Daily Routine

I think that having a daily routine is beneficial to twin toddlers. It gives them structure and reduces the possibility of a meltdown. I think toddlers like knowing what comes next. It also helps me get things done during the day. Based on the routine, I know when I can do certain things, such as: grocery shop, laundry, clean the house, get outside, etc. The routine makes my life easier. The schedule goes something like this:

5:30 wake (early, yes, but we both work so it works for us)
6:15 breakfast
8:00 nap
9:30 wake
9:30-12 run errands, play, snack
12:00 lunch (sometimes this changes to 12:30ish)
1:00 nap (sometimes this changes to 1:30)
3:00 wake
3-5:00 play, go for a walk, read books, snack
5:15 dinner
5:45-6:30 play with Daddy
6:30 bath, milk
7:00 bed

My husband is a bit frustrated about the schedule. He thinks it is too rigid. I disagree. I think that in between naps and meal times there is a lot of flexibility. I just don't think it is wise to run meal times and nap times at different times during the day everyday. Yes, we have to schedule what we do depending on the twins' schedule. Am I wrong? I would love to hear from others about this.... please leave a comment below.

The weekend

Beautiful weekend here. I love autumn. We attempted a Fall Festival on Saturday. Then John had a total meltdown. He was carrying on to the point that it appeared as if he was foaming at the mouth. It was ridiculous. Dear god, we were only off the schedule about 15-20 minutes.
Note to self: I am the mother. I know the schedule. Must follow the schedule every day, even on weekends
The rest of the weekend we hung around the house. We did take in a lovely walk along the pier - I did not have the camera for that.
Have a great week.

Kiddos at 13 months:

The job

I don't think I ever mention how lucky I am to have the job that I have. I work for a family business that has continued to be successful and grow. I really enjoy going to the office. I enjoy everyone I work with. I like the atmosphere. I like that it's casual. It's dog friendly. I love that I get to write and use my creative skills. I like the pay, the flexibility, and the perks. Next Friday a massage therapist is coming to the office to provide everyone with a 15 minute neck and shoulder massage. Boy, could I use one. The beauty of it is that the massage therapist coming in is my "regular" massage therapist and very good friend. I don't get to visit with her much these days. So, the perk benefits me in two ways.

This is what one of my favorite coworkers made for my desk area:





I love it! It is sort of empowering for me.
I hope that you all have jobs that you enjoy.

At the zoo

The kids and I hit up the Cleveland Zoo on Friday with our good friend Donna. As expected, the kids were awesome right up until their nap (1:30) time.. John couldn’t even keep his head up and eyes open on the wagon ride back to the car. Gotta love that they know their schedule.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera back at the bus, I mean minivan. However, Donna took a few shots.

I wanted to mention that Elinor is walking really well now with an occasional crawl. No more bottles for either baby todder. Woo Hoo! The evening bottle was actually much easier to get rid of than the morning one. Next on the checklist is Elinor’s paci. I refuse to buy any more, so when they are all lost and gone.. That’s it!

Grandpa and Mimi are passing through tomorrow and will stay for the night. It’s always nice to have them here.

The weather has been outstanding. I wish it were like this for Spring, Summer and Autumn. Andy and I even had the chance to sit outside last evening with a fire in the pit.

I tried to watch Mad Men at 10pm, but as usual, I couldn’t keep my eyes open past the first commercial.

Have a great week!

The time has come

We are a minivan family now.
I have not adjusted to the idea quite yet. Am I really one of those moms? Uugh! I am sure that what little appeal I had left is now gone in one swift swoop...all because of a minivan.....

Sacrifices

As most of you know, a mother has to make many sacrifices. So, I have decided that I need to add another sacrifice to my list… Apparently I am not able to take a minute to use the bathroom. In the short time that I was in the bathroom, with the door open, Elinor and John managed to pull down the dishwasher door. Elinor had climbed on top and was in a sitting position and John was walking around the kitchen holding onto a chef’s knife that he had removed from the silverware tray. No more pee breaks for me.

Summing it up

Okay so I have lapsed a bit in the blogging area and not without complaint. Sorry

people. I’ll give you a summary of the past 2 weeks.  Other than slamming the car door on my pinky finger, the trip to NJ was wonderful.  We really enjoyed visiting with my cousin and her family, as well as my wonderful auntie and uncle.  The trip home during daylight hours got a bit tricky with the kiddos… but all in all they handled it pretty well. When we stopped to picnic, we sat them in their booster seats on the ground.  Pretty silly.  However, it worked. Andy drove the whole way home and then he fixed dinner for the kids, tidied up dishes and the kitchen and helped with the baths.  I don’t know where he gets his energy.

 Kelly and Lex stayed for a few days and helped with the kids.  Lex is a natural with the kids.  And she never had to be asked – she just acted.  I showed her how to make brownies and chocolate sauce from scratch the last evening she was here.  She showed me some of her Irish step dancing which John loved.  He began kicking his legs and feet after watching her.  It was hysterical.  (Not only is John as silly as his father, but I think he has a bit of Uncle Peter in him too).  I loved having the girls here.  Oh, and we also witnessed John leaning over to kiss Elinor on the cheek.  Oh my gosh – it made me cry.

Andy and I celebrated his 35^th birthday out to dinner and a wee bit of the Irish Festival.

Elinor has started to walk. Gosh darnit, it is so difficult trying to get video of her walking.  I’ll keep trying.  She waves her hands and arms in the air and sticks out her tongue.  So stinkin’ cute.

The kids are into everything – which is hard to understand because we don’t really have that much stuff.  Things go missing on a daily basis.  I am missing my wonderful big and fluffy makeup brush.  Who knows where that is.  Andy’s hairbrush was on the livingroom floor this morning. I have been missing one of Elinor’s shoes for weeks.  Blocks go in the toilet. Pacifiers are found in laundry bins. Toys travel to every room. 

No plans for the long holiday weekend. 

Happy Anniversary Andy! Xoxo