college)! It was so strange and it smelled terrible.
Anyway, love these day in the life posts π
Cassie says
I can totally relate that every day is completely different from the next. I also think – especially on the internet – it’s easy to judge others. I think moms in particular have a hard time appreciating that if someones chooses a different way to parent that this isn’t judgement, it’s just we’re all different and need different things. I know I’m careful about what I say in front of my sister because we parent very differently, but she takes it kind of personally sometimes. I don’t think she’s wrong. She’s just not me. And her baby is not my baby. So it makes sense that we’ll make different decisions. Different, not wrong. I wish women could support each other in all their decisions more… especially moms! We’re all doing the best we know how to do. We don’t need others giving us the stink eye.
Elizabeth says
You look great! I want you to bottle up your energy and send it over to me!
do you happen to now if Burn Bootcamp is expanding to other states?
Brittany Dixon says
They are expanding! Right now they are in NC, SC, FL, WI, Toronto and I know GA is coming soon. You can see all growing locations on their website- http://burnbootcamp.com/locations/