Our new normal

So we are finally getting back in the swing of things. Yes, it took almost 3 months after having Charlie to finally get back on somewhat of a schedule. When it was just the three of us, we had a little routine. The house was picked up and cleaned (I mean really clean) by 9am. I would keep the house picked up and just really clean one or two rooms a day so I wasn't overwhelmed. Laundry was folded and put away everyday (which I only had to do one or two loads every other day usually). Dinner plans were made, whether it was in the crockpot or I just had a plan. Then by 10:00 or so Alice and I were off running errands, going to the park, or just playing outside or in the house. But when Charlie came along...the house went to you-know-what. I was good to just pick up toys, dishes, etc. once a week. And that was with having help from my parents or Clayton's parents. I blame that on lack of sleep, just having surgery, and the obvious...having a newborn with a bored almost 3 year old entertaining herself. However now that I'm no longer sore and Charlie is sleeping through the night, I have way more energy. We have a new normal routine now that has a bit more going on but we've become accustomed to it so things are getting back to how they were. At least a little bit. Don't get me wrong...the house is still not how it was. I'm in the middle of folding three (yes, three) baskets of clean laundry, while washing three more loads. And I will still have another three loads after that haha! I rarely have dinner plans. Its usually the same easy dinners rotated over and over. Luckily I have an understanding hubby who also likes to cook. So on his days off we get a new yummy meal :) Alice, Charlie and I have just started getting out of the house again. But I've just learned to try and balance things. At first I was stressed thinking "people with 3 kids have clean organized houses and still have time to do fun things with their kids!" However, eventually I know things will get easier. Charlie soon will be more independent. But for now he is only a baby for a little bit. It's already flying by (which I was warned it would happen much faster than the first child) so I have decided that I'll sit and hold my sweet baby while I should be doing laundry. Or I'll sit outside on the deck with Alice while she plays instead of vacuuming the house. Because it will get done, but I want to enjoy this time with my kids before I blink and they are both in school! :)