Stay at Home "Working" Mom

Now that I've had a baby, the famous question is..."Are you going back to work?"  I almost cringe every time I hear someone ask that because I don't know how they'll respond when I say, "No, I'm staying at home with Avery". 

You see, I grew up with a working mom and always thought that was the way it was supposed to be.  I loved the daycare I went to and wouldn't have traded my childhood for anything.  However, Michael made it very clear before we got married that he wanted me to be at home with our children.  It took me a while to be OK with that, but it was a premarital decision that we were going to stick with.  And boy...am I glad we did!!!  I love being able to raise Avery myself and do even the mundane daily tasks with her.  I just was worried in the beginning what other people would think of me being a "Stay At Home" Mom. (Not that any of their opinions really matter, anyway!)  

At my doctor's appointment last week, the lady behind the desk asked the same infamous question.  When I told her I wasn't going back to teaching, she said, "Oh, so you're a Stay At Home Working Mom".  I loved that she acknowledged the fact that I am WORKING, just not for monetary value.  For all of those inquiring minds...here is a day in the life of a Stay At Home Working Mom....picture-book style (for those who are visual learners).

**Disclaimer** Feedings and diaper changes do occur at least every 3 hours, but no pictures of documentation will be reported.

My day begins (a little before or after) 6:30 a.m. to the sound of Avery's voice over the baby monitor.  This is her first feeding of the day.  You may be wondering if my alarm clock is lit by fire...no, it's just the camera with no flash ;)

I immediately put her back in her crib to sleep a few more hours.  If she is too fussy and won't settle down, I will place her between Michael and me for family cuddle time.  She's usually pretty good in her own crib, and then I dash back to bed with these two boys.

After I have the pleasure of catching another 2 hours (at least) of sleep, it's time to get up and feed Avery again around 9:30 or 10:00-ish.  This is when she is the most alert and pleasant out of the entire day.  She will get dressed and then have tons of play time that involves tummy time, talking to Mommy, and some kind of learning.  

While the weather still isn't smoldering hot, we will get out of the house and take a stroll around the neighborhood.

My ultimate goal is to get her to fall asleep.  Looks like it worked this time!
Uh-oh, she was playing possum and woke up right when I laid her down for a nap on our bed (where she naps best).
At this time, it's around 11:30 a.m. and I am begging her to take a nap.

I'm probably still in my pajamas at this point, about to embark on some household chores while she sleeps.  

(Did you really think I was going to show you a picture of me in my pajamas?)  Anyway! This is the time of day when I have a variety of things to choose to do.  I can do laundry...
Maybe not!  What about the dishes and clean the kitchen?
Hey, there's always exercise!
Uhhhhh....I think I'll pass on the human pretzel!
I could also choose to do my favorite thing....Facebook or Blog!
Oh yea, what about a shower? That's another option.
Maybe I'll just protect my family by fighting off scorpions in my kitchen.
It's 1:00 p.m. and she's ready to eat again.  I definitely didn't have time to do everything above, so I'll pick and choose what I do on different days.  After she eats, it's more play time while Mommy tries to accomplish another task from the above list.

At some point during the day, we try to visit Daddy at work and take fuzzy pictures with camera phones.

It's 2:30 p.m. already? Time to leave for cheerleading practice!

To make the time pass by quickly, Avery plays with her pacifier, cries, eats, gets diaper changes, and sleeps.  I thank the Good Lord for Mrs. Chris, our team mom, who babysits while I coach.
She also enjoys being the cutest girl at practice.

It's 5:30 p.m. and time to go back home to cook dinner for Daddy.  There's only 30 minutes from the time we get home to when he gets off work, so Mommy has to hurry!  Avery will sit in her bouncy seat and be a good girl while dinner is prepared.

However, tonight was a special night and we all ate dinner with Granddaddy and Granny Ewing.  There was no time to fix hair and makeup after cheerleading practice because I had to rush home and feed Avery again at 6:45 p.m.

Avery napped a little with her fist up the whole time.
She also practiced her audition piece for the next KISS rock group.  Watch out Gene Simmons!
It's 8:45 p.m. and time for our night time routine...bath first!
She's got a full belly now that she's eaten dinner.  Daddy gets some last minute love before bed time.
"It's 9:00 p.m., do you know where your children are?" Yes I do....IN BED!

Phewww, what a day!  Now...just wake up and do it all over again tomorrow!