Whoever said that was a male from the fifties!

At 16 mos old my boys were very active and kept getting more so through their toddler years. I "locked" them up so I could cook; they stayed in the gated family room or gated playroom and I would check on them often. I also cooked very quick meals. We ate lots of leftovers. I'd cook a few things (or double the portions) on Sunday when my hubby was home and freeze some/all to reheat through the week.

As for a clean house, I'll say this: It's more important for you to spend quality time with your children than be stressed out about the house being messy. I kept their playroom organized. I tried to have them help me clean up one toy before taking out another. That doesn't always work, so I'd clean the rest after they were in bed. Hubby helped with this too since I labeled their toy bins/shelves so he's know where the toys went.

Laundry will just get worse and more. My boys are now 5 and I have a 2 yr old too. I do laundry whenever I'm home. I may wash in the morning then dry at dinnertime and fold once they're asleep. (Hubby helps with folding.) My house may look messy but it's clean. When my boys would nap, I'd scrub toilets and Swiffer the kitchen floor. On weekends, my hubby vaccumed (and still does). I taught my kids how to dust since I hate it. They love to wear their dusting mitts and help Mommy. Table was wiped with a vinegar and water mixture, 1 part to 4 parts. My "Mommy spray" bottle is also used to wipe window smudges and handprints ocassionally, wipe toys that can't be hand washed after playdates. I even use it to wipe door knobs and light switches. The harsh chemicals don't come out while the children are awake. I use Clorox type wipes for the toilet (and doorknobs/light switches/hand rails when anyone is sick). My hubby understands that the house won't look pristine until the kids are gone! He'd rather come home to a happy family than a "museum" of a house. (Though from birth to about 4, dinner time/daddy's home was a cranky crazy time most days!)

Good luck and you'll survive!