Friday, October 10, 2008

What A Difference A Day Makes

How can kids be so good one day and the most stubborn, screaming twerps (and I say that with the utmost love) the next? Holy cow! Yesterday was horrible. And today has been wonderful. I don't get it.

Night Before Last: They woke me up 6, yes 6, times. Bo was up 3 times and Sam 3 but never at the same time. Seriously? Why do I even bother going to bed sometimes.
Last Night: Bo up once, Sam up twice. Not bad. I can handle that.

Yesterday: Bo didn't want to leave the house. He didn't want to get dressed and especially did not want to wear a coat. I had to pull him away from the TV screaming to go run errands. Today: Bo woke up asking for a sandwich (weird, but OK), gladly got dressed and was out the door before I was.

Yesterday: I was "That Mom" in Fred Meyer and I know you all know who I'm talking about. The one with the screaming, uncontrollable toddler that everyone stares at.

While returning some rugs I bought, Bo was trying desperately to pull the grocery cart away from me and towards the toys but when it wouldn't budge (because I had a death grip on it), he lost it. He started screaming and screaming and then began shoving the cart back in to me. And he's strong. Horrible I tell you. Horr-i-ble!

Then I made the mistake of going to the truck aisle and letting him pick one out off the clearance (50% off) table. I figured it would keep him happy long enough for me to get a little shopping done, which it did until I went to check-out and the damn thing wasn't on sale. It was $27.99! I was not about to spend $28 on a truck on a random Thursday. No sir. Oh and let me tell you, that was so not a good thing. The screaming returned and even louder this time. I asked him if he wanted to go to the bakery to get a free cookie before we left but in between the wild hysteria, he said no.

After walking all the way across the store to the other exit and trying to get his coat back on him before going outside, the hysteria turned to sheer "Nanny 911" drama. He now wanted a cookie. Damn it. I should have just gotten him one when I was over there in the first place, but I was not about to walk all the way back across the store to get him one now. He lost his chance and I had lost my patience.

The coat ordeal then became a wrestling match. Bo was in the main part of the cart (Sam was in his car seat up top) flailing and screaming, "No, Mommy No. No Coat. Coooookkiieeee. NOOOOOOOOOOOO", and I was leaning over him fighting to get the thing zipped. It sucked but I finally did it and carted him out to the car screaming about wanting a cookie the entire way with snot running down his face, but wearing a coat.

The screaming continued all the way to Wes' office where I was sure he would stop because we were going to see Dadddy and take him to lunch. (Bo always likes going to the office because he usually gets chocolate) But oh no, not today. I texted Wes and told him we were in the parking lot but not coming in because Bo was throwing a fit. I let him out of his car seat and he proceeded to lay on the backseat floorboard kicking and screaming for 10 minutes while I ignored him and nursed Sam in the front seat.

Today: We went to Fred Meyer again but with absolutely no drama, tears, or battles. Bo & Sam were wonderful. I was even able to pick up pizzas from Pappa Murphy's for tomorrows football party, and pick up the dry cleaning. We had a great time. But I cheated. As soon as we got in the door, we went directly over to the over-priced truck from yesterday and stuck it in the cart. I was willing to buy it today if it meant I could get everything done for Randi's surprise birthday party tonight.

Yesterday: All Bo wanted to do was watch TV or beg me to play with him. He was bratty and not very nice.
Today: The TV has not been on and Bo has been playing by himself or with Sam. He's been ultra polite and sweet.

Yesterday: Neither kid napped.
Today: Both napped on schedule and willingly. Bo took his new truck to bed and has it tucked under the covers with him. He's been down for 2.5 hours and is still sleeping.

Yesterday: Despite the mad-toddler chaos, I did manage to get something good done. Check it out. I found some really cool tubs at Fred Meyer (oh yeah, that was another thing Bo did not want to do yesterday, go to the Rubbermaid section and by golly he let everyone know it). They have handles and are perfect for toys. I labeled them with pictures of what should go in each one and stuck them on Bo's shelf. I love them and want more.



Today: I have been shoving things in closets to"clean-up" for the party tonight.

Yesterday: Bo wanted an ice cream sandwich for dinner which he drug out of the freezer by himself but when I told him "no" and took it away from him, the screaming returned. I told him he could have it after he ate dinner but he didn't want dinner, just the ice scream. Now I was not only dealing with a strong-willed-devilish child, but a strong-willed-sleep-deprived-devilish child and that is a million times worse. Somebody shoot me already. Aahhhh.
Today: Not sure about dinner yet. It's still too early but hopefully Bo will be pleasant and cooperative like he's been the rest of the day.

NOTE - Bo just woke up and came out of his room carrying his new truck and in a great mood. Thank goodness for over priced music playing, light blinking, self-propelled tow trucks and new days!

3 comments:

Smitty 1, 2 , 3 and 4 said...

Glad today went better than yesterday. ugh. I was exhausted just readong about it. Not looking forward to Wilosn having those tantrums. He is just starting to protest when we have to leave Mary's sometimes. This Friday she had trucks out and he wanted to stay, and I wanted to hurry up. so, I didn;t give him any warnings. Need-less-to-say, I will remember that next time cause we had to sit there for about 10 minutes before he calmed down. Whah, whah, whah.
As soon as he calmed down we left, I gave him a snack, and he was the happiest kid ever. Night and day.

Miss you four.

Angie said...

I really hate those days. I'm glad that it didn't continue to multiple days. Sleep makes all the difference. Rarely can I get Ashlyn to nap any more, but when she does, she is a totally different child in the evening.

Katie said...

Oh no. I feel for you. I have been "THAT MOM" before too (though on an airplane) and it SUCKED.

I love the labeling the toy box idea. Very organized!