it’s just one of those days

Yes… it’s been one of those days. And yesterday was about a zillion times worse. Lesson #498 : Bribing, playing, television, toys at mealtime, the off-limits stuff, favorite foods, or any other coercion does not work with teething boys… they will not do what their mom wants them to do… for that matter, they don’t know what they want to do… and they don’t mind hurting some feelings along the way.

Yesterday was a nightmare. I thought that Ammon would at least cheer up when Brian got home from work. Not so. He is really having a hard time with these two teeth. They can be seen now, but have yet to break the surface. We can now add double-extra drool, runny noses, coughing, fever and diarrhea to the teething-accomplices list, which previously only had throwing up on it. Heaven only knows what is taking these teeth so long to come in. I hope that something lights a fire under them soon.

Today was slightly better, but not by much. Ammon had his fair share of terrible-two-style fits, but the day wasn’t a constant meltdown like yesterday. I could get him to eat today, and actually play a bit. He explored the entire living room today – corner to corner, nook to cranny. He is having a slight problem figuring out just why he can’t get past the baby gate into the kitchen…

When Brian came home, he found me drowning in a pile of paper that I had pulled out of our filing cabinet to reorganize. He offered to take Ammon to the park when he got up from his nap so that I could finish up what I was doing. There was no way in heck that I was going to miss a trip to the park and the wonderful weather that we had today. I was feeling a little bit better today - not 100%, but better – and I was going to force myself out of the house. So, we trooped over to our little park and went for a nice walk. Ammon loves being outdoors – and he certainly enjoyed being outside today. It was probably a nice pick-me-up for the sweet little bug. Now that the weather is finally cooling off a bit, we can resume our trips to the park in the mornings. And, before we know it, Ammon will really be big enough to play on the playground. Then the fun begins…

I’m so tired. Tonight is my night to do Ammon’s laundry, but it is going undone today. I just can’t do another late night. Or I should say early morning, as I was up past 2:00 this morning doing this, that, and the other. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now with the family, the home, the church calling, the whatever – and I’m struggling to meet deadlines; get others to take some responsibility; learn to just say, “No.”; take care of my family and other priorities; find the guts to tell some folks to take a long, long hike in the opposite direction; find the energy to take that one last thing upstairs; keep from tripping over my own feet. I’m grateful for Brian, and his willingness to take full charge of Ammon in the afternoon so that I can get done what I need to get done, even if it is just getting a shower. I’m thankful that he does so much around our home. I’m grateful for friends – you know who you are – and their willingness to listen to me rant… and feel the frustration right along with me. I’m trying to get better organized, so that things don’t rot along the wayside, and get forgotten. I’m trying to work past the problems that I am facing meeting that goal, and the trials that are causing those other problems in the first place.

Deep breaths. Kind words. Lots of patience. None of which are things that I am good at. Ammon and I have had two rough days. Looks like we’ll be cutting some teeth together.