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.
