Wednesday, March 5, 2008

A Whole Lot of Nothin'

I usually begin my days in a very structured way. Namely, I wake-up and groan at how early my boy insists on greeting the day--the time ranges from 5:40 to 6:30 a.m. Then, I quickly remind myself that this is my life. It's not going to change and I can only change my attitude, so I jump out of bed with a smile on my face and greet the day. Okay, you caught me, I don't shift gears that quickly, but I do get out of bed with resolve and get on my exercise outfit (no, it's not a matching ensemble with cute bows) and haul him downstairs with me.

After locating something with nutritional value, I put him in his chair to eat a small portion (he doesn't like a large breakfast, he said it makes him feel groggy during the day and hey, could I argue with that?). I put on the tape/DVD and get a large glass of ice water. Yes, it has to have ice in it. I don't like water that isn't chilled--call me a snob. "What tape/DVD do you do that manages to keep you looking so trim and toned?" you are dying to know... Well, it's a random assortment based on my tolerance for pushing myself that particular day. If I'm feeling really tough it's David Kirsch's video that has--I'm not kidding or exaggerating--50 push-ups worked into it. Go read the reviews on amazon.com, it'll kick your booty. If I'm not feeling that tough, I may do a Tae Bo or The Firm or another step tape that I really love. For those who are truly interested, I'll let you know if you want some ideas (not all Tae Bo videos are created equal let me tell you).

After the exercise has ended (I've had to stop the tape and remove Owen at some point from his chair), I usually drink a little bit more and let my body cool down a bit by doing the dishes or a general clean up session of the kitchen. I now also have to clean up the bunny do-dos and feed him a bit as well. Following that, I head to a shower, then hair and make-up. This is all performed by me, not a team of stylists. Although I have wished for that before. Following the Audrey production, I throw my kids in my tub--not their tub--my tub. They prefer my tub because it's bigger and I don't mind of course. I get them dressed and do Ryanna's hair and have her make her bed and brush her teeth. We then usually head downstairs to do a 30 minute violin practice session. After that, it's whatever needs to be done for the day.

Why am I telling you the tedious details that seems to take up so much of my morning? Well, it's because today was so very different. Today, was not a typical get up, get going day for me. My day began at 3:45 a.m. and again at 6:45 a.m. I woke up the first time because I had to go to the bathroom and then my mind started going. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but this is a big problem with me. It's not usually to-do's either that run through my mind. It's thoughts like, "I wonder why so and so hasn't emailed me in a while?" or "Really, how could I be a better parent...what could I change, how am I going to start in a few hours to reach those goals?" Other such thoughts that do have merit, but are best left to be pondered in the daylight hours. Once I get going though, it's hard to stop as it was today. I was awake, tormented with my thoughts and feeling sick to my stomach (that's literal) and didn't fall back asleep until 6:00 a.m. At which time my husband got up and I fell asleep until 6:45 a.m. when Owen greeted the day. I was actually thrilled he'd let me sleep in a bit.

Feeling sick, still, I got up and carried him downstairs where I fed him and then let him watch the new pbs channel that is composed of all their children's programs all day--have you seen this? I read a bit of the new book I'm reading and generally felt yucky all day.

My house looked like trash, my body felt like trash and my mothering today bordered on nanny with serious neglect issues. I am not a TV mom. I allow one hour a day. Seriously, one hour, sometimes two if there's a very good reason. Today? Uh, let's not go into details here. Suffice it to say that my daughter loved today because of all the TV.

Did I mention I'm still wearing the pjs I went to bed in last night? Gross. Real, but gross.

Tomorrow? Tomorrow holds so much promise--another day of TV is what my daughter would hope for I'm certain. For me, it holds the hope of my usual routine. I am a creature of habit.

20 comments:

Annie said...

Ahh your recent day sounds like all of MY days! Nope haven't heard of this new PBS station..is it available for those of us w/out cable??

Seriously I want my days to become like your regular days...I guess I just need to get my but in gear!

Hope you feel better soon! (((HUGS)))

JenW said...

feel better! better days are coming!

Brooke said...

Sorry you aren't feeling good. I hope today is better for you. I am telling you the ONE thing that drove me nuts about my kids and I being sick for an entire week (stomach flu) was the tv. It was on 24 hours a day. I was on the brink of insanity.

Now that we are all feeling better Isaac's tv time is back to it's normal time. I couldn't be happier!

Jenn Toon said...

UG! Days like this happen, as you know. It will all turn around - think positive. Somedays we all need a break!! Hope today is better for you!

Kelli said...

Get better soon!! There is nothing wrong chilling in your pj's even if you feel good. I thought I was the only one that did it until my VT companion confessed too.

It's so nice to have a schedule. Luckily for me it is 8:45 and my kids are still sleeping. Without a schedule I think we would go crazy!

Tina said...

It's good to hear that I'm not the only one who has days like this. Thanks for helping us all feel more human.
Just in case it was me you were wondering about- I'm going to email you today, I need your help with something.
Wish I could be there so we could just hang out together and do nothing all day. It's always more fun to have someone to do nothing with.
:)

Lara Neves said...

I feel like I need those types of days occasionally, but then I always wish I would have just made myself do something.

You inspire me...I need to start getting up earlier. Sophie has changed her pattern a bit and doesn't get up till around 7:30 nowadays, so I feel like I'm in a rush to get kids ready and off to school because I usually just sleep till she wakes me up.

Ben and Anne said...

Hey, hope you feel better! I can't believe how early you get up. What is Ryanna doing then? I sleep until my kids get up, between 7-8. How early do your kids and you and Derek go to bed?

JLJ said...

I have days like that too sometimes. But not because I'm necessarily feeling sick. I just feel like rebelling against all the things I'm supposed to do. I usually eat a mother load on days like that too. The good part is by the end of the day, I'm so sick of being lazy the next day is super productive. I hope you feel better tomorrow so you can do all the things you want to.

PS thanks for the violin info.

rachel said...

Girl, I am so impressed at your "normal" schedule. I would say that your yuck day is a "normal" day and your impressive schedule is one that I can reach maybe once a blue moon. Pat yourself on the back for being so amazing.

Anonymous said...

That’s not a picture of your house because that looks exactly like mine. . . Well at least the organization part. It’s time for a major cleaning at my house.
Its fun to hear “A day in the life of Audrey.” Today is a new day and hopefully it didn’t start at 3:45am for you.

Erica said...

Dang I wish I had your discipline. That is an awesome routine. Down days suck, but make the regular days seem that much better. Maybe we need days like that to appreciate the monotony of our regular days???

Crazymamaof6 said...

ok. you amaze me. and yeah i hate bad days. good for you rolling with it and surviving.

Marielle said...

I hope you are feeling better! I hate feeling sick. Everything else just seems to fall by the wayside. I do think you should feel good about every other day that you have such a structured routine for your family.

Marielle

Spencer said...

It's weird that people still call workout dvd's workout tapes. I find that odd.

Amelia Poll said...

Audrey, I just found your blog. And I must say, I'm a total slacker. I haven't followed through with you at all--I am so sorry!

I hope you are feeling better, and really, I haven't forgotten about your bracelet. I still have all the stuff, and I even have some more time. So, let's try to make it happen, if you are still interested :)

wackywilsons said...

I kept waiting for you to say you were prego by how you were describing how "sick" you felt...but nope, just that basic mothering and running on no sleep or ambition virus...

You are so motivating though, no doubt that your next day you will do that hard core dvd and sing as you do your dishes.

I admire you for being so disciplined, it is nice to know that there are other women out there who work hard for tight booties!

Unknown said...

I hope you are feeling better! It is not fun being sick! And good for you for exercising every day.

Ruth Petersen said...

Sorry for your down day. I wish I was closer and could grab up the kiddies for you. I wish you could get me back on the work out track. I,m getting worked over on the horse but no cardiovascular. Just lots of sore muscles.

Jessica Martiele said...

Ah, crap, Aud...you're one of those women that (completely unintentionally, or it wouldn't work) make me feel like the worst Mormon mommy ever to walk the face of the earth. Your normal day exhausts me just reading it. Your down day is my boring, sad, pathetic, unfocused, depressed day-to-day life. Please pray God gets us into a home in Dallas STAT so I can get on with things for us! I plan on being just like you when I grow up...so long as it includes sleeping 'til 7. And if I only get halfway there, I'll still feel pretty dang good about myself...