Challenges

Today was one of those days where too early in the morning I was already praying to every higher power available for patience as that was what I was going to need today.  In copious amounts.  I have no idea what's going on, but what I do know is that the past few days have really driven the point home that I am I really do need my mom's weekend out next week.  No, let me rephrase that: I need it and I deserve it.

Last night Ryder woke up again.  Did not go back to sleep, until he downed his milk in ways that would make you think he was suffering from malnourishment.  Tonight I am reducing the amount by 1/2 oz., so we'll gradually dwindle that down.  I was going to take the boys to the play ground this morning.  It seemed like a great morning outing: the weather was perfect, we were going to an old-time favorite park with a great playground, meeting up with some of my favorite mommy-friends.  Couldn't get any better than that right?

Wrong!

When it was time to get dressed, Kai decided that he didn't want to.  (Get dressed).  Every shirt option was met with a "NO!", every shoe option was met with a "NO!", until...the genius idea came to mommy to tell him that his 'girlfriend' and her Mom were going to be at the playground.  Problem solved.  The kid was dressed, had shoes on and got his teeth brushed in record time.

Fast forward to the playground: my little social butterfly of a son has disappeared and has changed into a shy little boy who only wants to sit on my arm, face covered in my neck holding on for dear life.  What happened to the little boy who would enter a room and be the life of the party?  Quite honestly it worries me as this is a complete 180, but I assume that it is age and development related and that also this will fade and eventually pass.  Nevertheless, the Mama-Bear in me cannot help being concerned.

At the playground Kai did not want to climb, he did not want to go down the slide, he did not want to run around.  All he wanted was to be on my arm or hold my hand and pull me everywhere where he wanted to go: away from the people.  Being on my arm was challenging as I was wearing Ryder in the carrier on my chest, and oh, what I would have given for a few minutes of independent play (on his part).

Again, I assume it's something 'normal' for boys this age, but that doesn't take away from the fact that this is a definite question that is going to be asked at my pediatrician's visit on Friday (even though that is Ryder's visit and not Kai's).

Ryder skipped his morning nap as a result of our outing, so I was looking forward to a solid nap on both boys' parts this afternoon.  Oh, how I was in for disappointment.  After 1-1/2 hour of napping, Ryder woke up and was up for the rest of the day.  The kid went all day with an interrupted night's sleep and a 1-1/2 hour nap in the afternoon!!!  Really, is that even possible?

I guess the whole sleep regression is getting back at me.  We never really had that many problems with Kai, so I guess karma is making it up to me through Ryder.  At this point, all I care about is: will it get better and how the heck do I get through this?

The interrupted nights, the lack of naps, the picky eating, the fussiness, the defiance, the acting out and all-the-other-things-that-I-am-too-tired-to-think-of-at-the-moment are making me look even more forward to our mom's weekend out next week.  Picture this: 10 moms, Santa Barbara, Bed & Breakfast, beach, cocktails, wine, cheese, good food and fun games....yeah, that's right...9 more days...

I had a dream last night: it included a beach, a towel and me.  It was perfect.  9 more days is all I can say at this moment.  9 more days...