Making the Most of Nap Time

So now that the Hubster is back to work and I'm a 'real' stay-at-home mom for a few months, I've had to get my priorities in order. Of course, my number one is my babe - while her beautiful blue eyes are open, I make the most of our time together. We play with her squishy squeaky toys, we cuddle, we coo. We have long conversations about what Mama is doing and I can speak baby babble fluently. Smiles and kisses, eating and poo fill my little muffin's waking hours.

But as soon as those long dark lashes start to flutter and those sleepy lids close with a sigh from those precious little lips, Mama leaps into hyperdrive. You see, nap time is precious to me (whispered in a Gollum-esque voice).

 Sometimes

Prioritizing is key here. I never know how long or short a nap may be, so I have to get the important things out of the way first. Number one on the list - EAT!

Between breastfeeding burning an extra 500 calories a day and my little motion-junkie personal trainer burning another ten bajillion, I get HUNGRY. Starving in fact. I'd even go as far as to say famished. And a mama with an empty belly is never good. I don't know about you, but I turn into something resembling Oscar the Grouch when I'm hungry. So filling my belly is the first thing I do after switching on the monitor.

Coming in at a close second is showering. I know that some moms say showering is overrated, but if I don't clean myself, I feel gross and disgusting all day long, which also makes me grouchy. Don't get me wrong - I can do it if I have to, but I think I'm a much more fun and focused mom when I don't stink.

 we nap

After that comes my to-do list. I think writing down five things that I'd like to accomplish during the day helps me to stay focused and keeps me from zoning out in front of the boob tube during my off-hours . Here's a sample list from today:

1) EAT
2) Shower
3) Fold & put away laundry
4) Write a blog post about making the most of nap time
5) Finish edging the back room

If I accomplish four or five items on my list, I feel like it's been a good day. Sometimes on a really good day I may even complete all five items and have some extra free time. In that situation I do anything from extra cleaning to surfing the web to reading a good book. I do think it's important to have some time for R&R - a girl can't be on the go 24/7. And if I get really tired in the thick of things, the list goes out the window and I lay down for my own little mommy nap. Because a tired mama is never good.

 together. ♥

In the evenings when the Hubs is home, I try to get one hour of me-time and one hour of cleaning in if at all possible.

And for all of you brand new mama's out there, please know that for about two-and-a-half months I could hardly put V down without her getting upset. So this whole five item to-do list thing is new. Until recently my list consisted of 1) Eat and 2) Shower and that was it. So don't be discouraged - it does get easier!

Speaking of napping...my little angel is awake - hope you have a restful and productive weekend!

Do you have any strategies for making the most of nap time? If so I'd love to hear about them!

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