My grandmother married my grandfather during WWII. He then left to fight while she stayed and gave birth to my father. She lived in San Francisco near Golden Gate Park. Her mother hired her a nurse to help her take care of the baby. My grandma tells the story that the nurse was very strict and said “there is no excuse not to have everything done and be in the park by 11:00 am.” So everyday my grandma would get up, feed the baby, clean up, do laundry, etc. and be in the park by 11. I always think about that and in turn try to be out of the house doing something by 11. Most days I walk down to Union Square {two blocks away}. Today, even though it was miserable and pouring I packed Moses into the sling, caught a cable car and made my way down to the Ferry Building where I ate several macaroons and bought some fresh bread for dinner.
debi van zyl
January 24, 2008
your day sounds delicious!
Haydee
January 24, 2008
I love that! and I love old school thinking like that. This is a much to deep topic to simply comment about but even with all our conveniences we (and I mean me) modern moms don’t get as much done and manage to whine about the few things we do. We (again I) am so easily overwhelmed.Thanks for the daily inspiration..Your blog is my favorite of all!
sunny
January 24, 2008
what a good idea – to have everything done by 11 and then go out and do something1
when I first read it, I was thinking of all I have to do tonight before I can sleep, and was thinking 11 PM then I read your post correctly!
your day does sound lovely!
embee
January 24, 2008
i really like that concept. its something worth trying in my own life.
robin k
January 24, 2008
I want some of those macaroons, Jordan.
MamaAngel
January 24, 2008
Very, very smart advice. And good for you for taking it! Getting out of the house every day is imperative for my sanity with a 2.5 year old…..
Crystal & Co.
January 24, 2008
Sounds like our routine. The structure as well as experiencing the diversity of our neighborhood has been great for me and my children.
Good job mom.
🙂
Crystal & Co.
January 24, 2008
Sounds like our routine. The structure as well as experiencing the diversity of our neighborhood has been great for me and my children.
Good job mom.
🙂
liz s
January 24, 2008
yeah, maybe 11pm
Heidi
January 24, 2008
my pediatrician told me years ago when I had two little ones to get out of the house everyday–no matter what you do–a walk down the street, the park, the backyard. It literally saved my life–I was a changed person. It was the best advice I ever received at a difficult time in my mommyhood.
btw–I always enjoy your posts!
Meg
January 25, 2008
Such a lovely story! It’s so funny, I was reading your blog at work, and you were one block away from me yesterday. Now, I know what the weather was like, and I’m not sure how lovely a day that was, but it was brave and probably fun.
JRose
January 25, 2008
I am truly inspired by this! Thanks for sharing.
Liss
January 25, 2008
That is such a great concept to incorporate into your life, especially for moms. This advice is perfect timing for me – I’m due with my first on March 22! Hopefully I’ll have days as beautiful as yours sounded.
P.S. Now I want some macaroons!
ashlynn
January 25, 2008
i like that idea – sounds like a plan to me!
Kirsten
January 25, 2008
That’s genius! Cheers to strict nurses. I don’t even have a child, but I need to adopt this policy for weekends. If only I could get my husband to play along…
Mom in Mendon
January 25, 2008
I heard the story from the same grandmother. It wasn’t popular to nurse babies during that time, so her a.m. routine included sterilizing glass baby bottles and mixing up formula (made from evaporated milk, water, Karo syrup)so the bottles for the day were lined up in the fridge.
Shar
January 25, 2008
i try to shower by noon
karla
January 25, 2008
Sounds like a near perfect day – I love it!
swell.life
January 25, 2008
Oh what a sweet, sweet sentiment. Work hard : Play hard. Sometimes I forget that you have to make time for free time. I could putz the day away!
Julie
January 25, 2008
How utterly romantic. A day in the life of a city girl with baby.
Smiling Mama
January 28, 2008
Oh I love that advice! Thanks for sharing it!
mamacita
February 4, 2008
Okay, I just read this post again and wondered, “Hey! If your grandmother was taking care of the baby, sterilizing the bottles and doing the laundry, what was that nurse doing, anyway?”