Parenting...what works for me!

I know that every mom has their own parenting style. I think it's really important to find what style works for you and your family and go from there!
I am the kinda mom that needs schedule, routine, as well as sleep and some alone time. I have found the controversial  "On Becoming Baby Wise" (by Gary Ezzo) to be a very helpful guide. For those that are not familiar with the book, it helps you to teach your baby a routine...with the goal of your baby sleeping through the night between 6 and 8 weeks old. It's an "eat-wake-sleep" cycle that teaches your baby how to fall asleep on his or her own. It really does work! Both of my kids sleep 12 hours through the night and I know it is directly related to the routine that they learned as newborns.
Zeke has just moved to a 4 hour schedule, which is wonderful because that means both of the kids are down for naps at the same time!  A little bit of alone-quiet-breather time is just amazing! So at this point, Zeke's day looks like this:

8:00 Wake up, eat, play
10:00 Nap
12:00 Wake up, eat, play
2:00 Nap
4:00 Wake up, eat, play
6:00 Catnap for about an hour
8:00 Eat and down for the night

Of course there is room for flexibility...sometimes his morning or afternoon naps are shortened due to the day's activities...but I really enjoy having a semi predictable day! I can plan activities or play dates for the happy time of day...and now that both Zeke and Elia's naps are around the same time I feel like my days have gained an hour or two!

Elia as at about 2 weeks

Zeke at 1 day old