*Breathes in*
HAIZ…..
The past few weeks have been nothing but a busy daily routine. Dear1 and Dear2 is tired every single day but it seems like this routine is going to be here to stay (at least for the next few months).
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6 am: Alarm clock rings. Both Dear1 and Dear2 are totally KO and neither can hear the alarm clock ring. Oh, Baby1 is KO too so she didn’t hear either. :P
6.20 am: Time to finally wake up after a few repeated snoozing alarms. Dear1 goes to boil water, prepare breakfast and wash the breast pump. Dear2 wakes up to prepare the the expressed breastmilk (EBM) to last Baby1 through the day. Both sits down for a simple breakfast of milo and biscuits or bread. Dear1 continues to pack the daily stuff for himself and Baby1 such as washing the pacifier and toys. Dear2 goes to latch Baby1 for her morning breakfast too. After which, Dear2 makes the bed, goes to bath, gets changed and puts on her makeup. Dear1 changes diapers for Baby1, gets changed himself and prepares to leave the house.
7.50 am: Set off from the house and drive to granny’s place which is about 5-10 mins drive away depending on traffic.
8 am: Arrive at granny’s house. Let Baby1 settle down and give various caregiving instructions for the day.
8.10 am: Kiss Baby1 bye-bye and start to feel a little sad. Sobz. :'(
8.11 am: Dear1 and Dear2 commute to work.
9 am: Start work. Dear2 will express her milk 2 to 3 times during the day.
6.10 pm: Dear2 sets off from work.
6.20 pm: Dear1 sets off from work.
6.30 pm: Dear1 meets Dear2.
7.10 pm: Arrive at granny’s house. Finally can see Baby1 again! Yay… Baby1 smiles a wide toothless grin and all of Dear1 and Dear2’s fatigue temporarily melts away. :D Pack up all the daily stuff and goes home.
7.50 pm: Reach home with Baby1 after a long day. Play with Baby1 for a short while. Dear1 goes to bath first, then Dear2 goes to bath. Unpack Baby1’s stuff.
8.20 pm: Dear2 latches Baby1. Dear1 (or Dear2) goes to wash the breast pump and bottles.
9 pm: Dear1 coaxes Baby1 to sleep. Dear2 dries her hair. Baby1 goes to dreamland and Dear1 and Dear2 finally have some time for themselves. But all is not done. It’s time to do the daily housework such as washing dishes if any, packing up the house, washing clothes, keeping clothes, folding clothes, etc.
10.15 pm: Time for bed. Sets the alarm for 12 am.
12 am: Alarm sounds. Nobody moves. Everyone is KO.
12.30 am: After several alarm snoozed, Dear2 wakes up to express breast milk.
1 am: Dear2 stores the EBM in the fridge and goes back to sleep. Sets the alarm clock for 4 am.
4 am: Alarm sounds. Everyone (subconsciously) realizes that the alarm just isn’t effective anymore. Continues to KO.
4.30 am: Sometimes Dear1 will wake up, sometimes Dear2. Other times, Baby1 will rouse and starts to cry. By then, everyone wakes up and Dear2 latches Baby1 for her night feed while Dear1 helps with the burping.
5 am: Everyones goes back to dreamland.
6 am: Alarm clock rings. Both Dear1 and Dear2 are totally KO and neither can hear the …here we go again…
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Repeat the above routine from Monday to Friday.
This is the routine for a dual income family with baby like ours. It can’t be helped that both parents need to work and bring home income. Thankfully, granny (Dear2’s mum) is a stay at home mum (SAHM) and is able to help with taking care of Baby1 on the weekdays. Granny even suggested leaving Baby1 to stay overnight at her place on the weekdays but we just couldn’t bring ourselves to agree to that; we will miss Baby1 sooooo much.
Now weekends are the best time for us. We will sleep in late and Baby1 will sleep in with us too. In the afternoons, we will just laze around at home, do more housework, play with Baby1 all day, and maybe let her go for a swim. Gee… Or sometimes we will bring Baby1 shopping. And then, Dear1’s parents will likely demand that we visit them during the weekend so that they get to see and play with Baby1 once a week.
With such a weekly schedule, it really is tiring and life-less. Which is why we implemented some strategies that will inject some life back into our lives.
First, we try to take a half day (or full day if situation allows) leave from work on one of the weekdays (normally midweek). Baby1 will still be at granny’s house for the whole day so that we (Dear1 and Dear2) get to spend some time together. We spend the time catching a good nap at home, cuddling up, finishing up housework (yes, housework is never ending, don’t ask), go grocery shopping, go for a nice meal with just the two of us, and just generally winding down a bit.
Second, we try to bring Baby1 to granny’s house slightly (maybe 15 mins) earlier in the morning so that we can go out for a quick breakfast. So far, we’ve tried breakfasting over Mr Bean soya milk and maru while seated at those stone ledges outside MRT stations. Today, we stopped over at Tradehub 21 for breakfast at MacDonalds since they have 1 hr free parking there.
Third, we try to go over to Dear1’s parent’s place in the late afternoon on a weekend. Once there, we will leave Baby1 in their care while we go for an early evening jog. This way, the grandparents will have some time to play with Baby1 while we get some exercise to stay healthy, lose some weight, and hopefully bring back some energies to our bodies. Win-win.
Phew. It isn’t easy but these are all part and parcel of parenting. Suddenly, those evil smiles coming from other parents that often accompanied the phrase “Welcome to parenthood” begin to make sense. And as Dear2 aptly put, “We can never be sufficiently prepared to be parents”. And I agree.
It’s our responsibilities now as parents to provide and care for our baby. And we must also remember for take good care of ourselves so that we continue to have the capacity to give and provide.
-Dear1
Dear1 Dear2 