I know I said it last Friday, but the past few weeks were ROUGH. I don’t mean slightly irritating from time-to-time. I mean spontaneous tantrums from sun-up to sun-down with very little help from Brian since he had an unusually difficult work schedule. Rough, I tell you. Like, single parent rough.
(I want to go ahead and give a big shout-out to all the single parents out there. How do you do it? HOW?)
I was a “solo parent” for two weeks, and I’m halfway to crazy right now. Well, I guess I was already halfway there, so…
I’ve reached my final destination.
Although the tantrums and timeouts have been abundant this week, I am so thankful that Brian has been available more often to help me when my eyes glaze over and I’m ready to dunk my head in the toilet. Because…I don’t know why.
Because screaming toddlers will make that sound refreshing, that’s why!
Despite the desire to give myself a swirly, I managed to capture some pretty fun moments these past few weeks, and I’d love to share them with you.
Because my mom just had surgery and is too out of it to care.
(Hi mom! I’d love to have you comment while you’re on pain meds. Wait…I changed my mind. No one needs to hear medicated Precious stories.)
Speaking of precious…
How sweet are these two?
Of course, they were hatching a plan on how to capture and torture an innocent squirrel. Kid you not.
See?
Then there was the day we lost water for 8 hours due to a damaged water main or something uninteresting like that. The kids didn’t seem to mind…
…because we all got to watch the “uhstruction” (according to JJ).
It’s been unbelievably hot and humid in Kansas these past few weeks, so I know that much of the frustration (with all of us) is that we’ve run out of fun things to do inside. I mean, there is only so much upside-down reading I can do before I start to lose consciousness.
So, we took JJ’s sand table, dumped the sand, and turned it into a water table instead.
This table has been the best kid-related purchase we made all year.
And, when the table gets boring (for us), we like to take out the hose and taunt them with it.
“Hmm…the hose doesn’t seem to be working, children. Come a little bit closer…”
This is parenthood, y’all. These are the times I don’t want to take for granted or ever forget. This is why I blog about them. So I won’t forget.
Because I do.
Sure, there are plenty of challenging moments.
Rough days.
Exhausting weeks.
Those are easily (and gladly) forgotten.
But they’re sprinkled throughout with those precious, sparkling moments that make it all worthwhile.
A smile here.
A hug there.
An unexpected moment of tenderness and sharing you never knew was possible between two obstinate toddlers.
In the midst of all the chaos and hotdogs, I do my best to record these moments with my babies so that I can remember what it feels like to hold their tiny hands. To have JJ stroke my hair and say, “I wove you mommy.” To hold Averi as she wraps herself around my neck and pats me on the back. Just before she smacks me in the nose.
On purpose.
These days, I’m like a full sponge desperately trying to soak up all the memories I can before age and senility squeeze them all out of me.
Alright, I’d better quit all the sappy, wet sponge talk and go take Averi another bottle of milk before she makes herself throw up.
Wait, what’s that you hear?
Oh, that’s just JJ screaming, “Mooooooooom! I’m pooooooooooopy!”
Potty training is another post altogether.
Another series, perhaps.
Absolutely adorable! Great pics too!
@Darcy Perdu Thanks so much, Darcy! I do love it when you comment. Because your avatar makes me happy. She’s like Carmen Sandiego and Lois Lane all rolled into one!
Amazing pictures, especially love the last one. Just out of curiosity, how far apart are your kids?
@Rachel Well, depending on which photo you’re referring to, I’d say 2 inches. Maybe 3? Kidding. I knew what you meant. They’re almost exactly 18 months apart. Please send diapers. 😉 Again, kidding. Can’t help myself. Thanks for reading, Rachel!
Haha awesome! I only ask because my kids are going to be about 23 months apart when this one gets here, and whenever we tell people that they aways make a face and say “why would you do that to yourself?” I feel like it’s a good age difference, and you give me hope that having 2 little ones is possible! (Even if not easy!)
Your kids can grow up and read this and remember what a great mom you are.
Cuz you are.
🙂 Made me smile.
Unable to open the link. 🙁
Hmmm…anyone else having trouble? It seems to be running pretty slowly for me right now too. Have you tried a different browser? Oh my goodness, Katie Robertson Walker, I’m not cut out to be an IT person. 🙂
I have to try and remember the sweet moments. Let me tell ya right now I’m just not seeing them. My 3.5 y.o.has driven me to the edge! Who am I kidding she is trying to push me over. Thank you for keeping me sane
I love the pictures! You are fantastic!
Being a divorced, single mom is VERY hard… But it’s better than us living in an abusive home. I guess I always know how much worse things can be and that helps get through the rough days. And knowing I am not alone – I’m not the only person who has gone through the things I have endured and there are others who have had it worse than me. Remembering that grounds me. I also have an amazing church family with a great mentoring program. 🙂
Keep up the good work! JJ and Averi are very blessed to have you as their mom. God will never give you more than you can handle!