Task 1: Get up and Get Out
While it would be nice to get up before the boys and take a shower, every second of sleep counts these days so there is no getting up before anyone. So after getting everybody up and fed, I realized if we were going to make our errands there would be no shower for me. So I busied myself with getting together three packages for the post office. This process had begun a week previous and yet it still took about an hour to write cards for two of the packages, find envelopes and look for a box, etc. I was working on the desk in our room, that needs to be childproofed due to the hazardous crafting tools around it. Joshua was very interested in being part of the process and finding the items most likely to inflict pain. After taking away two pairs of scissors and a paper cutter and putting them out of reach, he was set up with stickers and paper to do something creative. I then left the room for 45 seconds to find a sharpie only to return to find him on top of the desk dancing and singing. He was then moved to the living room and set up with some toys. I was able to get two packages fully ready to go but would have to get a box for the third. Then started the process of actually getting out the door-getting everyone's diaper changed, dressed, shoes on, hair combed, etc. This is a task that has started taking up to an hour. Joshua is currently in a refusing-to-have-my-diaper- changed-by-mommy phase. So, he has to sit in his room by himself until he lets me change it. Which has worked up until this day when he decided to pull all the books off his bookcase and climb on top of it. After helping him get everything picked up, and him changed, we started on the last phase of getting out the door. After getting my shoes on, I entered the living room to find that Joshua had figured out how to unzip the couch pillows and take the stuffing out. Fortunately he had only been left alone long enough to empty one.
Task 2: Target
The fun begins as soon as we get out of the car and I start loading Joshua into a cart. He starts screaming "that one" and pointing to another cart. Which would be somewhat understandable if the other cart was a car, or a bench seat cart or something different, but it was the exact same cart as what we were in. He starts with a tantrum, but I refused to give in. ..Until we got in the store and he was still screaming. Once settled into a new cart (this one had a bench he could sit on so it was different-that's my rationalization for giving in) Throughout the store, every time my sweet boy found something he wanted, he screamed "Mine!" Lovely. Fortunately we ran into one of his best friends, so he was nice for the three minutes we talked with her and her mom. Joshua continued his behavior through the entire store until he was told it was lunch time and we would be getting a hot dog. He actually simmered down for a little while and did pretty well at lunch.
Task 3: Post office
I loaded the boys into the double stroller and decided to just take my wallet and package stuff in. After getting in and finding a box for the one package, I realized I had not brought in the card I just bought at Target for it. I decided to mail it separately. I sealed up the box and then realized I didn't have the address. No problem, a quick call to Dad could solve that. If only my cellphone wasn't in the car. So out we all go back to the car to get the phone. Now, I love our new double stroller except when it comes to going through doors-my skills for this task are improving but it's still a challenge. I got the address, and got in line. Once we get up to the counter, Joshua decided it was a good time to start stipping off his brother's socks and clapping his feet together. Several people in line chuckled and the postal worker says, "Aww, how cute." Yes, it's adorable, especially after being told 25 times already that day not to bug his brother while he's sleeping.
Task 4: Get Home
One thing I love about getting lunch out it that when we return from errands it's nap time! Joshua got settled in without much fuss and I unloaded the car. This is when I realized that I had visibly leaked some milk (not the gallon I bought at Target) and my fridge pack of Pepsi was still in the bottom of my cart. But as my friend Jennifer so wisely reminded me, at least I didn't get home and realize I had forgotten one of the kids!
Task 5: Make it through the rest of the day
After nap and snack time Joshua "helped" me sweep and clean the kitchen. He was working hard with the broom when he suddenly dropped it and ran off. I went about my cleaning for another minute when it hit me that I hadn't shut Tobin's door. After quickly making my way into his room I found Joshua jumping inside Tobin's crib, a mere three inches from his head. He was giggling with glee as he bounced his baby brother up and down. Fortunately little Toby was still breathing and amazingly hadn't even flinched. He's going to be one tough kid.
These days I pace in front of the door for Kurt's arrival home. It's been a long week as he has needed to work a lot of overtime to meet a deadline. Fortunately Tobin is doing great at night so we are getting the most sleep hoped for with a 1 month old. Joshua's behavior has continued all week. It's probably part of the adjustment of having a new member of the family and less attention. Even though he's really putting us to the test, at the end of the day he can still make us laugh, and for that we are thankful.
3 comments:
Oh my! Here is my advice about taking kids to the post office...wait until daddy gets home and use the after hours automated service! Joshua will get better---at least he is very cute!
Oh my...is it because there are two of them that these once simple tasks become more challenging? Just trying to figure out what I'm in for here soon.
I remember those days well - it does get better and you can at least be thankful that you have a kiddo full of spunk and that he is not a bump on a log! Hugs to you.
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