Coping with 2

Posted by tyan (Singapore, Singapore) on 6 June 2007 in People & Portrait.

caleb is quite a doting bro.When he is in an amiable mood,he likes to kiss his little bro and play with him in the gym.He is holding Ian's hand while didi tries to figure out what this big bro is doing.Or perhaps a gaze of adoration for his big bro?:p

This month is a blessing because i still have Hub to help me around the house since he is having his hols.But of course these 2 weeks he still has to go back school most of the time so i am trying to get a hang of coping with 2 on my own.I am still refining a routine with them but this is roughly how a day looks:

7-830 am
Caleb and Ian wake up
Feed Ian milk then put him in play gym to kick
Feed Caleb milk/breakfast(mommy usually eats here,whatever is left from Caleb's leftovers...*awww*)
Bathe Ian,Caleb plays on his own
Bathe Caleb,Ian kicks in gym

830-930
Bring the boys out for for a short
walk at the park/grocery shopping nearby,let Caleb sweat it out so he can sleep later...haha
Wash up

930-1030
Mommy plays with the boys

1030-1130
Ian has his milk
Caleb has his milk

1130-130
Keep my fingers crossed but hopefully both boys fall asleep here.Its a bit tricky cos sometimes they want milk at the
same time and they dont happen to fall into the category of 'easy babies' who will fall asleep when u leave them alone in bed.There
is only one of me,so one of them got to sacrifice while i tend to the other...
mommy cooks lunch for Caleb
Mommy wash up

130-230
Caleb has his lunch(Mommy eats with Caleb)
Ian wakes up and plays at gym
Cleaning up

230-430
mommy plays with the boys/short outing
Ian sleeps

430-530
Prepare dinner and bathe 2 boys

530-630
Dinner everyone

630-730
Chill out time,OTOT(Own time own target,
mommy is tired)

730-800
Quiet time-read a story

800-900
Ian drinks milk,suckle to sleep,Caleb drinks milk and roll around in bed to sleep[a bit tricky here also cos mommy is
currently both boys' sleep comforter,but daddy is around to help stall time while mommy tends to one first]

After 900
Chill with Hub
Laundry,housework and ironing
Mommy photo blogging!

Sometimes i feel rather sorry for myself that i am on my own,esp when i go out and see young mommies with grannies or maids helping.Then i ask myself whether i was in the right mind when i decided to stay home...But i think its a paradigm shift as i tell (or 'psycho' myself) that i m very blessed and privileged to be able to stay home to watch them grow up!:)

But a sidepoint..Can anyone tell me how women of yester years cope with more than a dozen children and still work?

Nancy from Singapore

I really admire your guts and willingness to take care of the boys all by yourself. I don't dare to imagine myself doing that.
I noticed that u didn't put in time for your own shower (*smelly mommy!* :p) and meal times in the 'timetable' you've drawn up. Must take care of urself, yeah?!

6 Jun 2007 6:10am

@Nancy: haha,i really think i dont get to take care of myself when i stay home.When i used to work,i get to go for an occasional pedicure and facial,now stranded with 2 children,very hard!Thats how huang lian po come about,hair unkempt,smelly smelly...i try to take care of myself whenever the 2 are sleeping or are content to play on their own..But i sometimes do miss the freedom and financial independence i used to have..:p

Joanie from Singapore

Oh yah, yester years people just let kids roam about! Who cares what they do? My mum always declares how well she copes with my sis and I when she had to work night shifts. Then again with my gal, she is finding too that these days babies are different. Probably smarter and attention seeker. Ha Ha... don't feel sad! It's a brave choice. It's a calling for women to be home, to witness each moment of their growth and lead them spiritually. Guess that's what I believe. I am just waiting for my time to be up to take this step =P

6 Jun 2007 6:34am

@Joanie: Thanks for your kinds words and encouragement..great!Waiting for u to join the sahm league then!:)

cookie from Singapore

Good to see u r getting yourself so organised (like Supernanny's schedule)! It's certainly tough to cope with two.. i guess mummies of yester years cut corners on alot of things we do for our children - dun think they even tell bed time stories or cook up proper meals. Jus a suggestion for yr schedule, why not put in a late morning nap (1-2hrs) and mid afternoon nap (1-2hrs) for Ian and just a mid-afternoon nap (2-3hrs) for Caleb? I put Fangyi on afternoon nap after his lunch and he can give me peace for a good 3 hrs.

6 Jun 2007 2:14pm

@cookie: yeah...usually i put caleb to sleep after his lunch and Ian get 2 or 3 naps.This is a routine i had for a day...still trying to refine it..thanks!:)

cookie from Singapore

Staying at home is lotsa hardwork and work never ends, but rewards of watching yr boys grow is rewarding and priceless. I'm still 'working' towards being a SAHM, wish to join u still. hehe!
Tmr i've to lug Fangyi along to Sentosa (CCA trip) as my mum went overseas so no helper. Got so many things to lug around... wish me luck ;)

6 Jun 2007 2:18pm

@cookie: wow,so the school allows u to lug him?Thats good!Bet many people would be attracted to your adorable boy and give him loads of attention,maybe even help u babysit for a while!Enjoy the moment!

spots from Singapore, Singapore

this is a pretty good schedule! :)

9 Jun 2007 7:30pm

@spots: thanks!:) We should exchange some mothering tips!:)

Canon IXUS 40
1/25 second
F/2.8
6 mm

and
caleb
ian