A Day in the Life at A&B Enterprises

I have read that having a predictable schedule helps children grow and learn, that consistency fosters their intellectual development. Of course I’m all about intellectual development…and I’m all about preserving my sanity, too! Particularly with multiples, I think a schedule is key to keeping this Mommy sane!

[Warning: Following is an excruciatingly-detailed account of our day...read at your own risk! Or skip to the bottom for a few reflections...]

5:50-ish…wake up and force myself out of bed.
6:00 - 6:15...quick check of the computer, empty dishwasher, girls start to “talk” in their room.
6:15 - 6:30…eat breakfast with Hubby – either cereal, or bagels from Panera if we’re lucky.
6:30…start making the girls’ breakfast – scrambled egg, oatmeal or cream of wheat, diced banana and blueberries.
6:45…go upstairs with Hubby to get the girls up.
6:45 - 7:00…snuggle with the girls in their room and change their diapers.
7:00…feed the girls breakfast.
7:15…put the girls in the den to play quietly, while Mommy cleans up, has some coffee and enjoys some computer time (I put the laptop on the kitchen table so I can see the girls in the den).
*7:45…put the girls back in their highchairs for milk.
8:00 - 9:00…spend time with the girls in the den – we read lots of books, play with blocks, look out the window, dance, sing…you name it.

*...or don shorts and sunscreen the girls’ legs for a walk with fellow-twin Mom Krista and her girls, and give the girls milk when we get home around 8:45.

9:00…wash the girls’ faces and put them down for their morning nap.
9:00 - 9:30…Mommy takes a shower and makes herself beautiful for the day (who am I kidding? I would need a heck of a lot longer than 30 minutes to pull that off!).
9:30 - 10:50…do some laundry, cook some veggies for the girls, prep for supper, and chill as time allows.
10:50…prepare the girls’ lunch – usually two vegetables and some fresh fruit.
11:00 - 11:15…go upstairs and get the girls up from their nap; sometimes they wake up as early as 10:30 and “talk”, but occasionally they’ll sleep until 11:15 or so; I don’t let them sleep longer than 11:30.
11:30…feed the girls lunch.
*12:00…put the girls in the den to play quietly, while Mommy cleans up, eats a sandwich, and has some computer time.
1:00…spend time with the girls in the den.

*…or get the girls dressed and head out on the town. We sometimes meet one of my girlfriends for lunch; or we might run an errand, like to the bank or the post office; or we might go walk around the mall or the bookstore; or we occasionally go to Sonic and sit outside and enjoy a little ice cream. I try not to get the girls out every day...I want them to know we don’t *have* to get out and about to “pass the day”…but there are times when Mama needs some fresh air! I try to be back home by 2:00.

2:00…put the girls back in their highchairs for milk, often with a few crackers or half a cereal bar.
2:30 - 3:00…put the girls down for their afternoon nap.

3:00 - 3:50…listen to the girls “talk” instead of nap. I think Baby B would nap during this time, but Baby A seems ready to move to one nap. I’m trying to hit a balance between the two, but I’m sure it won’t be long before we make that transition. I try to rest during this time. I like to watch a little TV, or sometimes I’ll try to nap for 30 minutes.
3:50…prepare the girls’ supper – usually a meat, a veggie, and a fruit, followed by bread or crackers and juice.
4:00 - 4:15…go upstairs and get the girls up from their nap; after quite a bit of conversation, the girls will often fall asleep, at least for a few minutes; I don’t let them sleep longer than 4:30.
4:30…feed the girls supper.
5:00…put the girls in the den to play quietly while Hubby and I eat supper. I try to time our supper to be ready at this time – either a crock pot meal, or a roast or casserole I put in the oven an hour earlier, or I heat up leftovers or made-ahead meals.
*5:45 - 6:45…Hubby and I spend time with the girls in the den. Sometimes he plays with them while I do a few chores.

*…or give the girls a bath every other night.

6:45…take the girls upstairs for a cup of milk, stories, and cuddles.
7:15 - 7:30…wash the girls’ faces, brush their teeth, and put them to bed.



After I put the girls to bed, I usually enjoy some computer time, catch up on chores, and occasionally watch some TV. If I didn’t make it out with the girls for a walk during the day, I might head out for a run. I also do my grocery shopping once or twice a week after the girls are in bed. Occasionally I might meet a girlfriend or two for coffee.

After I graduated college, I wasn’t much of a night owl. These days, after dark is “my time”. KNOCK ON WOOD, our girls sleep very soundly, so I’m basically “off the clock” at 7:30. I often stay up much later than I should…but I just love the peace and quiet.

It’s hard for me to pick a favorite part of the day…I love getting the girls up in the mornings and cuddling with them and Hubby in their room. I love playing with them in the mornings, because everyone is fresh and open. I love taking them for a walk and pointing out all the comings and goings…and peering through the stroller canopy and seeing them holding hands or playing footsie. I love putting them down for a nap and seeing Baby B start to suck her thumb the moment she gets her blankey. I love feeding them when they eat well (which is most of the time)…I’m always so proud when they eat a good meal. I love getting out and about with them, and especially indulging in the occasional ice cream treat. I love playing with them and Hubby after supper, the four of us, together. I love snuggling with them while they have their cup of milk, and reading their bedtime story. And I especially love the last cuddles as I put them in their cribs. So yeah, it’s hard for me to narrow things down. :)

My least favorite time of the day is probably between 1:30 and 2:00. I feel like I hit a slump then, when I feel like I really should be engaging the girls.

I didn’t originally plan to answer this Question of the Week from Multiples & More, but it’s been so much fun to read others’ responses. I love getting a glimpse into the everyday lives of other families. And as I step back to look at our day, I would like to incorporate more outside play. Honestly, sunscreen is my biggest challenge! It is such a chore to lube up two squirming babies! We’re planning to get a swing set for our backyard within the next year, so I know I’ll get better in this department. But for now, I probably need to schedule more time at the park.

I’ve seen this quote on several blogs – “The days are long, but the years are short.” Unknown. Oh, how true it is! There are days when I think naptime will never come, when I’ve changed six poopy diapers by 9:00am, and it’s raining and we can’t get out of the house. But then I glance up and it’s somehow three months later. Thank goodness for picture evidence, because I might otherwise think I’d been caught in a time warp.