Transitions

Parents of children of all ages know that the parenting sh*t really hits the fan during times of transition--when Mommy goes back to work, or new teeth come in, or morning naps are no longer necessary, or school starts, or puberty hits, or vacation ends....basically any change in a kid's little life can really get his undies in a bunch.

My guys are each going through "a time." Anders is getting four teeth and they are taking their sweet, painful time about it. And he's sometimes refusing to take his morning nap. Isaac is also sometimes refusing to nap at all and he spent last week at his Granini and Grandpa Dave's house--i.e. he had the full attention of two adults who have a pool and awesome toys and who hang on his every word; and then he had to come back to a house with, you know, rules, where he has to share with a baby brother who also gets praise and attention (heaven forbid).

So, basically, somebody shoot me.

Yesterday there were several occasions when I had two boys at my feet, arms up-stretched, faces red and streaming with tears, voices strained with "Mooooommmmaaaaa! Hooooold me!"

Still in his jammies at 4:30pm
Spike: 1, Momma: 0

I lost two battles of getting Isaac out of his pajamas; he was still in them when Zach got home from work. Apparently I got his popsicle out of the freezer the wrong way, so we had to put it back and do it over. And when I offered him the choice of playing with the water table or riding his scooter or going to the play lot he cried, "I don't want to do any of that fun stuff!" Oh, I'm sorry. I'll try to think of boring things to do next time.

A rare moment of peace while they eat their popsicles....whew....

Anders, on the other hand, cried every time I put him down most of the day, so that by the time Zach got home from work I had a back ache. And though my husband is wonderful and willing to do whatever it takes to give me a break when he gets home, my boys, in their current phases, only want me. So Zach holding Anders to save my back just means more tears and heaven forbid he would be the one to pour Isaac a cup of milk for dinner.

Thank God today is a better day so far. We invited some friends over last minute, and they were able to come. Shonah's kids are awesome--when we have some kids over, I feel like I have to watch Isaac every minute because he can be a bit...raucous. :) But the Grant family can totally handle themselves with my boys. They are sweet and kind but also stand up for themselves if need be. They can play quiet pretend games or be rambunctious too. Isaac adores them and now Anders does too.

Now both boys are napping. My hope is they will wake up happily on the other side of their transition times.