getting back on track

This summer, more than in the past, I've let my schedule get off track compared to our school year schedule. It's been nice to have the flexibility to sleep later in the morning because it means that Celia has finally started to sleep later! I've enjoyed it thoroughly, mindful of the fact that after Thanksgiving we won't be sleeping in (or even getting a full night's sleep) for a long time again. However, vacation's almost over and it's time to get back on track. Here's what we're (okay, what I'm- who am I kidding?) working on.

First of all comes our morning routine. I only work part time, but on the mornings I work I usually need to be out of the house by 7:15 at the latest. I like to have Celia dressed by the time I leave. The most difficult part of the morning is getting Chris out of bed. No matter what I try or what approach I take, he won't get up unless I nag him- sometimes multiple times. It's extremely frustrating and my day inevitably gets off to a bad start. He doesn't understand why this would be at all stressful for me. He claims that he can't get up because he doesn't sleep well, and I know from my own experience that that is a load of p-o-o-p. I don't always sleep well. Especially being pregnant, I'm either awake or out of bed multiple times during the night. It's not an excuse. I'm an adult and I get up when I need to, whether I feel tired or not. I've tried to approach this nicely- coming up with a plan together for our morning schedule, asking and begging him to tell me what I can do to help him get up in the morning without having to nag him. Nothing works. Last night we agreed we'd both start getting up at 6:00 to start our fall routine. Right now? It's 7 and he's still sleeping. I am at wit's end, and I try to be patient but to be honest I just feel like this behavior is lazy and childish and shows lack of self discipline. And when I try to wake him up? He doesn't open his eyes and respond to me; he rolls over so he can turn away from me and continue sleeping. What is he, a 14-year-old? Unfortunately it's not just about him. If it only affected him I wouldn't care, but I have to get out of the house and Celia needs to be cared for and needs attention. I end up leaving the house late almost every morning because of it, angry and annoyed with my heart pounding and not-nice things muttered under my breath. So, BAM! There you have it. Early morning husband bashing. He's a wonderful husband and father, but this is just one little annoying habit (or lack of habit) that ends up causing big problems.

All this, and what I meant to say was simply that one of my goals is to get us all on a morning routine that works well before school starts!

Another goal is to finish my new meal planning/recipe binder and get at least the month of September planned. It's almost done and I'll post all about it soon because it's been quite a process but is already really helpful and making life easier.

The next thing is to use my new planner (and I think I found a good deal on a new one- I'll share that too if I get it) to plan like crazy and make sure I have enough time to make freezer meals and get everything else done to prepare for the baby's arrival. Since he'll be born during the holidays I also want to schedule and do other things ahead, like Christmas shopping for Celia. Celia will really enjoy Christmastime this year, and I want to be able to enjoy it with her without having to worry about getting anything done. 

I'm still feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of returning to work and having less than three months before the new guy makes his arrival. Also, you never know, he could arrive early.

Thinking about all this stuff and not actually doing anything will not help. This is why I have a nice, new stack of post-it notes on which to make lists. Lists organize my thoughts. They tell me what to do. They make me feel accomplished when I cross things off of them. They ensure that things actually get done.

I'm a little crazy.