An ordinary day at the Edwards Casen & Drew - Early 2011

Every single day I hope things get better and easier. I can say that it has gotten better and easier since this time last year, it's just been a slow transformation.

I like to wake up before the boys. It gives me time to wake up and get my morning grumpiness out of me so I feel ready to take the daily craziness on. If I wake up late, which, lets just face the facts here, happens most mornings, my days are filled with yelling, slamming doors, my "to do" list with no check marks, and one annoyed and tired mom by the end of the night. So, I like to get to bed at a decent time at night so I am able to wake up around 6 or 6:30.

The boys usually wake up about 7 or 7:30, which is great. I know I'm lucky that they sleep in so good. Immediately Drew will be whining and crying for cereal and Casen wakes up very happy and excited to see me every morning which is nice. They eat their breakfast and always ask to watch a show. I turn on a show while they eat their breakfast and I finish mine then try and check my emails really quick without being interrupted. Ha! Ya right. Every time I leave the room, there is teasing and screaming and fighting. Casen is always trying to get a rise out of Drew. Its so frustrating. I try to hurry up my already quick email check and get my daily to do list going organized but am still interrupted many times because they need their Sippy's, drew is screaming because he's done with his cereal and wants down. So when they are done with eating they want to watch a different show and they usually fight about which show, and sometimes it turns into a huge fit which ends up with the TV off and followed by an even bigger fit, then a time out in their bedrooms. So, this all takes place within 30 minutes. Not so great start to my day, I know. If anyone has some great tips on patience Id love to hear them. Its always when I'm trying to do work on the computer or call someone that I'm getting tugged and pulled on and screamed at or theirs fighting going on. Its constant interruptions ALL DAY LONG. So frustrating! A lot of the interruptions I'm fine with. The ones that I know are needed and important like diapers, drinks, getting hurt etc... but the other ones are hard to get up for and when I get up for them its hard not to be impatient.

Okay, so lets continue with my day. I get dressed into my workout clothes and hope that will motivate me enough to actually go to the gym. It usually does. And now Casen knows when my tennis shoes are on that we will be going to the gym and they love to go. So he doesnt stop asking about it until we are on our way. So before we go I have to dress them. Which is another fight. Casen runs away and laughs when I try to catch him. He loves that game. But I tell him we cant do something fun after the gym if he doesn't come and get dressed. Most of the time that works. Drew I just have drew hold him down while he screams. There's no time he will just come over and let me change him unless there is candy involved.

This is turning out to be longer than I thought, and I'm trying to get to the gym now. :)

After the gym we will sometimes do a fun activity like the park or go for a walk if the weather is nice or run an errand to the store. Then lunch at home followed by naps (another struggle and fight) Casen is only taking a nap about twice a week now. Which is great for an early bedtime. I try and cram in as much housework during Drew's nap time that I can. but still am interrupted a lot by Casen needing this or that and I only get half done until Drew is awake.

My house is still a mess, I'm now trying to make dinner. Oh ya, and sometimes still not showered yet from the gym. I know, gross, but if I have to clean toilets I don't want to shower for that first. :) I try to clean up and do a little more while dinner is being made. (I'm so tired just typing and thinking about it all. ) Lots more fighting over toys and watching shows and screaming and falling and time outs, and yelling, and slamming doors. ugh!! Then we eat dinner, actually I eat dinner after I get all of their food ready and cut up and cooled off. Then I eat. They don't really eat anything unless its something they like. Then Daddy's home about 6:30 or 7 and they love running out to see him. Darin eats, we talk about our hard day at work, then watch the boys run around and act crazy. Bath, books, songs, teeth and bedtime.