With baby number 2 on the way, what better time to get in a steady routine of being clean and organized than now?

Over the next few weeks I'm going to write a few posts related to these topics to share things I'm learning as well as get some tips and tricks from any of my readers out there.

First order of business is "Time Management 101."

The other day I was staring at a pile of dishes in my sink, a cluttered living room, unswept floor, and two piles of laundry. I thought to myself, "Where did all of this come from and where did the day go?"

Then I actually thought about it. I'm ashamed to say a huge chunk of my day was spent online. Not all in one sitting of course, but spread out across the day and on my phone too. I think I calculated maybe 2 or 3 hours spent online (maybe more some days) - reading facebook updates, checking all the sales and deals for the day, deleting emails, reading my favorite blog posts, posting a few cool ideas on pinterest....etc.

I was horrified to think I spent so much time online while my house went to hell.

So I decided I needed to set a schedule and some limits.

As a preliminary trial run, here is what I'm thinking as far as a schedule. I'm not thinking I will do everything exactly at the time specified, this will just be more of a guideline to try and go by.

DAILY SCHEDULE:

6 - 7 or 8 am (Before Jenna wakes up) Internet time: I'm going to allow myself this quiet time to catch up on all things internet, facebook, blogs, sales, etc. ONLY 1 Hour max.

7- 9 am Make Beds, Breakfast, and a Walk w/ Jenna

9 - 10 am Shower & get ready for the day

10 - 12 pm Jenna's nap - Put one load of laundry in and do one chore (ie. sweep, vacuum, dust, etc.)

11 or 12 pm Lunch

12 - 1 pm Playtime with Jenna

1 pm - 2 pm Run any errands

2 - 4 pm More playtime, Jenna's afternoon nap, organize mail, & one chore.

4 - 6 pm Prepare & eat dinner

6 - 8 pm TV time, relax with family, do dishes & wipe counters

8 - 9 pm Get ready for bed & pick up clutter in living room

Two days a week I work in the afternoon and Jenna goes to my sister-in-laws for a couple of hours. We also do a baby class once a week (soon to be twice a week) and go to Breastfeeding Chat Group and Craft night, so some days will be different than others.

MY DAILY MUST DO CHORES:

If nothing else gets done, these do -

Make Beds
All Dishes Done & Counters wiped off before bed
One load of laundry - washed, dried, folded, and put away
Clutter picked up from common areas
Trash taken out if stinky

MY WEEKLY CHORES -

Menu planning/grocery shopping
Sweep/Mop (I wish I was one of those that did it everyday, but I am lucky if I do my floors once a week)
Clean Bathrooms - toilets, sinks/counters, floors, tubs/showers
Wash & change towels & sheets
Dust
Filing/Bill Pay
Kitchen - Scrub stovetop, microwave, polish refrigerator

I really like the "Weekly Work Schedule" from the Want What You Have Blog. I used this as a guide for my own to-do list.

I also found an awesome printable from Clean Mama shop on Etsy. It's the "Weekly Cleaning Checklist" from the "New Cleaning Kit." I keep mine on my fridge & check stuff off as I complete.