A few weeks ago, I wrote out this new schedule.  It takes into account the morning nap put back into Ella's day. I shifted some things around, but the items throughout the day are basically the same. The morning nap has helped some, but I've been having to play around with her afternoon nap. Today, I'm trying 2pm instead of 2:30, and I'll take it from there. This new routine gives us lots to do, but it's the perfect amount of "things" for these little people.  It also allows me moments throughout the day to get chores done (kitchen cleaned up while Jack has his 20-30 minutes of TV time and Ella naps, laundry started and switched over while they both nap in the afternoon, lunch started while Ella naps and Jack has learning time, etc.)   I have lots of one on one time with each of them, too, which is a bonus. Even if you're not hope every day with your kiddo, I highly recommend a routine on your off days. It has been such a blessing to let our routine wo...

Independent playtime is a staple around here. It's how I spend one-on-one time with Ella. Or how I get things accomished. Or how I just have some time to breathe.  During his playtime this afternoon, I decided to see what he was up to. I happened to catch a little bit on camera :)  This video is just a peek at Jack during his playtime.  Yes, I filmed under the door :).  A little background: this was 30+ minutes in, and he had wooden blocks, a wooden puzzle, a stuffed animal, and a few odd, small toys that were in the attached basket on the side of the playpen. I change out the toys each time; I have them pre-sorted in bins, so all I have to do is grab a bin. He's listening to Mozart, but that's not the only music he listens to during playtime. This morning he listened to Bob and Larry's Campfire Songs (LOVE that CD!). Tomorrow, he might listen to his Sesame Street CD and some praise and worship songs.  A typical Jack day looks like this. It's a schedul...

**updated with link below--3:45pm** ***updated with pictures of the kids :)--5:00pm*** 1.  I had forgotten just how NOISY a sleeping newborn is.  It's crazy listening to the amount and types of noises that come out of that little body as she rests (especially when I'm trying to sleep at night, too!). When she's awake? Not a peep, haha! 2.  The rain today! I don't know how much we've had so far, but it's rained all night and all morning steadily (and sometimes downright hard). Lots of lightning and thunder have joined the rain, which makes for a pretty drowsy day. A lot of roads are flooded/closed, and many people tried to drive through the water only to find that they couldn't. I'm very thankful The Husband had to leave as early as he did for work this morning, or he might have gotten stranded, too.  3.  Our garage is on a slab (the house is on piers), and unfortunately it's allowed a lot of water to pool in there. And, w...