06 February - The Whole Morning Routine Shebang

I actually woke up before the alarm today. Amazing. We went to bed early last night - just before 9 - because we were all sick. This morning, my fever is gone and though I don't feel great, I do feel better. Mara seems better too. Joe still had a high fever when I got up, but the fresh dose of Tylenol did its work well. Today he is scheduled to go to a service school that ensures the shop keeps its Master Service Dealer status.

This challenge is supposed to be a little more than just getting up early every day, though that alone is sufficiently stretching for me. I'm working on establishing a good morning routine, one that will not only get me up at a consistent time every day and give me time to write, read, and pray, but also that will help us to get ready, have breakfast together, and get Joe on the road to work early so he can open up the shop before the technicians arrive. The shop opens at 9 and he is wanting to be there by 8:15.

Morning Routine
5:00 Up, Start Coffee, Dress
Write, Bible Study, Pray, Plan
6:30 To computer - Post on blog, check email
7:00 Wake J. (J. wakes and dresses M.)
7:15 Breakfast
7:30 Clean up kitchen; Prep food for the day.
(J. gets ready to go.)
7:45 Joe leaves; Feed R.
8:00 Maintain: clean, laundry

I can't say we've had perfect success but definitely my consistency in getting up early is helping a lot. We've eaten breakfast, though sometimes running behind; Joe hasn't always made it out the door by 7:45. But we're doing better. We're going through all the steps, but we're still working on the timing. Of course, keeping a morning routine streamlined gets more complicated as more people are involved. Mine, after 6:45, involves my very much NOT-a-morning-person husband and two very little babies who can't do much for themselves yet.

Can I just take this opportunity, however, to say that babies are so much fun? I heard so many negative comments and stories when I was pregnant with Mara, and then even more when I was pregnant with Robbie. People predicted dire stress, never again getting a good night's sleep, years of frustration, not a moment to sit down, no time for myself, etc.

Some of that is true, yes. It is stressful when I'm nursing Robbie and Mara falls down and I can't pick her up and cuddle her. I have definitely lost quite a few good nights of sleep. I've been frustrated when Robbie is fussy for reasons I cannot ascertain or Mara is pushing the line just to push it. And there is no such thing as a day off from being a Mommy. Even when we get our family to babysit and we go out by ourselves, I can't help thinking about them and missing them and I love getting them back in my arms again.

However, what most people didn't mention was how much fun they are, how rewarding it is to care for these little children that God let me help create. I love hearing Mara say, "Ma-ma, Da-da." I'm fascinated by all the little expressions on her face and the sweet, playful personality she already displays. I love watching Robbie smile and coo and gurgle at me when I talk to him. I love cuddling with both of them. I love Mara's chubby cheeks pushed up in a smile and Robbie's long fingers wrapping around one of mine. I love watching Joe with them.

Children are a heritage, a blessing, a reward, a delight, a gift beyond price. Sure, there are difficult times and sacrifices to make. It's so worth it.

03 February - I Will Survive

Aaaah. Girls' Night. I am sleepy, but out of bed. The coffee is brewing right now and it can't be ready soon enough.

Last night my sister and my best friend and I had 'girls' night in.' Pizza, cookie dough, talking about boys, a stupid movie... the works. We had a great time and really, it didn't go too late. But even a midnight bedtime is extreme when the alarm goes off a mere five hours later.

So, not quite enough sleep last night but I will survive. The weekend has been great fun. Exhausting, but good.

I am really, really enjoying this quiet time awake before anyone else is stirring. It's still difficult getting myself out of bed but I am refreshed by the stillness, the time to sit and read and write and pray and think before the day begins. It hasn't been difficult to stay awake once I'm out of bed until today. Coffee is a big help. I know caffeine dependency isn't the best, but right now it's helping me reach my goal!

A side note: I'm really looking forward to seeing my husband today!

02 February - Freakin' Ridiculous

I moved from my Dad's house to my sister's last night, to her cute new cozy house. Despite our standard sister/life/family/relationships/world problems conversation, we still crashed around 10. Each of us having 2 kids effects the duration of these talks.

I slept like a cat in the sunshine. Except it was dark, and I'm not a cat.

I hit snooze once this morning; there is something about those extra ten minutes that helps me get adjusted to the actual waking up and getting out of bed. I got up, then crept across 2 miles of creaky wooden floors, trying not to wake up any of the sleeping children. I made it to the coffee pot after a few close calls.

Last night I told my sister I was getting up at 5 am.

"Why?" she asked. (A logical question.)

"I'm getting up at 5 for the whole month of February. Because I want to," I said.

"Annie," she said in her kindest older-sister voice, "you're freakin' ridiculous."

Can't really argue with that one.

01 February - Bring On the Coffee

I went to bed early last night, lights out by 10:15. I am in Mississippi visiting family right now, which makes this challenge both easier and more difficult. Easier because my night-bird husband is back in Missouri, so it's easy for me to actually go to sleep early! More difficult because I'm in someone else's house, so getting up early means tiptoeing around trying not to wake Dad up or stub my toes on unfamiliar furniture. So far I've inflicted no major injuries on myself.

Success thus far. I woke up twice last night, afraid I would oversleep and fail on Day One. It was a relief to roll over and see that it was only 1:00 am. Four more sweet hours. I woke up at 4, too, and went right back to sleep. Both the kids are in the room with me, but they slept well and didn't wake up when my alarm went off. I hit snooze once, then rolled out of bed and out down the hall. At 5:11 I was brushing my teeth.

I think the worst monthly challenge combination would be getting up early + giving up coffee. Ow. I have given up coffee two or three times before, during pregnancy and breastfeeding times. The first time was easy because I didn't even want coffee. Crazy pregnancy hormones get credit for that. I'm back no-holds-barred on the coffee wagon now, though. One challenge at a time.

Houston, we have lift-off.