Jake and I are leaving to Vegas tomorrow morning. Rachael (a friend who used to be one of my Laurel's), and Becca are helping to take care of the boys while we're gone. I typed up basic schedule as a help/guide to these SWEET FRIENDS. After reading it I thought I'd post it here since its a simplified rundown of how my days are often spent:

6:00 am Dekker MIGHT wake up crying. He’s only woken up at this time twice in the last week (and those have been the two times I’ve nursed him this last week- so he IS weaned) so hopefully he won’t for you- but if he does let him cry 15-20 minutes. If he doesn’t fall back asleep get him up, change his diaper, and feed him breakfast. He’ll probably go back to sleep soon after.

7:15-7:45 Josh and Dekker both wake up. Josh usually comes in and snuggles in bed for a little bit and then says he’s hungry. He usually likes a Nutri-Grain bar. Sometimes he’ll ask for yogurt, cereal or milk in addition to or instead of. Dekker also likes a Nutri-Grain bar for breakfast- but I usually break it up for him and give him milk or water in a sippy cup. You can also mix rice cereal with milk and feed that to him.

You can take the boys to the play room to play. Josh may ask to watch a show or play a game on the computer. My advice is to try and hold off until Dekker goes down for his morning nap, then Josh will be entertained for a while and you’ll have a break to shower/get ready- but you can do what you like.

9:30-11:00 Dekker will get a little fussy and maybe even make the “sleepy” sign. I usually change him into clothes and sing “twinkle twinkle” while he holds his bear and then lay him in his crib. When you leave he may cry for a little bit- but if he cries for more than 5-10 minutes he’s probably not quite ready for a nap.

Once Dekker’s asleep you can tell Josh you need privacy and leave him entertained with something while you get ready. He may come up after 30 minutes and start asking if you’re done yet … Once you’re ready he’ll want a snack, want to play, or want to go outside. If he gets his boots, jacket and gloves on he can play outside. You can go with him, or let him go by himself if you remind him to stay in front of our house and check on him from the window/door pretty regularly.

11:30-12:30 Josh will want lunch. Options include, quesadillas, PB&J, Ham & Cheese (aka. “cool sandwich”), microwave burritos, mac n cheese, or hot dogs. He gets distracted VERY easily- so you may have to continue to remind him and help him eat his food. You can offer a pudding as a reward for eating all his lunch and that may help.

1:00 pm (or there abouts) Dekker will wake up from his nap. Feed him baby food, yogurt, applesauce or pieces of lunch meat and cheese. He likes to feed himself- so if you give him a spoon to “feed himself with” then you’ll have an easier time feeding him with a spoon of your own. If it’s something he can eat in bites himself- he does a little better. Oh- and Josh will probably be hungry for a snack again when he sees Dekker eating.

Play time. Errand time. Whatever.

2:30-3:30 they should both be ready for a nap. Josh will fight it. Have him go potty first- then tell him he can either pick a book to read or go straight to bed. Then read him/them a book. Then close his door and but Dekker down (twinkle, twinkle and bear- then lay down in bed). If Josh is bouncing around a lot I’ll got back in to snuggle with him. I usually sing one song with him and then tell him “no talking, just snuggles” or he’ll try and get you to sing/play/etc with him for forever. Usually if you lay quiet with him he’ll fall asleep after a few minutes. If he continues to fight it, and you’re okay with it, he doesn’t HAVE to take a nap- but that may mean he’ll be tired/grumpy around 6pm

Enjoy the quiet time for a bit.

If they’re still asleep at 5pm I start making dinner without them around (much easier). And then wake them up no later than 5:30pm.

Dinner options- There are pizzas, microwave burritos, chicken nuggets and tater tots in the freezer. You can also make mac n cheese, quesadillas or anything else that sounds good. Please help yourself to anything.

Play time/ T.V. or movie time.

8:30-9:00 Dekker will get fussy and maybe start making sleepy signs. Give him a last snack if he’ll take it, change him into pjs, brush his teeth (sponge bob and infant paste) and put him to bed.

Then “read scriptures” (just a few pictures with story line), and say prayers with Josh. He will fight going to bed. But be firm on getting him into pjs, brushing teeth and going to bed. You can read another book/snuggle/sing with him if you want- or just be firm and continue to tell him its bedtime. He gets one free “I need to go potty” out- and that’s it.
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Please let Roxy in at nights (you can put her in her cage if shes too wild) and let her out in the mornings. At the top of the steps outside is a container with her food- please fill her bowl each morning and make sure her water isn’t completely frozen.
Sunday church is from 1-4pm. I’m sure Rachael or some young women will volunteer to help with the boys in sacrament meeting. Josh goes to singing time first, and then his you pick him up from his classroom (the very south-west classroom of the North most hall) after the third hour. You’ll probably end up walking Dekker in the hall during most of the second and third hours. If you decide to leave church early I wouldn’t blame you.

You can also give the boys a bath during “play time” during the day. Just stay right there as Josh isn’t always very careful with Dekker, and Dekker LOVES to splash. Take Dekker out first- Josh can be in by himself for a while.

Watch for needing to go to the bathroom signs and remind/ask him once in a while. He’s pretty good- but sometimes waits too long if he’s busy/playing.

If Dekker is still congested you can give him 1ml (1/4 tsp) of Pedia Care medicine every four hours.

Josh will eat nothing but “granola bars” if you let him- try and give him other options (applesauce, yogurt, crackers, etc).