As anyone who has kids know, some days are longer than others - well, yesterday was definitely LONG. It started out a bit earlier than usual - 7ish (note: both Josh and Audrey sleep till 8:30 or so usually). I have been extra tired these days as well. Audrey has been waking up 2-3 times a night for about a month now - I think she's working on cutting some teeth. And, Terry and I have gotten addicted to the "LOST" series and have been staying up way to late these days. Every night, midnight comes around and we are starting another episode because we are dying to see what happens next. Well, I was counting on my afternoon nap yesterday and well, it never happened - READ ON.
After breakfast, we went to Oxbow zoo to visit and feed the animals. We were having fun until Audrey started to fuss - well then it was a chain reaction and Josh started to fuss. The worst part is that I left my baby carrier at a party this past weekend, so my hands were tied with just Audrey. Josh was getting more ticked by the moment. His "listening ears" were definitely turned off and he miserably chanted "deuce (juice) cup" and "(s)nacks". Well, I forgot the diaper bag in the car so I trekked back to the car holding two tired and hungry kiddos.
Then I had a brilliant idea (at least I thought) - a Picnic lunch! Everyone (particularly Josh) thought that was a great idea. Well, a picnic can get really messy, and of course today it did. Between, Gogurt and breast-milk all down my shirt, I think I won the messy award. After our tummies were full, we decided to pack up and head home. Unfornuately, by that time, everyone was over-tired - so the big question remained "was the ride home was going to be really quiet or really loud?" Today it was of course - REALLY LOUD! But, after all the tired tears, Josh still was able to muster up a "cuppa minutes outside, mama?" once we approached our driveway. I, tired and cranky, replied "cuppa minutes in bed Joshua." Thank goodness, when we got home, Terry was on his lunch-break. I was feeling much better about things with another set of hands. The craziness subsided for a little while, but then all hell broke loose again. Joshua and Audrey decided to go on a NAP-STRIKE! So, the over-tired and cranky saga continued the rest of the day. Lots of tears and tantrums - It was UGLY to say the least!!
PARENTS: The lesson of this story is "Hungry or tired kiddos equals disaster. So, when out and about with two toddlers, as soon as one starts to fuss - pack up and retreat right away! You'll regret it if you don't."
At the end of each day though, regardless of how it goes, I still love my children and my husband dearly and am so thankful they came into my life. You guys are my world!