Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Pump-kuh

We welcomed October with a harvest festival on Capitol Hill.
Tons of carnival-style fun.  It was so funny watching Andrew lift one of those big red sledge hammers to test his strength.  I think he maybe made the metal doo-dad rattle from its resting place once.  But he was pretty proud of himself. 
And pretty proud of his painted pump-kuh, too.
We got in a few hours with Jacob, before he had to commence working for the rest of the weekend.
Daddy time is so, so important for the little guy.  The way they play is completely different than the way Andrew and I play.  They roughhouse and wrestle and bounce balls off the ceiling and do funny walks.  We read books and stack blocks and color and match picture tiles.
{Why is it that when visions of photo ops dance in a parent's head,
suddenly it becomes a child's worst nightmare to pose for a picture?
Can someone please explain this to me???}

Lately, Jacob's been working extra hard and long (for us!  for which I am so grateful!), so there's been less raucous, toddler-exhausting Daddy time to be had. Which means more time with me. Which means I am worn OUT and Andrew is overflowing with unspent energy. There's an inverse relationship like that.
And, in that situation, his behavior is the first thing to go.  And, boy, does it ever GO.  The past two days have been pretty terrible.  We've had an upturned (like, feet straight up in the air) coffee table, an overturned dining chair, a gift from Jacob's brother chunked across the room and broken, a naptime refused, every manner of food and toys thrown, and fits pitched all the live long day.  John Fletcher's been kicked in the head and I've been hit and bitten.  It's been grim.  And it's been trying.
I've long said he must either be exercised or exorcised.  So, we're in the midst of a little home exorcism at the moment.  And it involves a good bit of exercise and a good bit of discipline.  The exercise part is fun.  The discipline part is so not.
This parenting thing can be hard sometimes.

10 comments:

Holland said...

oh my word. is there something in the air? the tantrums have started around here and it's horrible. i wish i knew what to do!

Rhonda Hennessy said...

He is sure cute to act so badly sometimes :) I think the same thing about ML about once a day! Hang in there!

I am pretty sure I saw your pretty, sweet Mama from afar on Friday morning, but I couldn't get over to say hello.

Wanting What I Have said...

Hang in there sweet friend. You are a wonderful mama and you are doing a great job! Keep the course! I am praying for God to strengthen you and to encourage your heart! Again, you are doing a GREAT JOB! Hang in there! Your diligence will pay off.

aunt Betty said...

Just remember what the little train said "I think I can, I think I can" and hope that Andrew forgets this and realizes I Love her she sure is cute and she's the BOSS!!!

aunt Betty said...

Just remember what the little train said "I think I can, I think I can" and hope that Andrew forgets this and realizes I Love her she sure is cute and she's the BOSS!!!

BettieBoyd said...

This too shall pass, darling. The picture of the two of them looks just like that Christmas 1983 picture of you crying and pointing angrily at newborn Brian Bruce!!

Kelly said...

Awww..I feel your pain. We had such a hard time from 18-22 months with Anna Reese. I think they are just too young to really understand discipline, but know how to really act out and test mama. Those fits will come to an end. I promise. We started time outs with Anna Reese right around 22 months and she has been like a different child. Hang in there. You could be in our phase right now which is.. Waking up every night at 3 am and staying awake till 5, then refusing a nap. She acts wonderful, but the lack of sleep is about to kill this prego mama.

Sara said...

I feel your pain and I only have one...I can't imagine what it will be like to. At least I know I am not alone and you aren't either! Mothering is the hardest job there is and you are doing a great job!!

Julie said...

Andrew is just normal and testing his limits- you and Jacob are terrific parents!

Sarah Rose said...

Don't grow weary! Your hard work will reap precious fruit...

I vividly remember going through this same thing with Phoebe, at about this same age. MANY days fraught with tears and frustration (for both of us)... anyway, it passed rather quickly and I found that my delightful little girl had returned. (Not that she doesn't still test those boundaries!)

It IS hard to be a Mommy, isn't it? Praying for you!