What do you do all day?

Is this a question all moms get? Surprisingly, I get this a lot (at least to me). I am usually kind of taken back when asked and I just don't really know how to answer. All I really want to say is, "take care of my baby." I am not sure if the person inquiring is asking because I am in Hong Kong or because I stay home with Jadyn, or C: all of the above. I have wondered and wondered about this. Does it seem like my role as mother would be so different from those in the States? Or is it that people wonder what all homemakers do all day? Either way, I decided to enlighten you.


What is it that I do all day???

Wake up about 7:30 a.m., eat breakfast while Jadyn has tummy time, prayers with Cody, Cody leaves for work. Jadyn gets ready and then we play (this can include, but is not limited to, stories, tickling, singing, rhymes, tummy time, sitting time, Bumbo, play gym, stuffed animals, rattles, etc., etc.).



Jadyn takes a nap and I rush to the shower to try to be all the way ready before she wakes up approximately 45 to 60 minutes later. If we need to run errands, Jadyn eats and I put her in the front pack or stroller. Then we go (see details on our major chores here). By the time we get home it is time for Jadyn to eat and nap again. I get some lunch; most days Cody joins me. When Jadyn wakes up, she eats and we play again. Jadyn usually takes her long nap in the afternoon (between two and three hours). That is when I do dishes, fold laundry, update the blog, read books or magazines, etc. (hopefully I'll have more to do during this time when we get to Taipei, because I'll get my sewing machine, cake decorating stuff, and decorating book back... and I might have an oven). When Jadyn wakes up, we play again. Then I try to have dinner ready by the time Cody gets home. It is a full day. Pretty similar to a lot of you moms though, huh.

A day may also include phone calls to family and/or friends in the morning. Some time during the day we usually take pictures too, 'cause I just can't resist (once again, see our Picasa Web Album). We have also gone on walks, shopping, to play group, to Relief Society lunches, and met up with friends to do some site-seeing.

Our trip to the Olympic Piazza with Katie back in August:
When I first arrived here, I found I liked getting out and doing things during the day. It helped me feel less homesick and lonely while Cody was gone at work. I think I had a really hard time adjusting to having no adult interaction. I worked up until the day before Jadyn was born; then my mom, Cody, and Cody's family was around after I had her; then we went to Utah and were around family all the time. This was the first time ever that I didn't have an adult to talk to during the day. And if you know me, you know I like to talk. It was different and strangely quiet. Now that I am getting use to being a mom and being here, I find I prefer to stay home more. I like keeping Jadyn on her schedule and making sure she is getting her naps. I'm also trying to give her an as close to "normal" life as possible.

Something we did today:

Jadyn is getting more and more interactive. All I had to do to get her laughing today is stick out my tongue and say, "Blah." Oh, the things kids can get you to do...