No A.M. Nap Equals More Time

My 13-month-old suddenly went from taking two 90 minute naps, to taking only one 90 minute afternoon nap.  Although I was expecting this, I was also hoping that she’d combine the two naps to do one, nice long one.  That’s not happening yet.  And until it does happen (fingers crossed), we have a lot more time on our hands. 

On Tuesday morning, I took her on a 3.5 mile run in the jogger through the peaceful and pleasant Liberty Pole neighborhood.   It was the perfect morning for a run, not too hot and very sunny.  My daughter loves relaxing in her stroller, eating a mum mum and watching the kids, cars and dogs on the street.  As we approached the south school, I saw a mom dropping off her little girl. The girl hopped out of the car and instantly began running toward the school as her mother began shouting to her.  “I love you!! Have a good day. I love you!! Be good.  I love you!!”  The little girl kept on running, never turning back.  I couldn’t help but think this will be my baby in just four short years.  Imagining this is bittersweet. 

When we returned home it was still just 9:00 a.m.

Our afternoon was filled with salted caramel and watermelon pinkberry froyo at Derby and a trip to the Gardner street playground.  My daughter had fun pushing around tractors and cars on the court, and I had fun meeting new moms at the picnic bench.  In Hingham, I always seem to meet moms with four kids, and since we just have the one, I’m in utter astonishment on how they manage the chaos.  I love gathering tips.  “Sticking to a routine is key,” this one mom tells me. “Once they get a little older and you train them to stay in their beds and sleep, it’s not hard anymore”.   I nodded in awe; this particular mom did seem relatively relaxed.  It was really hot, and after about an hour my daughter literally had a heat “meltdown” and we had to leave.

In the end, I think having a big chunk of time in the morning will be great, but it’s still and adjustment, especially since she’s the first and this is all new. 

Aside from the local story times, what you do with your kids in the mornings?