Nora's How to: The Housework Edition

Nora usually plays the role of the cheerleader while I'm vacuuming or loading the dishwasher, but this time she was extremely helpful.

She helped me make the bed! Train the young and early!

I'm sure you are curious as to how to make a bed with a baby. Take it away Nora...

Ok fellow babies! Have your mom get a few toys that are you favorite. Then your mom should put the sheet on in one corner. Then have you mom move you to that corner with all your toys. She will then do the other corners. Then she will put on another sheet. Once she lines up the top, just have her move you and your toys up there to hold it down while she straightens it and tucks it in.  

Super Easy!

All photos are straight out of my camera.

A Typical Day At Our House

I love routine. Who doesn't really? It gives you structure, something to plan by, and peace of mind. For me, knowing that I will be able to grab a shower during the early morning nap and that I can do some cleaning and tidying during the afternoon nap is comforting. Of course not every day does life go perfectly as planned or according to schedule. When I was doing lots of pre-baby reading, I noticed how each author stressed getting your baby on a schedule. With a schedule they know what to expect, and there find comfort in that.  So with that said, here is our daily schedule. It is what works for us. 

7:00 AM  We wake up, do a diaper change, and Nora nurses.

7:30 AM   Head down stairs for me to make a cup of coffee and eat my oatmeal or yogurt and granola. Nora usually plays in her exer-saucer. I turn the today show on for about an hour usually. This is the only time during the day we have the tv on, but it's my guilty pleasure.

9:00 AM   Nora's first nap of the day. She usually nurses again before going down for her nap. In order to keep the mess to a minimum, I clean up the toys and books right after I put her down. I know we will get them back out, but if I take 5 minutes to tidy up three times a day things don't seem to get out of control. Then I will usually blog, do laundry, clean some bathrooms or floors, or shower. 

10:30 AM   Nora wakes up. Quick diaper change and we will read books for about 30 min. Then we do snack time for her which is usually pear and apple puree. Followed up by playtime and lots of laughs.

12:00 PM   Time for another nap. Nora will nurse again and go down for a 2 - 2 1/2 hour nap! I then usually do what I didn't get to do during the first nap, walk the dog, and eat some lunch. 

2:00 PM   Nora gets up and is usually in a great mood. We play, snap some pictures and she will nurse. 

3:00 PM   We will go out to run errands, go walk at the walking track, or go to the library to gets some new books to read. 

4:30 PM   Ryan usually gets home and he takes over while I do laundry or something I couldn't do during the day and start dinner.

5:30 PM   Dinner Time. Sometimes Nora will sit and play in her high chair and we can all eat a normal dinner, but sometimes its the typical new parent: I eat super fast while he holds Nora and switch. Then its dishes and play time. We like to turn on some jams and make this time all about fun.

6:30 PM   BATH TIME! Which in Nora's book is the best part of the day. I am pretty sure she is a fish reincarnated. (just kidding)  She splashes and we laugh. As soon as she comes out of the bath it's lotion, diaper, pjs, and nursing. And this little baby is off to Dream Land by 7:30 PM.

7:30 PM   Finish up the housework, and start washing the diapers (if it's a diaper washing night).

8:00 PM   We usually will talk about our day, watch a TV series, or read.

10:00 PM   Goodnight! Time to rest up for another day.

Whew that makes me tired just typing it. :) 

What is your day like? 

Do you do anything to make life easier on you?

How Being a SAHM Changes You...

FOR THE BETTER.
I grew up knowing that I wanted to be a dedicated wife and mother. The kind that met my husband at the door after his day at work. The kind that invested 100% into my children. The kind that knew my kids friends, welcomed them, and even was a second mom to them. The kind that took pride in her accomplishments in the home. The kind that played the supporting (and very important) roles like budgeting, meal planning, cooking, and so forth.

I think this desire was second nature to me, because I saw it lived out on a daily basis. My mom realized the need for her to be at home with my brother and I, and for my dad. She quit her full-time job as a Pediatrician to stay home with us. I never EVER felt that my parents expected me to do exactly as she did. In fact it was never discussed. I believe I wanted the type of life I had for my future family and I saw exactly how important her job was.

Here I am today. I stay at home, and while the term "homemaker" is not exactly a popular word, I view it as a job title with as much power and influence as a CEO. I make the house a home. That is something that takes time, love, and sacrifice. I love my job. I don't just stay at home. I do so much more. I shape the mind of the future. I encourage and re-energize the workforce aka: my husband. It's a wonderful job and one that more women should be proud to do.

Being a SAHM or Homemaker changes you though. It teaches you lessons you didn't know you needed to learn and it takes humility and sacrifice to a new level. It's not easy to be home every day, and especially if your heart isn't in the right place. Sometimes if I am not careful, I could find myself feeling bitter. Feeling like I am too educated for this, that I'd like to be interacting with people of my same age in a work environment, that my husband has no idea what it is like to be at home all day, etc. Those thoughts destroy me and cause me to fail and fail miserably. I have learned that we are called to serve others. There is no greater task we can do, as a Christian. I serve my husband by making our home a refuge from work and stress. I serve him when he has a hot meal and clean sheets. I serve Nora when I spend hours reading and playing with her to mold her to the best young girl she can be. I serve her when I gladly change her diapers. I serve her when I wash and fold all her tiny shirts and pants.

It is truly my pleasure to serve. Oh, trust me, it isn't always easy, but it is always worth it in the end. Being a mother has taught me so much, and being a homemaker has taught me so much more. I am more content than ever. I am more appreciative for the ways God has blessed us as a family. I am learning what makes me happy and what I enjoy doing. I am developing new skills every day, believe it or not. (like photography! watch out folks!)

I want to encourage other women who stay home or want to stay home. It's the most important job you will ever do!

A little Honesty, a Little Home Decor

In an attempt to be me to you in this thing called blogging, I must be honest and say that life gets you down sometimes.

Just when you think you have the plan figured all out, the plan gets ruined.

Ryan, was in a wreck on Sunday afternoon after my parents left.
GOOD NEWS: he was completely ok, but the old and not so great jeep was hurt.
We are waiting to hear the appraisal of the vehicle and damages, but it can't be much, and the chances of it being totaled are high.
Which leaves us with little $ and only 1 car.

God will provide, he always has, but I will tell you that before you think you have things figured out and plan in place, you should probably just plan for your plan to go wrong!

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After a 3 hour detour and many unplanned events, we finally got around to what we had planned on doing with our Sunday afternoon.

We turned a vintage calendar into wall art!

What do you think?

We hung them so they would be random and they are all in poster frames which are super cheap!!

I suggest this for a cheap decoration idea!

I hope you all have enjoyed your Tuesday and will have a wonderful Wednesday!

Home {Apartment} Tour

Right after we moved, I promised I would do a home tour post. 

Well, it has been almost a month and everything is not exactly as I want it but it is getting there. 

I still have some pictures that I just don't know quite where to hang them yet and still want to buy some more decoration for the house like pillows and something to go over our bed, but it will come in time. 

I love where we live. 

It is just a 1 bed, 1 bath but really nice and comfortable. 

It feels like home to us now!

I hope you will enjoy seeing into our lives. 

{I am not an interior decorator so don't judge too harsh hehe}

Well there you have it! 

Not pictured: the couches {because they dont match haha}

and the dining room table. It is just a high table with high chairs. But pretty cool. 

Closet and food pantry.

Show us yours!!!

I'd love to see it!

5 Tips to a Tidy Home

I am the type of person who feels ten times better if my house is clean.

OR

If I am under the impression that my house is clean.

No one has time to scrub the toilet, shower, floors, and vacuum every day, but you do have time do these 5 things.

If I do these I feel like a million bucks! 

It is real-life. I know I am kind of lame, but I love to at least feel like my house is clean and tidy.

1. Light a Candle

Smell is everything. 

If it smells clean and fresh then in my mind it is clean and fresh!

2. Wipe the Kitchen Counter Tops Off

Clean countertops are a beautiful thing. 

You can always start a meal when the counter tops are clean and clutter free.

You don't have to worry about putting your purse on the counter top or the fresh groceries, etc... because they are CLEAN!!

My FAVORITE product ever is Clorox Green Works! 

3. Make the Bed. 

You rooms will look much tidier and when you go to bed you will feel more refreshed when you get in a bed that was made! Trust me it is a fact! 

I have made the bed at 8PM before just to get in it at 10PM so I could get in a made bed!

4. Pick up the Clutter.

Just make a quick sweep around the house for shoes and dog toys and purses or whatever else is just laying around. 

I know that for me, having all the dog toys in the basket makes my house feel much cleaner. 

It takes only a few seconds but is so worth it. 

{I am sure I'll be really back about toys when that day comes}

5. Clear off the Dinner Table

Our dinner table is a magnet for mail and all types of stuff, but it takes just a few minutes to clear it off and it makes our house look so much better to have it cleaned off.

It also encourages us to eat at the table together NOT on the couch infront of the tv.

So, the million dollar question. 

Do I do these every day? 

No. I am in no way perfect!  

Do I try? 

Yes

They are my goal and when they are done they work. 

DISCLAIMER:

 Do not attempt to complete at 10PM at night. I often do this because I am slightly OCD and sometimes can't get in bed until I feel that the house is clean. 

This is a bad thing! Abort list and try again tomorrow!

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I am also over here today!!!

All My Love for All My Days is such a great blog and I am so honored to be guest posting on her blog today about some of my favorite things right now!