See the curiosity on this face, as she masters using the camera phone?
Can't you just see the wheels turning in this head as she discovers how to correctly use these binoculars?
And in the blink of an eye, it all goes away. What a morning!! First fit came from Livvy. As often is the case, my big girls will spontaneously lose the ability to do anything for themselves. So, we go from huge accomplishments, like making it to the potty on time to "I can't do it" when it comes time to pull up their own panties. She dragged it on for 20 minutes, making us late for MOPS. She actually stood in the garage interior doorway, with her panties around her ankles, watching me pretend drive away before we made any headway.
Then we get to the car ride, where she cries the whole way to MOPS about wanting mommy's phone. The. Whole. Way. We get to MOPS where in the parking lot, Livvy tries to get mommy to carry her bag, same battle, different situation. We make it in, Livvy with her tear stained face and all. Everything goes fine for them in their class. Whew.
Until Mommy shows up that is. Then it's "no, I don't want to sit on the potty" and "Mommy carry the bag". Luckily, the teacher asked to put Livvy's bag on her back and she pleasantly complies. As long as it's not Mommy making the request. There is so much more of this to come in my future, I know.
Then comes another car ride. First it's "I can't climb in my seat". Then, we return to the ole "I want Mommy's phone". Finally, it's the music that is making her unhappy. She doesn't want Fresh Beat and says so every 5 seconds. Until now, Mia is the "good" one but don't mess with her music. She wants Fresh Beat and counters every objection with her request to keep Fresh Beat. Longest 7 minute car ride ever. Well, since the morning ride anyway. Add to that the attempt to call Aunt La to wish her a Happy Birthday. Instead of sweet 3 yr old voices singing to her, she gets an earful of a tantrum. Sorry, Aunt La. Somehow, Sabrina sleeps through all of this.
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| Peacefully sitting at the table. |
Finally, make it home. Livvy cries in the car a while refusing to get out. Fine. Typical. I manage to get lunch on the table while she gets it out of her system. I get Sabrina in her bed. Big girls have a successful potty break. They earn their m&m's for going in the potty. We sit at the table and actually eat lunch ... for a while. Then Mia drops an m&m. This is, of course, a traumatic event and she can't pick it up herself. Livvy jumps in and picks it up for her. This enrages Mia to the point of screaming at her sister. Mommy is reminding her to say thank you to Livvy for doing something nice for her. She yells some more, throws the m&m back on the floor, so that she can pick it up herself.
But wait, there's more. Livvy further enrages her sister, like only siblings can do, and says "Thank you. You're welcome." over and over. To which Mia yells "No thank you. No welcome!" over and over. This goes on while I finish my lunch because I have no more fight in me. Just as quick as it starts, one of them starts to sing/say "Ice, ice baby". Then, the other joins in. Next thing I know, they are sitting again, singing and eating. You just can't make this stuff up.
They are now in bed, not sleeping but not fighting. Sabrina, who slept through all that, is now awake. And this mommy is tired. I can't help but think of my husband who just doesn't understand how tired staying at home with 3 kids (not to mention while 22 weeks pregnant) makes me on a daily basis. Two nights ago, I went to bed at 7:30, right after we got the girls down. He came into the bedroom to ask me what was wrong. He seemed perplexed by my answer "I am tired".
