Our Schedule... Yes, this is True!

Let me fill you in on a day with the Bumgarners.  A typical day at this point involves:

A diaper change and feeding for the twins at 5:00 a.m., followed by a huge cup of java, and the news. They typically eat for 60 minutes... Terrence gets up and goes to work, I might say "bye" to him and tell him "I love you have a good day," but I might not.  If I am lucky they sleep until 8:00 which gives me time to eat breakfast, let the dogs go out, feed the dogs, sweep, wash a few dishes, and miscellaneous things of that nature. I drink more coffee.

At 8:00 we feed again and change diapers. My mother-in-law arrives at 8:30 most days of the work-week to help out.  This happens to also be the time that Ava wakes up, needs to be changed, tries to use the potty, wants a drink, and goes through the cabinets or fridge until someone fixes her breakfast.  She usually tells me to put the babies down and come watch her eat at the dinning room table. She typically picks yogurt, which gets in her hair and all over the table... If I am lucky, I can wipe the table down between the 5:00 a.m. feeding and 8:00 a.m. feeding the next day, reference "miscellaneous things of that nature."

At 9:00 a.m. I often realize I have yet to go to the bathroom since the night before, have nasty teeth, notice my hair hasn't been brushed, and that I have breast milk pouring through my shirt.  Hopefully I can change shirts in the next few hours... I can always brush my teeth and hair tomorrow, reference "miscellaneous things of that nature.".

Between 9:30 and 11:00, the twins fight sleep, I watch boring television programs, and look at the computer. I dream about running. Sometimes I shower, change my shirt, and brush my teeth.  Other times, I put babies in the swing,  the bouncy seat, pull out the play-mat for tummy time, rock them both, or take them out on the porch. I may drink two sips of water during this time and cram a banana into my mouth because I probably wasn't lucky enough to have a minute for breakfast during the past 6 hours.

At 11:00 a.m. we feed and change diapers. Then it is lunch time because it takes nearly an hour to feed them...and I tandem feed. The twins might nap... actually they often do and I think to myself "what should I do until 2:00?"  Oh yeah, fix Ava's lunch, play "my little pony" with her, let her watch 30 minutes of Clifford, and let my mother-in-law catch up on "The Bold and the Beautiful," heck I think that is what it is called... it might be "The Young and the Restless," not really sure.  I am taking a liking to the crazy bitch on the program, I hate she might be pregnant, she's got an adult son, but this is a soap opera.  I may try to nap, but if I do the twins need something, the dogs bark, or I'm just not tired anymore.  I bite my fingernails and again think about running.  The thought of drinking wine passes through my mind. I call Terrence and choke back tears. I am not sad, I just really miss him.  I need more sleep.

Between 2:00 and 5:00, after eating and being changed the twins are fairly tired and sleep.  Probably because my father-in-law drops by and holds one of them while it sleeps and my mother-in-law takes the other.  Ava begs to play outside and tries to convince the dogs to go with her.  I do a few household chores. I may at this point finally brush my teeth.  I think about work, running, and tea. I have put off thinking about wine, because I would rather run, they don't mix. I learned this the hard way, not once, twice. One was drinking the night before a half marathon, wait I did that twice... change this to three times. The other time, is not important, and needs no mention.

At 5:00, we feed again... change diapers.  Terrence often arrives home.  Ava is bouncing off the walls and has had seven packs of fruit snacks by now.  My in-laws are gone until tomorrow.  I try to get a short run in, actually I might just run really fast so I can log an extra mile.  I didn't know my life would be constant speed work, what happened to long slow distance?  I do leave the house and go to hit the trails or a park.  After running, or not, I feel like I am stuck in the recliner until the next morning.  Dinner is made, by one of us, Ava and Terrence eat together.  I might eat an hour later, I may eat with them, I may eat at the same time but while I feed the twins. I sometimes don't eat. Ava goes to bed at 7:30,  we brush our teeth (I figure I can sneak one in at this time), we always read the same three books, say our prayers, and then I hear crying.  I realize it is time to feed the twins again, I bet I'll change at least two diapers.  I failed to mention my folks  show up to visit around 6:00 some days.  They tend to Ava and dote on the new grandbabies. They bring chocolate for Ava, she eats 8 kisses, and I don't care... I assume she is getting calcium or antioxidants. I am too tired to stress about healthy lifestyles, we have been healthy for her entire life, this twin-thing is like a mini-vacation. She can eat sweet potatoes and salmon, next year.

From 8:00 until 11:00 Terrence and I don't talk.  I may drink a glass of wine, watch television, and maybe go lay in the bed for a bit. Terrence takes care of the next feeding, often.  At 12:00 even though they just ate at 11:00, I am awoken by screaming.  I change diapers, try to feed, and try to get the babies back to sleep.  For some odd reason, they want quality time to be around 1:00 a.m.  From 2:00 a.m. until 5:00 a.m. I pass out in the recliner.  I don't remember what my bed looks like.  I think my room is upstairs... but that is long forgotten memory.

The day starts over as the sun rises again... another 24 hours down. 

I was recently asked if I could change anything about my life right now.  It took a split second to respond. No, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the whole world... not even more sleep, fine wine, or a long, long run! I have the perfect life. Thank-you God, it is truly appreciated!