FEEDING CYCLE

The "feeding cycle " is my life these days. I get about two hours during daylight that I'm not tied up in the cycle. It's hard. And I'm not writing this post to "brag" about my daily accomplishments as many bloggers do. No, I'm merely giving you a glimpse into the reason behind my lack of blogging as well as my lack of bathing, dressing, grooming, cleaning, socializing, exercising, and such... The days are long and yet so fast all at the same time and I can't seem to get enough kisses on my kids cheeks between feedings. Are you tired? No? You will be after reading my daily routine. We go through approximately 20 diapers a day - on a good day, probably 25 most days realistically. That's over 600 diapers a month. Rider's formula makes about 240 oz per $30 container. I did the math - it's roughly a $30 container ever 7-8 days. That's $110 formula a month. And the price of solid baby food is yet to be determined as we're just starting. I wash at least 35 bottles a week by hand and we expire a package of K1rkland brand wet wipes 1 every other day. Here's how:


CYCLE #1
7 am: Feed Rider a 7.5 oz bottle
7:30: Feed Owen
7:50: Change and Dress the boys
8:00-8:30 Breakfast for Layla & Feed Rider solids
9:00: Change and dress and do hair for Layla
9-9:30 get Rider and Owen to sleep
(This is where I have 1 magic hour to get things done)


CYCLE #2
10:30: Feed Owen
11:00: Feed Rider a 7.5 oz bottle
11:30-12:00: Lunch for Layla & Feed Rider solids
11:45: Get Owen to sleep
1pm: Layla and Rider down for a nap
(This is my second spot for a magic 30 min to get things done)


CYCLE #3
1:30: Feed Owen
2:30 Get Owen to sleep
3:00: Feed Rider a 7.5 oz bottle
3:30: Snack for Layla and entertain Rider
4:30: Feed Owen
5:30: Feed Rider Solids
6:00: Dinner for Layla (and although I attempt to eat at this time - it never happens)
6:00: Rider down for a cat nap
6:30: Bathe and put PJ's on Owen, then Layla, then Rider
7:00: Feed Rider a 8 oz. bottle and lay down to sleep for the night
7:30: Feed Owen
7:45: Read stories and sing songs and put Layla down for the night
8:00: Get Owen to sleep or play with his (he's usually wide awake this time of night... because it's the only quiet time of the day he can get 1-1 attention... poor kid)
(My third golden spot for a magic few hours to wind down before Owen eats again)


10:30 or 11: Feed Owen and
Midnight he finally falls asleep and I try to do the same because I'll be up to feed him again around 3 am.


Ahhhh.... Rinse and Repeat. I'm hoping to minimize the difference in feeding times so that Layla and Rider are always eating "solid meals" together and once Owen starts getting on a 3.5 -4 hour schedule it will give me a little more time between feedings. He's still holding strong for those every 3 hour feeds and eats for about 20 minutes and takes about 10 to burp and settle enough for me to put him down without a big fuss.... for for now the "cycle"  is a little harder than I expected. It will get easier the more Rider eats solids and the more time Owen gives me between feedings. Until then.... It's time to go feed again.


 And here's a few pics of the darlings that are consuming every moment of my life.

My "Bug-iz"

Usually answers to the name "O-wee"

And this is my "Ride-iz"

Have a good weekend!