Say PLEASE Dang it!!

HELP!! Janea is going through a new phase where she won't talk. She will only grunt, whine and point at the things she wants and having screaming fits when she doesn't get it. I need advice on getting her back on track to asking for what she wants (besides the obvious of not giving in--I got that one down). Also, please recommend any children's books on the topic of saying please and thank you that you think are good. Thank you!!

 In complete contrast, Daniel is really starting to imitate syllables. I think he will start talking in a few months. He has two or three consistent sounds like Pop--popcorn, Pop-pop-Papa, and an occasional Ma or Mam-mam-mam-mam which I think is Mama, but I'm not arrogant enough to say for certain.

 Speaking of speaking, Jayden has gotten a very fresh mouth! He feels that he has the right to talk back at me at every turn when he doesn't get what he wants or when we ask him to do something or if he's hungry and feeling grouchy...actually, I don't know if there is any particular pattern to his mouthing off. It seems to be instantaneous when he turns it on and then you can see it simmer and flow out of him. Oh, sigh!

 Eliana is my angel. No complaints or issues about her today. Tomorrow may be another story. She has a dentist appointment. I hate those! :(

Bikes!!

Jayden has finally decided to ride a bike! We've given him tons of opportunity! He got his first trike at a WAY too young age from his grandma, but he loved it. He got his first real bike from us at age 3 with the cute little training wheels and everything--the whole she-bang! He loved it. At age 6 he was too big for this tiny little bike. We got him a new bike and went out and got special  training wheels to fit it so he could gain his confidence. He wouldn't have it. He just didn't want to try. Last summer, we bought Jayden a NEW bike thinking it would encourage him to want to ride. Nothing doing! He still didn't want to.

Well, this weekend was the magic weekend! He FINALLY did it! He got on his bike and rode and rode and rode all weekend long! YEE-HAW! One down, three to go! :O

WHAT?

I'm not keeping up! For shame! I try though. I think about blogging at 2 AM when Daniel is up nursing AGAIN and I'm awake because of it. Unfortunately, I don't have a keyboard in my brain or in my bed so blogging at that time of the night isn't working. You'd be so amazed with the posts I've put up in my head at that time, though. They were truly amazing works of art! :D

Today, I got inspired by a Play At Home Mom blog. I found this amazing, high-energy mom-blog through Pinterest--another new find of mine lately. These Play At Home Moms are full of great ideas on how to keep little ones busy and learning and confident and self-sufficient. I highly recommend them for ideas but not self-esteem. Reading their site made me feel like a terrible mommy. I don't do nearly as much for my children and have no where near the energy level it takes to make my household run as smoothly.

http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/2012/01/rls-routine.html

Check out this routine! Although, I do have to say, I have husband support. I would absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE having someone come once a month to scrub us down. Even if it was just the bathrooms, kitchen and the hard floors, it would be a huge help!

But, oh well...this is MY life. Our routine is not a easy to define as the Play At Home Mom. We laze out of bed at 8ish. The older kids can get their own breakfast. I fix a bowl of something for Daniel and Janea depending on what we have and what they want. Gotta make lunches, comb hair, brush teeth, and rush out the door by 8:50 to get Jayden and Eliana to school by 9. When the weather is nice (and my foot is not hurting too much) I like to walk. It means leaving by 8:30 though, and we haven't done that for a long time.

Once I get home from dropping the older kids off, we have playdates on some days and go to the gym on other days. Either way, there is a mad rush to get dressed and get in the car so we can go somewhere. I think socializing the kids is extremely important for their growth. Therefore, we will not just sit at home and recluse behind our own walls.

For support in keeping our naptimes the same, I try to get home by lunchtime, fix something to eat for us all and get Daniel into bed for his nap between 12 and 1. This will give him the necessary time to sleep an hour or two depending on his need every day except Tuesday--early pick up day. Speaking of pick ups, school is out at 3:15. On Mondays, now, that means piano lessons right after school, Tuesdays is Gymnastics, and twice a month, Thursdays is scouts. Every Friday is religious school, dinner, and services. Whew!

Yeah, it's not an easy life, but we're happy. :D