Let's hope this is a phase...

Such a typical Izey face, excitedly telling us a story

also a typical look--my sister says he always looks worried

Whenever our darling Spike is being particularly difficult, I have to remind myself, as I often have throughout my 2.75 years of motherhood, that "this too shall pass." Isaac will have days or weeks of easy-going, eager-to-please, funny and sweet behavior followed by momma-wants-to-pull-her-hair-out days or weeks. Lately, we're in the latter phase.

Sometimes we realize that Isaac has been edging toward ...uncooperativeness... and that we just need to lay the smack down to get him back in line. We've been cracking the whip this week. He's gone from usually having no time-outs to having several per day. It's both because his behavior has been worse and because we're trying to get it under control.

Lately the thing that's really driving us nuts is his behavior at the table. He's constantly spilling or making a mess because he's daaaaaaawdling or goofing around. And he sits there playing with and not eating his food until we get pissed and start threatening to take it away. It seems every dinner ends with a time out and/or an irritated parent. He used to get a sucker after pretty much every dinner because he ate all his food, with his fork, while chatting pleasantly with his family. Now he won't even stay in his seat. Just writing about it makes my blood boil. Grrrrrr!

I also feel like he's just not focused lately. I can think of only a handful of times this week where he sat still and did something productive--played a game, colored a picture, put together a puzzle. There's been a lot of "doing nothing" going on. Even my efforts to engage him have been rebuffed. It feels like about the only thing he will do lately is role play with his stuffed animals and Little People. And I'm sick of making the Baby Lamby hide so that the Rock Monster doesn't eat him!

I tried to set up some play dates for this kid this week to get him out of my hair. I figure he needs a little playmate other than his burnt out mom. He is going to see Eva the next two days, but the other boys I tried to get him together with are either busy or sick.

I guess this post is just a bit of a vent session. I, of course, love this kid to pieces. I look at these pictures and I can almost feel his soft earlobes and fleshy cheeks. He's so cute it almost breaks my heart! But lately, cute as he is, I find myself reeeeeally looking forward to bed time!