July 30th, 2008
Walking to the living room I could hear Carter talking in a hushed tone. Mike was still awake from his night shift, they were laying on the couch together. As I walked around the corner, Hudson in my arms, I was greeted with smiles and good mornings.
Mike said he stayed up a little longer so I could get some sleep. Carter woke just as he was heading to bed so he stayed with him.
I felt grateful that he understood how exhausted I am and maybe even what the past two weeks have been like since he started working nights. Trying to keep a toddler quite throughout the day is harder then turning down chocolate; and how much fun can it be for Carter to have his mother nagging all day to use his “indoor voice”? Not to mention COMPLETELY stressful for me.
Our house isn’t that large and sound carries quite easily. Vacuuming and carrying out regular daily chores is near impossible as Mike is a light sleeper. Showers are held off until later in the day. The baby is shushed and given a soother to quite the coos. The dishwasher and laundry wait until the evening and Carter is taken out to the backyard where he can run, play and speak without being hushed.
Let’s just say it hasn’t been easy.
This morning, since he was still awake, Mike agreed to take Carter to daycare (since he goes three days a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday) before heading off to bed. This gave me the opportunity to feed Hudson and relax just a little without being converted into an indoor playground, which was just about the highlight of my day.
As Mike turned off the television to get Carter upstairs to dress, the blissful morning memories were swiftly erased by screaming, crying and snot.
Carter completely lost his shit.
That’s when it became apparent he had obviously not slept well.
He screaming and protested throughout getting dressed, getting his teeth brushed, getting in the car and all the way to daycare.
He was hysterical to the point where he could no longer talk. The tears and snot were flowing while he screamed he wanted to wear pants because it was going to snow. Yes. Snow. Don’t ask because I don’t have answers. Absolutely nothing would calm this child and as awful as I felt, I had NEVER been so grateful for Mike offering to take him.
I was really not looking forward to this evening since I was alone with the two boys but thankfully he napped at daycare and was in a somewhat better mood.
Normal bedtime activities ensued, I tucked him in, said good night and closed the door.
He started whailing, almost like the morning.
I opened the door - I know, never open the door! - and asked what was wrong.
Struggling to breathe through the tears: “I forgot to give you a kiss!” he huffed.
I bent down and hugged him as he planted a snotty tear soaked kiss on my lips.
“I love you mommy!” he said as he settled back on the pillow.
My heart swelled and tears formed in my eyes as I closed the door.
Those meltdowns I can handle.
A bad night’s sleep for a kid is like a ticking time bomb! My 4 year old isn’t much better on a bad day. *sigh*
AmyD’s last blog post..Shaken Not Stirred
July 30th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
I hear ya. If my daughter doesn’t sleep, I’m pulling my hair out within a few hours.
And then she does sleep (at nap or bedtime, whatever) and she looks so sweet in her bed, and I completely forget about the day’s drama.
SciFi Dad’s last blog post..Degrading Skills
July 31st, 2008 at 7:45 am
Ugh. There is nothing worse than an overtired toddler.
Miss Britt’s last blog post..Not Fine.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:48 am
Great story!
Jeannette’s last blog post..Everything pales in comparison
July 31st, 2008 at 11:05 am
oh, we have the “i forgot to give you a kiss” thing going on at our house too. it was cute for a while…now it’s just annoying…haha
July 31st, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Oliver does the same thing to me. Now I just blow him kisses from the doorway.
mamatulip’s last blog post..The Pool Whisperer
July 31st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I don’t understand why other people’s kids stay in their beds. My kid will if she wants to, but that is unrelated to whether I want her to.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
aww. Ryan’s done that a few times…mommy!! I didn’t give you a hug!! LOL
Brenda’s last blog post..Punk rock or Rainbow Hair?
August 1st, 2008 at 8:06 am
so sweet
I know what you mean though.
BTW - if you need to get out and have someone for Carter to play with you’re always welcome here. (even though we really need to clean)
LD’s last blog post..Ahhhh … summer
August 1st, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Wow. Maddie can’t talk yet (or even walk!) but I guess I better get prepared for some major tantrums…and kisses too, I hope!
Mike from the Newborn Identity’s last blog post..3 1/2 In Dog Years…
August 1st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
They break our backs and our hearts.
Have I told you lately how AWESOME your blog looks?
Jennifer’s last blog post..You can never add too many vignettes
August 1st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
The ending was at least sweet!
I’m noticing my nephew having horrible moods when he is over-tired. Yesterday he fell twice because he was so tired but running around. Poor dear.
sizzle’s last blog post..A Gift
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:05 am