THE PLAN!

I’m day 2 of being off work, and today is going MUCH better than yesterday.

Janna was a miserable miserable, clingy mess yesterday, and it made for a challenging day.  It had been a few days since a BM for the poor girl, and last night right at bed time, she finally took care of business, and was much happier!   

Today is going great- and the kids have been playing together nicely with toys for an hour in the living room and I have had a chance to get some things done.   Applied for my Mat Leave EI, took care of a few phone calls, made some home-made guacamole for Dave...

I have been thinking a lot lately about how the kids will adjust to baby 3.  I think Janna is going to certainly have some jealousy issues at first, and I think Jesse will love it.  But, I know both the kids will be miserable if we don’t achieve a healthy balance of getting out every day, and having qaulity indoor time with each other.   So- I’ve come up with a new daily routine to set in place for the next month before baby 3 arrives.   Routine is SO good for kids, and having something that I can put in place and then sustain after a new addition will help everyone cope I think.  Also, I just love making a plan and sharing it!  So- I thought I’d share our daily routine.  We’re trying it out for the week and maybe will tweak it a bit... but it’s the different elements I’d like to include in the day, set up in an order that I think will keep my kids and myself happy J

7:00 Wake up! FOOD ! Breakfast and kitchen clean up.

8:00 READY FOR THE DAY Brush teeth, hair, faces, get dressed, pack bags

8:30 One Tv episode (Plan is to have some time to nurse baby 3 before heading out)

9-11:15 OUT!  I have been planning something out and about with the kids each day.  Some days it’s just errands and groceries and appointments, other days it’s a play date, a trip to Tim’s, play-classes or long trips to the park.   Most days are a combination of this and that.....  Either way- it’s a change of scenery and the kids are at their best this time of day for the public!  Lol.  Hoping to keep this up when baby 3 comes!  I find they are so much better behaved later in the day if they have had a good dose of fresh air/ and runnin’ around in the morning!

11:15-12 LUNCH

12-1 KIDS PLAY TIME  I have been encouraging Jesse and Janna to play together (without me) more often lately.  It’s been nice to see Jesse initiating games with Janna and them playing alongside each other in their kitchen or reading books.  I have been taking this time to clean up after lunch or send some emails or make calls, clean a bathroom, switch some laundry,  or whatever I need to do.  As important as it is for me to do things out and about with them, AND to get onto their level to play with them- being able to play independently is skill to be taught as well.    I also want them to learn that mommy has other jobs to take care of, and that as Much as I LOVE THEM DEARLY, the world does not revolve entirely around them.

1-3 NAPS

3-4 Snack/ Art and story time with mommy! I am so excited my kids are both finally into doing artsy things.  Some days we will just mash up playdough- paint, or do sensory activities.  But other days we will try and produce a final product.  I am very excited about coming up with new art projects for the 2 of them.

4-4:45 TV time while mom cooks!  Jesse will watch something, and Janna usually helps me in the kitchen

4:45-5:30 Supper/tea/family catch up

5:30-6:15 Daddy Outdoor Play hour with kids while momma cleans up

6:15 Bath and Bed Time Routine!

7:00 Lights out!

So, for all those free spirits, I’m sure this might just seem silly to you.   And I do realize that a newborn will throw certain plans and time frames OFF to a certain extent.  But, this is just the general goal and vibe for the day.  Things I want to include and ways to keep the kids and mom happy!   I will keep you updated on how it goes.  To end with, here are a quick few picture of my little loves playing nicely with each other this week.   Thanks for reading. I’m out!