Getting into the groove

JM and I have our weekday routine down now:

Approx. 6 am - Wake up
Much to early for mom. I attempt to cuddle with him in the darkness/quiet (Maggie is usually still asleep). Sometimes he falls asleep again, sometimes not. Sometimes we resort to Elmo's World.

Get Dressed, Teethbrushing with Maggie, head downstairs to see Lucy
JM loves to brush his teeth. I will catch him a few times a day trying to do so in the kids' bathroom.

Breakfast, the first
JM usually has a vanilla yogurt, 1 scrambled egg, a banana and milk; Maggie sticks with cereal and fruit

Here comes the bus
We then walk with Maggie down the street to the bus stop. This happens after I convince JM to bypass his tricycle in the garage and jump into the stroller.

A short walk
After we see Maggie off and wave bye bye, we do a short loop around the neighborhood, during which time JM points out flowers, trees (a new word) and airplanes. Luckily the weather has been clear and we live near a small airport, so there have been lots of sightings.

Finally, bike time
It's now about 9 am and JM rejoices as pull into the driveway and he can hope on his bike,  blow bubbles, play with the stomp rocket (thanks Aunt Michelle!) or attempt Maggie's old skateboard.

Out and about
If we're going to leave the house, we have to do so now. If not, we'll have nap issues if he sleeps in the car. We've had a playdate with our friend Adam, gone to the park, library, grocery store, Target and Pete's Produce and other fun mornings. If we're out of the house or at home, JM is surely having a snack, or Breakfast the 2nd.

Back home, then, yes, eating again
With any luck, JM hasn't fallen asleep in the car. We then play for a few minutes and then he'll have lunch. He does like to eat! Tuna, PBJ, or leftovers usually do the trick.

Naptime!
It's an early nap here. Around noon we head upstairs. Last week Maggie didn't have school one day, so I let the kids play downstairs while I cleaned up the lunch dishes. JM fell asleep in our kids' egg-shaped chair. It was 12:15.

When it's just the two of us, we head upstairs and I try to convince JM that napping is a good thing. After a few minutes he usually complies. If, at this point I haven't fallen asleep (this has been known to happen) I'll sneak out and attempt to do a few chores. Or watch something on the DVR (which also has been known to happen)

Let's play, MORE! Oh wait, I need a snack first.
After nap JM usually starts looking around the house for his sister and yells "Maggie" everywhere. I try to explain that Maggie is still at school. Lucy is his backup, and he is usually happy to hug her, pull on her ears, etc. Then he walks over to his high chair and asks for yet more food. Tonight he climbed into his highchair himself. I have to keep an eye on him all the time.

More play, if we're lucky, outside. Then we head back to the bus stop for Maggie. They are always very excited to see each other.

4 p.m. - Dad will be home soon!
And thank God for that. The kids play, and usually have (yes, I know) a snack when Maggie gets home. I try to give something healthy I promise!

Keith comes home between 4 and 4:30 p.m. these days. I think I'm the happiest to see him of all!

Well this is probably more than you wanted to know! JM is learning new words each day and is very energetic. We're working on the typical toddler stuff ("please", songs, not throwing food off the high chair, tantrums, etc.) and it's great.

I'll try to post more soon!