Now that we seem to have our rhythm down pat again, I wanted to post it here as a reminder to myself to keep it up and to perhaps help others plan their day.

I admit it is rather boring since my daughter is really young: once she is older I really want to schedule more nature/outdoor time.

I’m also going to put notes in there about sleep techniques that are working for us. Sophie is now sleeping 11 hours at night and I don’t remember the last time I had to get up in the middle of the night (except to pee! Hee!).

6am: we get up. Sophie starts to fuss and she greets me with a “Hi!” and a kiss on the cheek when I pick her up. Great way to start the day, esp. since I am so not a morning person!

6:10am-6:40am: after a bathroom pit stop Sophie has her milk, and then has potty time. I also take this time to get dressed, brush my teeth, etc.

6:40am-7:30+am: Independent play for Sophie in the play den, I check my messages & do a bit of work. I am currently designing my website in order to sell my jewelry online.

7:30+am: Sophie goes down for a nap between 7:30am and 8am, until 9am. I will also return to bed to nap at this time if I feel unrested. Otherwise, I do a bit more work on the computer.

9am: Sophie gets up, bath time & breakfast (Daddy makes breakfast). We do our bath in the morning as we found baths in the evening ramped her up rather than relaxed her.

10am: This varies. Sometimes we go for a walk, or run errands at this time, or Sophie & I start housework on the designated room/area for the day

11:15am: If we are home, Sophie has more milk, and then naps

1pm: Sophie gets up from her nap. Lunch time! Daddy makes lunch.

1:45pm: Usually independent play while I either do more work on the computer or finish up a chore. If we are out we make sure to get home around this time to Sophie can get down for a nap and be finished by 3pm. This is because when she sleeps later than 3, it may cause her to not get to sleep at bedtime, or sleep well through the night. If she had her 11am nap we may run errands at this time rather than in the morning.

2pm-3pm: If Sophie is napping at this time, I may take a nap, but usually this is more “me” time to catch up on my online groups, blog post, research for the website. I may sneak in an easy chore that is easier achieved while not having a baby around: dusting breakables, switching the laundry over, etc.

3pm-5pm: The afternoon is pretty open. Sophie & I finish the chores for the day, maybe spend sometime outside, let Sophie explore the now clean room/area of the house. She has a snack usually around 3:30. Sometimes if Rick wants a break we’ll take a quick trip to the post office or something.

5pm: Daddy makes supper, while Mommy & Sophie hang out in the livingroom. I usually take this time to have one-on-one tickle-the-baby time. :) Mommy also chats with Daddy while he cooks since our house is open concept. Ah, adult interaction. :) I can’t wait until she is older so the whole family can help out in the kitchen.

6pm: Dinner is finished. Sophie goes to the potty, then plays in her playroom while Mommy takes time to read in the room with her. Daddy does the dishes.

6:45pm: time to get ready for bed.

6:50pm: retreat to the calm of the bedroom, where Sophie has her milk, and I rock her for 5 min. afterward, which is just what she needs to get drowsy. Then, as I put her in her bed I tell her, “OK Sophie, Mommy is putting you in your bed now. It’s sleepy time. I’ll be right here if you need me”. I find if I don’t say this, she’ll wake up screaming 15 min. later.

7:10pm – 10+pm: ME TIME! This varies, I may fart around on the internet, do some work (design) if I feel inspired, read a book, watch some TV, spend some time with Rick…most nights it’s a little bit of all this.

I didn’t add all the pee potty time throughout the day, but it’s always after every nap, about 20-25min after liquids & every time I have to pee (which these days, is quite often). Hopefully she will start signing again soon so I won’t have to rely solely on timing, but this method seems to work the majority of the time.

As you can see, I have a lot of flexibility with this schedule, but this is the general flow that works for me. Some people’s rhythms are more structured than mine, again, it’s all about personality & what works for each person. I have a lot of leeway with this schedule as well. For example, I am sure to plan one cleaning day as easy, (Monday starts off with the room with least traffic), the next heavier, and I stagger accordingly. This way, if I miss a cleaning day due to appointments or an outing I can easily make up for it the following day. Or, if I feel inspired to double up on the cleaning one day, in order to get ahead.

I’m also flexible as to when I do what during computer time. Some days, I feel the need to write (blog) to get going. Today is a good example of that. I tend to start posts as I think of topics but not necessarily post them until I have the time to go through to proofread or finish them. Today I had a back log, so I decided to take part of the day to work on that to help get the juices flowing so to speak. Hence, all the posts today! I am going to do work tonight, because I am more inspired to do work now than I was earlier today. Besides, Rick is also working tonight, since he mowed the lawn this afternoon. Flex hours definitely suit both our personalities.

It is a lot of trial and error and I am still tweaking this one. Rhythms are always evolving, especially with growing children.

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