Hellobee

If Colin could type up a blog post for Hellobee, I’m sure he would love to tell you guys all about his day.  Since I have never done a “Day in the Life” post, I thought it might be fun to share what goes on during an average day in the Confetti household from both of our perspectives (or at least from mine and what I imagine he must be thinking in that warped toddler brain of his).

Oh my goodness, seriously?  Do I hear him chattering to himself already?  I feel like I just went to bed!  Colin has been an early riser, but now, only a couple weeks post-time change, he will sleep til 5:45 on a good day – oftentimes he is up closer to 5:15 a.m.  We wait as close to 6 as we can before getting him.

Colin:  Ah, good morning crib buddies!  Can you believe we all just slept for 11 hours.  Yeah, I know that the sun hasn’t risen yet, but I am so excited to be awake!  I already have so much on my mind to talk about: Football! TV! Go Bengals! Pickle! Dada, DADA!  I have so much energy right now that I want to roll around and shout!

6:00 a.m.

Mr. Confetti is the big winner and gets to get out of bed early with Colin most mornings, since this is when they get their quality time on weekdays.  He brings in C’s cup of milk and they sit and read and play for a little while, as I lay in bed for an extra 15-20 minutes until I get up and walk the dog.

Colin:  Yes!  Dada!  I love my dada the most!  And after a long night, I am so happy for my milk!  Wait, why aren’t we cuddling anymore?  I don’t want a fresh diaper! AHHH!  Oh, it’s over already?  Great.  Time to start running in circles.

6:30 a.m.

Colin and I hang with Mr. Confetti while he showers and then we eat breakfast while he gets ready for work.  There are often tears when Mr. C leaves the house, but we shake it off eventually, finish eating and then play for a while.

Colin:  My dad is so weird – he is always taking a shower when no one is forcing him to get in, and then we have to stop playing!  At least mommy brought me the bagel I have been begging for.  Oh, you know what would be fun?!  I think the bagel should be a hat (rubs cream cheese on hair).  Mom!!  Wahhhh!!  I was so excited about that new hat!  How dare you take that away from me, wahhhhhhh!!  Oh yeah, I still have grapes.  I guess I’m not that sad.  I wonder if these grapes can fly? Whoa, why aren’t I in my high chair anymore?  Ok, more running in circles – I love getting dizzy.  Dad, wait, don’t go!  Wahhhh!!!  Oh, okay, mom’s still here.  Hey mom, let’s play chase.

8:00 a.m.

After what seems like hours of play, we grab our things and head to the gym so that I can grab a quick workout, and hopefully a shower. Colin plays in Kid Care, then we run a quick errand and head home for pre-nap lunch.

Colin:  What?  Pants?  Does this mean we’re going somewhere?  Ok, fiiiiiiiiiiine, into the car we go!  Oooh – the gym!  I love my gym buddies Evan and Lissa.  Wait, you’re not staying here?  Alright lady, if you give me my pacifier, I promise to chill in here for a while without causing too much of a scene.  Oh, my tummy feels funny.  “Poop!”  Yep, I just pooped and told Lissa and now you have to come back from wherever you disappeared to and change my diaper.  Ha!  Joke’s on you.  Oh wait?  You’re leaving again?  Ugh.  I will give you 10 or so more minutes before someone looks at me the wrong way and I burst into hysterics so you have to come get me.  So shower fast.  I’m so glad to have my mom at my beck and call, even if it feels like we always have somewhere to be.  Target, grocery store, dry cleaners – no, mom, I will not smile and say “hi” on command to every old lady at the check out counter.  Not. Interested.

11:00 a.m.

After giving C his milk and getting him settled for nap, it. is. bliss.  He’s sleeping.  I give myself 5 minutes to myself for a few deep breathes after the morning hustle, and then it’s a power clean up from the disaster that was pre-nap-lunch and the toy hurricane that blew through this morning.  Once C is deeply asleep, I quickly pop outside with the dog so she can do her business, and then I come in to relish in the quiet and stillness of nap time.  I start some laundry, unload the dishwasher, eat lunch, respond to emails, and handle any other necessary household tasks, before I work on blog posts or some other project.

Colin:  Exhaustion.  Zzzzzz.

1:45 p.m.

I hear the little man stirring and wait until he settles before getting him out of bed.  We sit down for post-nap lunch, since he naps right during conventional lunch time.  Maybe if I call it “snack,” he will be more cooperative with actually eating the food in front of him. Since he has never been willing to wear a bib, we move on to yet another shirt after the mess of eating is through.

Colin:  Ugh, I love my crib.  I’m awake, but wish I was still sleeping.  That mommy better not rip me out of the crib before I’m ready, or I will be grumpy allllll afternoon.  Uh oh, here she comes.  (Crawl around crib in circles).  Good – she’s just going to sit there in the rocking chair and wait. (More circles).  Ok lady, here I am.  Let’s get this diaper change over with quick. Oh, time for more food.  Cool.  I will probably reject whatever it is and demand a pickle instead.  Or raisins.  Man, do I love raisins… maybe if I ignore these leftovers long enough, mom will give in and give me raisins instead.  Or she’ll give up and give me goldfish at playgroup.

3:00 p.m.

After he eats, we are out the door, either for a play date or to find something fun to do outside the house for a couple of hours (library, museum, errands, etc.)  Today, it’s play group with a few of my good friends I’ve made since having C.  We chat while the kids run wild, exploring and playing, and we do our best to intervene now that sharing has become a paramount challenge.

Colin:  I love playing – I am great at it – but I don’t understand why all these girls are around, and why they won’t let me have all of the toys.  Ladies, back off of my blocks, seriously.  If not, I will throw them at you, since obviously that’s how I solve my problems.  And if I see you with crackers, you better watch out.  I have at least five pounds on all of you, and I’m not afraid to use them…those Goldfish are definitely worth it.

5:00 p.m.

We head home, take the dog for a quick trip around the block, and then relax with dinner and a bit of Sesame Street, because despite the reprieve during nap time, I am beat.  After reading a few books, it’s time to wear out that last bit of energy trapped inside C with an intense game of chase before bath, pajamas, milk, tooth brushing, book and bed by about 6:45 p.m.

Colin: Doggie!  I love my doggie and must hold the leash from the comfort of my stroller, even if it means I lose my wrist or my mom loses her mind trying to stop me.  Then it’s another high chair battle – how many times do you think I have to say “apple” before my mother gives in and cuts one up, since they are healthy.  Then I’ll take two bites and leave the rest – I think I just like the journey more than the destination.  Finally the best part of my day – CHASE – I could run like this for hours…oy.  I keep falling over.  I’m feeling kinda funny.  Am I tired?  No…must. fight. the. sleepiness.  Run, run, run.  I can’t believe mom tricked me into running to the bathroom with the Elmo bath room again.  Ok, ok, I’ll do it.  Bath, pajamas, milk, chew on toothbrush, book – I pick which one!, and bed, glorious bed.  Who knew I was so exhausted?  What do you say crib buddies?  Let’s rest for a bit.  Night night.

7:00 p.m

Ahhhhh.  I can sit.  In the silence.  I decompress for a bit, and then get back up to cook dinner (Colin always eats leftovers), eat, do more laundry (does it ever end?) and straighten up around the house.  Mr. Confetti gets home between 8 and 9, and I keep him company while he eats.  Then we both pass out soon thereafter, usually between 10 and 11 p.m., and get ready to start the daily grind again tomorrow.

Colin:  Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Do you ever imagine what goes through your toddler’s head?