As of last weekend, our families have moved out of Charlotte, forcing us to survive on our own after 7 weeks of non-stop help.
We survived, but it is very grueling. We are also very blessed to have the support of our church community and many friends who have come by to help and will continue to do so. We are also going to have a lady start helping us during the days.
However, let me give you a glimpse of one day this week as we did it on our own:
12:10am–pumped
12:40am–back to bed
4am–pumped
4:30am–back to bed
6:15am- woke up, got dressed, washed bottles from last night, prepared bottles for the day
6:40am-night nanny departed
6:45-7:15am- went for a run
7:15am-showered, dressed, prepared Ellie’s breakfast, warmed bottles, set up for feeding, woke up babies, diapered and changed babies
8am–fed three babies, pumped, got Ellie fed and ready for school
8:45am–Wes and Ellie left for school; babies very fussy; washed bottles, cleaned up breakfast, started load of laundry
9:15am–helped babies settle in for nap, finished getting ready for day, vacuumed, paid bills, returned phone call, cleaned up around house
10:30am–checked email
10:35am–friends arrived to help with 11am feeding
11am–fed three babies, pumped
11:45am–loaded up babies in car seats, said goodbye to friends
noon–loaded up car, headed to school to pick up Ellie
12:30pm–at school, waited in carpool line, wished I brought something to read
12:43pm–Ellie loaded up, headed back home
1:10pm–unloaded all four kids, got Ellie changed, read Ellie books and put down for nap
1:40pm–cleaned up Ellie’s school bag and lunch, reorganized from car trip, prepared bottles, received meal from church family, changed all three babies
2:00pm–fed all three babies at the same time by myself (!), pumped
2:45pm–got babies settled, washed bottles, prepared bottles for rest of day/night, folded laundry and put most of it away
3:15pm–put babies in car seats
3:30pm–got Ellie up, changed her, loaded car, took all four to playgroup
3:55pm–friends helped us get out of car at playgroup
4:4opm–left playgroup, had to get back in time for 5pm feeding
5pm–Wes arrived, fed all three babies, tried to entertain Ellie, pumped
5:45pm–prepped dinner, fed dog, washed bottles, calmed babies, calmed babies, calmed babies
6:10pm–ate dinner as a family
6:35pm–cleared table, did dishes, prepped bath
6:50pm–Ellie bathed
7:10pm–Ellie dressed, brushed teeth, read books, put to bed
7:35pm–prepped everything for night nanny, got myself ready for bed, warmed bottles, changed babies
8pm–fed three babies, pumped, settled babies for bedtime
8:45pm–washed bottles, put away rest of laundry, finished getting ready for bed, read for 10 minutes
9:15pm–lights out
Did I forget something? I am very tired just reviewing it. However, it was a necessary day to build my confidence and help me get over the fear that I am completely dependent on others. It is doable by myself, but there is no wiggle room in this schedule for fun or incidentals in life (hence, the need to have daytime help on board). I also crashed the next day when the adrenaline wore off. We’re recovering, sort of, this weekend. Off to get the bottles ready!