Routine: We all need one.

A daily routine is a important to babies as it is to parents.  Let's face it...it's important to any person really.  Since having our son, it's been a dramatic change in our lives.  I thought I was a planner before Isaac was born but little did I know how much of a planner I would become after he arrived.

It has been a total change for me and now I have a different weekly routine.  It helps me get everything done that I need to.  I have slowly worked myself into this routine by adding one or two things at a time over time.  For example, I wasn't working out right away after having Isaac. I needed time to heal.  Remember he weighed over 10 lbs.  So first I worked on getting a routine down involving cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc.

Sunday - Church & family day
Monday - Yard Work
Tuesday - Laundry
Wednesday - Finish Laundry if not done
Thursday - Grocery Shopping
Friday - Clean House
Saturday - Errands if needed, family day

Obviously sometimes things don't workout exactly this way but I try to stick to this routine as much as possible.   I like to keep the weekends for fun family time and open if we have relatives visit.

About a month ago, I went back to work part time.  This was another thing to work into my routine.  I work 2 hours per day during the week and 4 hours at the office on Wednesdays.  I get my work done in the morning when Isaac takes his long nap of the day and then tackle my housewife tasks.  So far it's working out great.  Isaac is still not used to being a the sitter house on Wednesdays and getting a bottle but we'll work on that.  I'm not used to it yet either.

Now that I have this routine down, it was time to add exercising to my routine.  This was the most difficult since I had to also work around my husband's schedule so that I could leave the house, head to the gym and get a good workout in.  My goal was to workout 3 days a week at the gym.  So now my routine involves working out on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesday nights.  I add walks in the afternoons where I can and when I can (if the weather permits).

Isaac is on a 4 hour routine and is doing great.  He's a great sleeper at night and loves to wake up talking to himself in his crib in the morning.  He loves to sit in his swing or Johnny Jumper so I can clean up in the kitchen or make dinner.

I've found that a routine makes life less stressful for me and my family.  I have also found that it's important to still be spontaneous and flexible to a change here and there, especially if it's a fun change. I'd rather be having fun and spending time with my family and friends than worrying about cleaning my house.  It gets done eventually.

What's your routine and what tips do you have that help you keep your routine or help you get your weekly tasks complete?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.