Hump Day

I have the contents of Eddie's and Josie's dresser in the wash, plus some of ours to fold and put away, a stack of dishes, and a long 'to do' list, including a thank you to Aunt Sharon who not only brought dinner, but held a screaming Josie. AND, I need to go to bed. But above all, I need to decompress and look at cute pictures of my kids.



Book-ended by a 45 minute nap that Josie took at 8ish this morning and a 4:15 nap she took for about 45 min. to an hour, I had a pretty crappy day. That said, most days are usually pretty darn good, with only the ocassional flare up.



Den and I have been able to talk each morning and evening, so that's been nice, but they've been brief, so lots is coverd here. I know he is working really hard so that I too can make a trip to Japan someday.



If you don't count the several times Josie woke up last night before I finally gave in and just co-slept, the day started at 5:30 when Eddie woke up. I did get him to read books in his crib till about 6:15. Josie woke up not much after, although she usually sleeps in well past 7.



While I was changing Josie's morning diaper, Ed decided he wanted some ice cream. From my room, where I was changing her, I could hear him open our bottom-mount freezer (liking it less and less each day). It sounded like he was trying to get something open. Then I hear the silverware drawer open and something being removed (he can stand on a stool and just barely peer in). All the while, I'm up to my elbows in baby and yelling to him that he needs to close the freezer and that he better not be getting the ice cream out.



When I finally emerge, I couldn't help but laugh. There stood Eddie, with the freezer door wide open and the lid off the ice cream. He has his little hand in the ice cream and yanks his spoon out. He then puts his spoon on the counter, saying "I don't need this anymore". This is at about 6:45am.



Something snapped in Ed and he just began pushing every last button I have to push and some I didn't know I had. He was throwing things down the stairs, throwing utensils, all the while gauging my reaction. Mind you, I'm battling the same cold both kids are (which isn't that bad as colds go), but I'm feeling pretty short on patience to begin with. I feel bad, but I guess I can't be the parent I want to be 100% of the time any more than Eddie can be the angel I want him to be 100% of the time. But he does come pretty close.



We walked Eddie to preschool today and Josie fell asleep on the way home in the morning and the way there in the afternoon for only brief periods. She then fell asleep on the one errand I tried to run with her. I decided to head home and see if I couldn't get a nap myself only to have her not only wake up as soon as I open the car door, but to be cranky ALL DAY. Short of holding her, there was nothing I could do. She did manage the adorable smiles below. The shot of Eddie is during her afternoon nap.





Eddie is in his second week and third day of preschool (goes twice/week). Today he said he didn't want to go, although he went without much protest. Then when I picked him up, I got a hug like he hadn't seen me in days and he asked to go home. When we got home he said he didn't want to go to preschool again. Now I know it will take him a little while to adjust and I'm willing to allow that to happen, but yikes.



Last year I contemplated taking him out, but he really was learning things. This year, I'm not as convinced. I know at this age it's all for socialization, but if he's not having fun, there is no point--I could (far cheaper I might add) take him to classes on Tuesdays and have Fridays wide open. Granted this would be a lot more 'together' time, but when he comes home with the art project below, I have to wonder how much fun he's having if he is supposed to be 'learning' something that he's known almost as long as he could talk--his colors. Wonder if he's bored.



About the only thing he's done so far is bring home his 2nd cold in a month's time. I will give it time to sink in, but it's not like he HAS to go and I do kind of hate that there are things we could be doing, but he is in school when they happen.



This afternoon, after school, Eddie decided that the water toy he has (it's a pool type thing with a pump and a dam--all the neighborhood kids love it---http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1426 )

would be good to step into--with sneakers, socks and long pants on. When I took off his shoes and rolled up his pants, he decided his shoes hadn't gotten wet enough the first time and put them in for a dunk again. After throwing toys up in the air nearly hitting the kids who'd come to play, giving Josie's toys a dunk and generally exceeding my patience, I made him go inside. In my rush, I didn't get all his balls put away and we are now missing one of his preferred blue balls...egads!



Once inside, Aunt Sharon came over with dinner made up and the necessary patience to help me deal with 2 kids. During her visit, Josie spit up what both Sharon and I had just fed her. I changed her outfit. Then not 30 minutes later, she has a blow out diaper, smiling all the while I wiggle her legs back and forth and up and down, until the poop comes out on me. Another round of clothes for all.



Then, as Eddie is brushing his teeth, he sticks his tooth brush down the already fascinating sink drain. He didn't lose it, but I was grossed out enough I threw out the toothbrush and he was somewhat upset. Now, at 10pm, I've been up to put Josie back to sleep two times. The second time I peered in at Eddie to remind myself that not only will I not have to put her to sleep when she goes to college, but in all too short of a time, she will want and need me less and less.



Now to the title of the post--sometime today we reached the 1/2way point of Den's trip. I've only got 3 more bedtimes to go and 4 full days. Today was the day I knew would be most difficult--granted I wasn't expecting it to be quite like this, but it does remind me of why I work--so that when Den travels I can get a break. Well, and I like my job too.



I feel much better. How was your day?