All day long, I felt like I was fighting my kids to do anything. Eat, sleep, go for two seconds without screaming at me. Tes got better as the day progressed, but Christian really worked me. For every sweet moment, he gave me ten brutally painful moments. It was a hard day to be a mom.
Of course, it doesn't help that the moment we went on vacation, both my kids got sick. They have one of those no fever, lots of snot, and bad mood all around colds. so basically, the wait it out cranky-fest. I lost my temper so many times today, I was starting to wallow in self loathing. Not a fun way to feel on vacation.
After dinner we decided to give the kids, and ourselves, a break by putting a movie on the laptop. Our beach house is off the grid, so there is no power without the generator, and we are on full techno-detox. The laptop was charged up, however, so we took advantage of it, and let the kids zone out.
About twenty minutes into the movie, Nick signaled to me, and pointed to Tessie, who was sound asleep next to her brother. I smiled. Christian was still sitting up tall, and thoroughly enjoying his movie. But as the minutes progressed he sunk further into his pillow, and his eyes got heavier. No matter how tired he appeared, he hung onto consciousness fiercely.
I finally decided to try putting the kids to bed. This would involve moving a very strung out boy, and trying to undress Tes, put her in a pull up, and them put her pajama bottoms back on. Considering the day I had, I wasn't looking forward to it. I turned off the movie, and braced myself.
Christian looked up at me with the saddest expression and said, "Is it time for bed Mama?" I nodded and picked him up. He started to protest weakly, but gave up, and by the time he was on his bed, he was asleep.
Getting Tes ready for bed was like dressing a rag doll. She flopped around, limp as could be, and never woke up. Finally, I had them both in bed, sound asleep. I stood back and stared at my two sleeping monsters. I guess that after the day they gave me, I was owed an easy bedtime. What a beautiful relief.
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