January 2010: Naptime at our house.

So, the boys are trying to give up their naps. Perfectly understandable, however, not really jiving with my schedule. I need that downtime. Two children of the exact same age are exhausting and I really need that time to do housework, return calls, or try to exercise. So, I am on the treadmill. It is a new year and I have a new goal which is getting in shape. Well, that is really my goal every year but at least I keep trying. I am on the treadmill watching the Young and the Restless (love TIVO) and I think I should go and just check and make sure they are asleep. They have separate rooms so usually they go to sleep out of boredom if nothing else.

As soon as I hit the playroom – BAM the smell of poop penetrates the air. Of course, I think that Hayes has pooped, his room is closest to the playroom. Oh how I wish it had been that simple. What I saw next rendered me speechless for a period before a scream erupted from my lips. None of my children had done this ever. Hayes had taken off his diaper and pooped on the carpet. As if that is not bad enough, he has dipped his Lincoln logs in it, finger painted a book, filled a Little People car with it and smooshed it into the carpet. Gag me. I take a deep breath and still scream a little bit. Ok, first things first, get cleaning supplies. I run back up stairs, Hayes is happy a clam running around yelling he pooped on the floor. Ben wakes up and starts screaming for a kiss – “I need a kiss” over and over. I am sweating and gagging and think where is my beach vacation. I told my husband that I had raised my white flag in surrender. I could take no more that day.

Sometimes I think everyday I can take no more with the screaming, screeching, squealing, fighting, hitting, biting, stealing of toys, throwing food, and tantrums. Then, one of my boys smiles at me, tells me he loves me, or just hugs me and I know that this is my world and it is perfect. As everyone says, this too shall pass. And, I do want it to pass, just not too quickly. My Sam is already 5 ½ and will start kindergarten next fall and I think that the time has flown by. So, I take a steadying breath, sometimes a swig of wine, and think this too shall pass.