Day In A Life (For A Stay-At-Home Mumpreneur With Two Kids And A Newborn)
When Justina of Mum In The Making suggested a Day In The Life blog train back in August, I thought why not, it’ll be fun see how my life has changed since my last entry. And boy, had it reaaaally changed!
Silly silly me. What I had not considered was how much time the newborn would be stuck at my breasts and how little time I would have left for myself, let alone documenting my day. I should know since he isn’t my first baby but an optimist is me! Which got me into the pickle that I’m in at the moment. Deadlines of commissioned articles to write, research to do, clients to handle, home errands to run, this post and oh, the kids. Yes, always the kids.
Anyway, let me try hashing this day in my life post out real quick. Forgive me if the timing and details are iffy for I’m surviving with little sleep and it’s pretty amazing that I’m still able to type.
4.30am / 6:00am / 7:30am is when I’m actually awake enough to check/change the baby’s diaper and feed him back to sleep. Any earlier feed – I’m basically stuffing my breast into his mouth in my sleep. I barely remember those feeds, let alone the timing.
9:45am is when I dragged myself out of the room to say goodbye to Lauren. My helper takes her to preschool every morning while I stay home with Georgia and Will. This is also when I brush my teeth and pile on skincare products on my face in attempts to delay ageing.
Georgia is extremely fond of her baby brother. I can’t really accomplish much during this time except trying to fend her off and saving Will from being crushed by her smothering kisses and diving hugs.
11:00am is when my helper comes back home. Yay! I can finally have a breather and have a cup of yogurt / an apple / bircher muesli / peanut butter toast for breakfast. Before you say, wah so healthy, I top it up with dry Milo throughout the day. I need the sugar!
1:00pm:Â I plan our daily meals and these days I use Honestbee to deliver my grocery. Gone are the days when I get to leisurely browse the shopping aisle. I guess I could still do that but I just can’t be arsed carrying heavy grocery home all by myself.
Lunch is cooked by my helper and she leaves to pick Lauren up from school. I’m left alone again with 2 little humans. I feed Georgia while nursing baby Will. He is plonked on the nursing pillow on my lap leaving my hands free to feed her sister.
2:00 – 6:00pm:Â Lauren comes home and we have lunch together. This is when I go out for events or meetings with sponsors or clients, which is pretty rarely these days because I have a milk monster who needs my boobs every two hours. Also, engorgement isn’t fun!
I realised there isn’t a photo of me looking decent in this post. So I’m sneaking this one in, taken that one time when I scrubbed up for a pampering day out. Mummy needed a break! Full review up soon!
If i’m home, it is mostly work, work, work with pauses in between to attend to whichever child screams the loudest. On a good day, Georgia naps and Lauren entertains herself while I work. The baby? He hangs out in his cot and hollers when he needs milk.
Otherwise, we’ll have one big party on my bed. That’s the only way I can have all kids within arm’s reach and answer my emails at the same time.
6pm: Lauren and Georgia get a bit restless at this point from being caged at home, so I release them into the wild! Off to “Mr Swing” we go. And when Mr Swing can’t go any faster than we tell him to, we just run around chasing birds. Sometimes my helper takes over this important activity while I have some quiet time with Will.
7:30 – 8:30pm is when we have our dinner. Nothing fancy. Usually rice with 3 dishes or pasta or our staple, grilled chicken with vegetables.
8:30pm to 10:00pm is when we spend time as a family. The scene is familiar every night. Nick and I sitting on the couch with baby Will either asleep or nursing on my lap. The girls running around the couch, chasing or hitting each other, or belting out songs repeatedly like a broken record, or putting on some shows for Nick’s and my amusement.
10:00pm is when I send both girls to bed. I lay down with Lauren for about 10 to 15 minutes before she falls asleep while Georgia knocks herself out with a bottle of milk. Not literally. I’m sure you know what I mean.
10:30pm to 12/1am is parents’ party time!!!!!!! Nah… it’s when we finally have some peace and quiet to watch some quality tv shows (The Bachelor, anyone??) or work on our respective computers while snacking on stuff we’ve been hiding from the kids. These times are gold for our sanity, people. Seriously, I only watch The Bachelor/Bachelorette when the intellectual stuff like House of Cards and Homeland are off-season. I know you are already judging me.
I go to bed between 12 to 1am, which is about now. Good night and thanks for reading!
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This post is part of the Day in a Life blog train hosted by Mum in the Making. Click on the button below to take a peek into a day in a life of other mummies!
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Next on the DIAL blog train is Estella. Estella is mama to 5 year old Joy and an aspiring minimalist, she writes on Estella.Sg about simplifying daily life and life experiences (here’s her blog manual). Estella runs a small business selling hand crafted mineral make up and make up brushes on ESOD. She loves to photograph and is an occasional singer/host.
Tell me, what is YOUR favourite time of the day? I’d love to hear!
HELLO! I’M MICHELLE.
Find out more about me here.
What a full day! It’s amazing how you juggle work plus a newborn and two littles! And I loved that shot of Will sleeping next to you. He’s such a sweetheart! Thank you for sharing your day despite your super busy schedule!
Thanks for having me on the blog train, Jus. I’m glad I did this. I’m sure I’ll look back on these days fondly when the kids are grown up 🙂
Phew!! 24 hours are not enough for mums to finish everything in between checking kids, food, work, home and errands.. Enjoyes reading your day.
I think we would still say we don’t have enough time even if we get 48 hours a day. I’m taking each day as it comes. Thanks for stopping by, Pooja!
Moms are God!! Seriously, we can do so much work at the same time. Kudos to you and love to your trio.
Thanks for stopping by, Shub. We do what we can! 🙂
Thanks for sharing! It’s amazing how you can squeeze in so many things into 24 hours! It’s good that you are finding so much meaning in this. It’s important.
You’re welcome, David. I don’t feel like I’ve done a lot at all. I’m always shifting ‘things-to-do’ to the next day. But yes, knowing what is important and be mindful of how we spend our time is key to contentment.
What a full day… let’s keep reminding ourselves its just a phase!!! They will grow up soon… I’m still breastfeeding baby Skye 😂
Enjoy each precious moments with the lil ones 😊
Jamie Chaw,
(http://karmie080808.blogspot.sg/)
I can totally relate to the night feeds..lolz! Am glad that my boy has started to sttn aft he turned 1 but still can’t bear to wean him off..keep fighting, Mummy!!
Mums are just simply awesome!!! And you’re amazing too in the way you juggle your 24 hours. Way to go!!!
Thanks Winnie.
I was reading your blog halfway when I realised I haven’t got my groceries ordered when I read about honestbee HAHAHA. Will is looking superbly adorable!
Glad my post helped in one way or the other! Hahaha!
Can’t believe you are almost back in shape at lightning speed. Oh, I like that part on secret snacking. Me too! 😛
Secret snacking is my favorite part of the day!
Good job you have a helper – it sounds like you really need her! Wow what a busy day, I’m amazed you are managing to get through it all. Well done, awesome lady. You have a beautiful family, by the way. #FamilyFun
Thanks for your kind words, Carol. Yes, I’m glad I live in this part of the world where hired help is still affordable.
You’re really killing it as a mum of 3!!! 🙂
Ai @
Sakura Haruka
Sounds like a busy day! Such loooong hours, well done you. Loving your pictures. Thanks for linking up to #familyfun!
Thanks for stopping by, Karen! ????
Thanks for taking time to write this. I remember the days when my three were so little, and I’m incredibly impressed by your insights. You have a beautiful family. It will go by quickly. I know you treasure them at this stage, even though you’re probably exhausted some days. You and your writing are appreciated! Have a wonderful week. I’m glad I found your site.
As much as I complain about not getting enough sleep and trying to juggle everything, I know I’m blessed and I love being mum to my kids. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Mary. I really appreciate it ????
No choice. I do what I can! Haha.
Wow that sounds like a long day and you do get a lot into it. I think when we in new baby stage we rarely made it out of the house let alone meetings and parks ha. Good on you and thanks for sharing at #familyfun xx