A typical day of the SAHM

I haven't had much to blog about recently as I figure only exciting things should be shared right? Maybe not. A few weeks ago I was having lunch poolside with some moms, all who work at least part time or full and my friend Beth said, "So is this what its like to be a Stay at Home Mom?" For those of you who might also wonder what a day is like, let me give you a rundown on a typical day of a SAHM.

7am: Caleb typically wakes up. This could change from day to day. Today was 737, yesterday was 710, the day before was 630. Waking up for me is when I hear "Mama!" That means I am ready to start my day, get me outta this crib! We usually start our day with some Charlie & Lola per Caleb's request.

730am: Breakfast. My breakfast menu contains the following, but I usually offer him a few to choose from: Multigrain waffle with strawberry jelly, plain mini pancakes, blueberry muffin tops, strawberry or blueberry cereal bar or oatmeal. Depending on his hunger, I will usually serve some fruit alongside. Oh, and Caleb always has to have his milk! We will watch another episode of Charlie & Lola, Curious George or Imagination Movers, it all depends on his mood.

830am: Playtime with Daddy before he heads to work. This could be spinning cups, playing baseball, coloring or sticker books. Everyday changes! This morning it was playing Curious George cards (or rather throwing them all over the room) and a few swings of baseball.

900am: I usually have a plan for the day, whether it be a playdate, errands, splash pad, free movie, etc. Today Caleb wanted to play with his friends Maddie & Nico who have been away on vacation for 3 weeks, but they were still getting into their groove and needed an extra day to recooperate, so we took Speedy for a walk and then ran a few errands.

1100am: We return home and Caleb wants to pretend drive the car for a bit, then he spies some bubbles and oh, we have to play basketball and collect pebbles. So much to do! After pebbles in the pond, he rakes a bit, then he spies another ball to play with which is near his koala climber, so we toss the ball back and forth a few minutes and then he slides a few times before I say, "Let's wash hands and have lunch!" "I rake. Throw pebbles. Play basketball." replies Caleb. Anything but go inside!

1130am: Lunch is usually served during an episode of Word World. This is a fun educational show where words come alive! I just came across it on PBS. My lunch menu consists of the following and again I offer a few choices: Mac n Cheese, PB&J sandwich, Grilled Cheese, Squash & Banana, Sweet Potato & Applesauce, Apple & Carrot, Cheese & Crackers alongside a fruit if needed. Oh, and milk. Don't forget the milk!

1230pm: I would like Caleb to be in his bed for a nap. Sometimes earlier depending on when he woke up. He knows that when Word World is over, nigh nigh time is here and usually will go down with minor chatter. Today, he has talked and thrown lamby overboard throughout his entire nap. Very seldom days are like this, but sometimes he wants to be up for 12 hours straight! Yippee! Nap time is my time to work, check email, blog, clean or possibly take a nap myself if I need one!

230pm: Caleb usually yells, "Mama!" and I come to his rescue! Again, he requests Charlie & Lola usually, so we watch an episode to unwind from his nap.

300pm: Afternoon activities usually involve reading, coloring, sticker books, collecting pebbles, playing basketball, raking, taking a walk along the river. However after yesterday I believe Caleb should be stroller bound on walks. I had Speedy, Caleb's baseball bat and ball which he had to bring along but I ended up carrying. When it was time to head back home, Caleb protested by sitting in the middle of the trail. I kept walking hoping he would follow. He did not. I wish I had my camera to capture this cute little boy sitting in the middle of the trail. I would pick him up and he would fight, "I walk. I walk." I put him down, he sat back down. This went on for most of the way home until I came up with a good idea. Kick his baseball and maybe he will chase it. He did! Yeah! He is nearly 30lbs and when he is fighting it, he is not much fun to be holding, especially when I have an 80lb dog walking alongside us.

500pm: Daddy usually arrives home and Caleb runs to the door as soon as he hears the garage door open. Always greeting Kerry with such excitement! Makes his day! Kerry will play with Caleb while I prepare dinner which is a huge help! Caleb is usually not fond of my dinner menu, so I will fix him a plate of 3 items, usually a vegetable with some fruits or cheese. We are starting to realize that Caleb may be vegetarian. He has no interest in meat any longer! Vegetables are tough too (you saw my limited selection at lunch, those are offered at dinner too), but he had been asking for corn after seeing it on Word World and I made it the other night and to my surprise he ate it! I was shocked! Thank you Word World!

600pm: After dinner playtime, whether we go to the community pool, play basketball, spin cups, dance, sticker books or take another walk by the river, we enjoy some family time together before unwinding for bed.

700pm: Unwind. We try and have Caleb cuddle with one of us and just relax before bedtime. Whether we watch some Charlie & Lola again or if I get lucky and he wants to watch, "Fortune" (Wheel of Fortune).

730pm: Bedtime. When we say time to wash hands and brush teeth, Caleb runs to his bathroom and gets the stool and we help him do just that! During his last diaper change, he loves Kerry to read the book, "That's not my Teddy". We have read it so much, we all can recite it, but its a touch and feel book so we go through it a few times each night because Caleb loves it so. He also is trying to postpone going to bed by asking for it again and again! We lay him down, say our prayers and lights out.

830pm: Caleb has usually fallen asleep by this time. He plays the game of "Lamby mama. Lamby mama." where he throws his blankey overboard again and again. Drives Kerry and I crazy, but taking it away only makes it worse! Since our move, Caleb hasn't gone to sleep right away. He use to lay down without a peep. We haven't been so lucky here in Indy!

Being a SAHM is not easy, peasy lemon squeezy. I typically work 12 hour shifts, being on call the other 12 when he is sleeping. You never have a day off (at least I have never taken one). You devote all of your time and energy into this precious gift that God has so richly blessed you with, that you could care less about a new pair of shoes or a nice haircut because you chose to sacrifice all of those things you could have to be at home with your child. It is not about you anymore. Good sacrifice? Most definitely. I wouldn't change it for the world.