Routine

It's been about 6 1/2 months...and we have fallen into a pretty regular routine.

Wake up between 6:30 and 7:15 am
Play on mom & dad's bed until 7:45 am
Sit in the bumbo on the kitchen counter playing with his sippy cup or a spoon while I do the dishes until 8:00 am
Eat breakfast - solids followed by a bottle by about 8:15 am
Play in activity center or on the floor with Stella until about 9:00 am (when he starts to get scrumply)
Nap for about 2 hours (shower and cleaning and some internet surfing) until 11:00 am
Bottle for lunch followed by playing and usually 1 long walk or multiple short walks (especially since he has been teething and outside is his only truly happy place)
Bottle around 2:00 pm which he usually falls asleep while eating
Nap for about another 2 hours until 4:00 - 4:30 pm
Head up to the twin's house to play with Karis for a little while
Dinner at 5:30 pm - more solids followed by another bottle
Play with Karis' toys or outside with the neighbors until Kirk gets home (around 6:30 pm)
Cook dinner while Kirk plays with Cohen, eat dinner around 7:15 pm (Cohen usually takes a little before bed catnap while we eat for about 30-45 minutes, which is awesome because it means we get to eat hot food and eat it together!)
Change into PJ's and have last bottle between 8:00 - 8:30 pm
Asleep in crib by 8:45 pm
Kirk and I clean/watch netflix/chat/ etc until 10:30 ish pm
REPEAT

Sometimes we mix it up with trips to Target/grocery store, grandparent's houses, friend's houses for play dates/much needed conversation with adults and bath time. BUT, overall it's pretty much the same. Although I am thankful for the routine because it actually lets me know when I will be able to have 'me' time and get things done, I worked in an office setting for the last 9+ years. I had great (and sometimes heated) conversation with coworkers and friends, was challenged by demanding tasks and what seemed like impossible deadlines. I worked my butt of to create a great reputation among those I worked with and evolved my position to an awesome salary that was probably higher than industry standard, BUT that I totally deserved. I gave all of me to that job, and now I am giving all of me to my little man. It feels good, it feels right.

But I will admit, it feels monotonous at times. I find such genuine worth in being home with him, in seeing all of his firsts when they actually happen, in comforting him every time he is sad and laughing with him every time he is joyful. But, it's not where I find all of my worth. Maybe it was instilled in me from my mother, but I am a worker bee. I want to work. I want to earn a pay check. I want to be in a social setting. I want to challenge myself with a group of people I can learn from.

Time to start sprucing up the old resume. Come this time January I will be hitting the pavement internet/recruiters searching for a new job. Maybe part time at first to ease into being away from the nugget instead of going cold turkey. Here's to enjoying and savoring my time alone home with him in December.