The boys are 18 weeks old already. Sweet baby Jesus and Mother of Pearl. I don't even know when it happened. They are such little adults already though! We have our day-to-day schedule down. They know what to expect. I know what to expect. We have happily fallen into a routine. If you haven't found your niche-schedule yet, I feel sorry for you... how do you live???
The outline of their daily schedule is pretty similar to what it was on my previous post of life with twins at 14 weeks except playtime is much much much more interactive and lasts a bit longer. Afternoon naps are a little shorter and, best things last, bedtime is a little earlier! Andy and I have free time to ourselves between the time that the boys go to bed and our bedtime now - and that small amount of child-free time is glorious. You will get there too, ducklings, all in good time.
Here is a sample outline of their schedule. As you know, I'm flexible - none of this is rigorously scheduled except for that our day does not start before 7 a.m. and they must be in bed by 8:30 p.m. Not negotiable. It's that whole "I love sleep more than life" thing again.
7 a.m. - Boys are awake and have started to keep themselves busy in their cribs or swings. I often hear them chattering before I even get out of bed. The morning does not usually start with crying as it previously had.
8 a.m. - First bottle of the day and continued play time. Usually in their jungle tunnel while I wake up, have some iced coffee, prepare to start the day.
8:30 a.m. - Nap time in their swings. This is my largest chunk of the day to get stuff done. Shower, blog, clean, food prep.
10:30 a.m. - Boys are usually awake by this point and having playtime again. 2nd bottle whenever they start to get fussy.
Noon - 2nd nap in their swings. Usually a shorter nap for one of the boys (they like to alternate) and a normal nap for the other.
1:15 -1:30 p.m. - First baby wakes up and gets to come downstairs and play in the high chair and have a meal of solid foods. They are just practicing eating so I don't expect them to obtain many calories from this - just new textures, flavors and most importantly, the routine of having a lunch. 2nd baby is usually awake shortly after this.
2 p.m. - 3rd bottle of the day and playtime downstairs with different toys.
3:30 p.m. - Short nap in swings or Pack'N Play - maybe about 45 minutes or so.
5 p.m. - "Daaa" (Andy) gets home from work. 4th bottle of the day and playtime until they start to get fussy. They are usually more fussy in the evenings from about 5 -7 (the "witching hour" as I've heard it called) They may fall asleep for a short time but spend the majority of the evening awake and playing with Daaa, going for walks, etc.
7:30 p.m. - Bath time starts. They love it. Even if they have been fussy for the last 2 hours, they still get the smiles when it's bath time. I think they really like being nakey.
8 p.m. - 5th bottle of the day (this one will be a larger, six ounce bottle with cereal added) and the boys will be swaddled and in bed by 8:30.
8:30 p.m. - Our time. It's glorious, as I may have mentioned. We're working our way through Dexter right now!
Activities the boys can do at this age:
- They enjoy all of the previously listed activities PLUS
- Playing in their Exersaucer
- Practicing rolling (both directions) on the floor during playtime
- "Talking" to each other (sometimes it's more like shrieking or screaming though)
- Practicing sitting up like adult babies and pulling into a supported standing position - and lots of bouncing!
I may have even caught them attempting to crawl a few times.
They get lots of tummy time and floor playtime - I have read a blog post from an occupational therapist that they should have a minimum of 90 minutes of tummy time a day so that is what we strive for. It's definitely getting their little bodies working because once I put them down, they are almost never in the same spot when I turn around again!
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