Productivity

It’s been just over 2 months since Elijah joined us (crazy, I know!), and I am still struggling with being “productive” at home. I have decided that productivity is completely relative to each unique situation, but it has taken me nearly 8 weeks to understand this concept! As an OT I am used to being held to a certain standard of productivity…how many patients I can see a day and for what amount of time. At the end of the day, I can quickly show what I have accomplished!

Well, times have changed! Now, I look at productivity in terms of how many bottles we’ve been through, the number of times I’ve cleaned Elijah up after a dirty diaper, and (depending on that second task), how many wardrobe changes/baths he has endured! Luke comes home from work, and all I have to show after an entire day at home is a clean, well-fed baby and (if I’m really ambitious) an empty dishwasher or perhaps a washed load of laundry (but probably not dried and definitely not folded!). I am usually out of my pj’s by that time, but rarely showered! Seriously! Is this normal?!

Because I have started feeling like a stay-at-home “blob” rather than a stay-at-home mom, I have made up a list to keep me productive each day…

1. Read/listen to my Bible daily – I have found that my only real quiet time is when Elijah is eating or sleeping. So, to maximize my time, I have purchased the Bible on i-tunes and started listening to it while I feed Elijah which takes a good 45 minutes. I’m cruising right through Leviticus…so far, so good!

2. Get outside (weather permitting) – Even if it’s just a trip around the neighborhood, playtime on the patio, or a walk to the grocercy!

3. 25 push-ups – Ok, I know this is pitiful (as MawMaw would say) but keep in mind that this is the bare minimum! If I can’t get to the gym or go for a good walk, at least I can do push-ups! I may have to add sit-ups and lunges at a later date.

4. Write at least 5 thank-you notes – I am really behind in this department! If you are waiting for one, thank you for your patience and don’t give up! We will write you!

5. I absolutely cannot check my email unless I have the time to respond that very minute - I’m like a hit-and-run emailer…love to read but never turn around and respond!

6. Write in Eli’s journal every day – Journaling is something I have never been successful with, but I really want to document (for all 3 of us) what we’re doing on a daily basis.

7. No Facebook until all of these are complete! – I’m not sure what it is about Facebook, but it is like a black hole for time (and brain cells) that just sucks me in! So much wasted time…but not anymore!!

So, there it is! If any of you have any tips/thoughts/suggestions on being productive please share them! I think this is a pretty good start so far…we’ll see how long it lasts! And, please DON'T think I am complaining! I LOVE staying home with Eli…I’m just learning a lot along the way!

Now, for the fun stuff…pictures! We had a great week with my brother and his girlfriend (Robert & Erica) as well as my cousin and her husband (Laura & JD) a couple of weeks ago! They all came and spent their spring break with us! Also, that same week we had 3 different showers for Elijah! It was a very busy week, but we had a great time!

Here you can see Luke and Eli catching up on some much needed rest!


The girls from Bible Study who hosted one of our showers (minus Erica & Emma)


Yes, we man-handled the Gorilla Sunday - 14 scoops, 2 bananas and 6 toppings!

Helping out Dad during a game of Things (our new favorite, thanks Laura D!)


Not only did we have lots of fun with our visitors, but we have made new friends with a little guy, "L", who is just one month older than Elijah. His mom has gone back to work, and we're going to watch him once a week or so to help out. This past Thursday was our first day together, and I got some really fun shots of the two of them! How exciting that they can grow and develop together over the next year and a half!







And, we'll wrap up with just a few pictures of Elijah. He is such a joy!