One thing I find challenging as a new parent is taking time to slow down and enjoy those little amazing moments. I am so often bouncing from one "must do" task to the next I forget to take pleasure in watching my amazing son or enjoying the company of my husband. Heaven forbid, the kitchen go uncleaned for a few minutes or the laundry not get folded.
Recently, I’ve started getting up earlier in the mornings. I’m developing a routine for the first time in my life. I’m not, historically, a routine person. I kind of just “go with it” usually. I’m finding that as my morning routine evolves, I feel not so rushed. Not so crazed in the mornings.
For now, here’s how the morning usually goes down:
The alarm goes off at 6:30. I grumble, hit snooze, and snuggle back in with a baby. Hit snooze a few more times the finally pry myself out of bed somewhere between 7-7:30. Put some warm layers on, turn the baby monitor on, then trudge out to the kitchen where I pour myself a nice steamy cup of coffee.
Then I make my way to the studio turning on the monitor, lights, heater, and radio. Then I will either curl up in my studio chair for a quick email check on my phone or go back to the living room to pump a meal for Toby in warmth while the frigid studio warms up a bit. After the morning fog lifts a bit, I start to ponder how I should spend my time. At the moment, it’s pretty much used getting my studio in somewhat of a working order.
This project is (thankfully) almost done. I’m hoping to eventually use this time to do a little something creative, possibly a little yoga or time on the elliptical. At about 8ish, I hear the baby wake up and I speed into the bedroom to give him a little nosh back to sleep. It’s here where I have the urge to rush again. “Hurry up and fall back to sleep baby! I have THINGS TO DO!” I have to remind myself to breath and enjoy this closeness to my son. I do so love snuggling with him in the morning when I stop and think about it. His warm little face pressed up against me. His arm draped across me. I love the days he grips one of my fingers in his little hand while he sleeps. Once he’s asleep again, I quietly get out of the bed again. Then I will usually go back to the studio. If I’m not feeling it that day I may spend some time cleaning the kitchen, do some laundry, or stuff liners in diapers. At about 9ish, I start getting ready for work. Pack lunch, prep the diaper bag, shower, get dressed. Toby usually wakes up for good around this time too so depending on when that happens, he joins me. If he wakes up, we take a breakfast break. He plays in his playpen while I make us breakfast. Usually a breakfast sandwich for me and a slice of ham and some fruit for him. Typically much of Toby’s breakfast goes to the dogs as he delights in feeding them. Then we finish getting ready and head out the door to Grandma’s house about 10.
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| coffee |
Then I make my way to the studio turning on the monitor, lights, heater, and radio. Then I will either curl up in my studio chair for a quick email check on my phone or go back to the living room to pump a meal for Toby in warmth while the frigid studio warms up a bit. After the morning fog lifts a bit, I start to ponder how I should spend my time. At the moment, it’s pretty much used getting my studio in somewhat of a working order.
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| studio - in progress but almost there! |
This project is (thankfully) almost done. I’m hoping to eventually use this time to do a little something creative, possibly a little yoga or time on the elliptical. At about 8ish, I hear the baby wake up and I speed into the bedroom to give him a little nosh back to sleep. It’s here where I have the urge to rush again. “Hurry up and fall back to sleep baby! I have THINGS TO DO!” I have to remind myself to breath and enjoy this closeness to my son. I do so love snuggling with him in the morning when I stop and think about it. His warm little face pressed up against me. His arm draped across me. I love the days he grips one of my fingers in his little hand while he sleeps. Once he’s asleep again, I quietly get out of the bed again. Then I will usually go back to the studio. If I’m not feeling it that day I may spend some time cleaning the kitchen, do some laundry, or stuff liners in diapers. At about 9ish, I start getting ready for work. Pack lunch, prep the diaper bag, shower, get dressed. Toby usually wakes up for good around this time too so depending on when that happens, he joins me. If he wakes up, we take a breakfast break. He plays in his playpen while I make us breakfast. Usually a breakfast sandwich for me and a slice of ham and some fruit for him. Typically much of Toby’s breakfast goes to the dogs as he delights in feeding them. Then we finish getting ready and head out the door to Grandma’s house about 10.
It’s still evolving but it’s working for us. I think the routine is easier on Toby too. Now if we can just get a nighttime routine. That’s a harder task.
My motivation for becoming a morning person? This face:
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| Toby |
