Recently, Annie has taken temporary leave of her sanity and has gone full blown four year old crazy. This, by far, has been the most challenging stage (I'm gonna say that a lot over the next 15 years, aren't I?) She's just so defiant and snotty and it's a shock to my mothering system to watch her treat her sister and I so rotten. Ellie, the brunt of much of Annie's moodiness, responds by being a mean little tease and pushing every last one of her buttons. Ellie is a ball of energy and personality -- when used for good, this makes for the single most adorable two year old in human history -- when used for evil, it's a force to be reckoned with. And combinet that with Annie's drama and attitude, and it's like the perfect storm of moodiness. Well, this all culminated yesterday, in a mess of tears and screaming (mostly the girls, but I wasn't immune), that landed both of the girls in their room at noon, with a strict 'you will not leave this room until you take the nap we all so need for you to take!' mandate. There was much screaming in protest ("Ellie! I didn't even know Mom could be this mean!" and "I don't even know if I love Mommy anymore!"), but I stuck to my guns (and also went for a walk outside with Isaac for awhile, just around the circle repeatedly, so that I didn't lose it with them), and almost THREE HOURS LATER they both finally crashed and slept. Ellie for a total of 45 minutes (so guess who was grumpy all evening?), and Annie for a blissful two hours or so. Which, of course, meant she was wide awake until about 10PM last night. I still haven't decided if it was worth it or not.
With the girls screaming in their room, I hid out in mine and made goofy faces and cooed and chatted with Isaac for hours. It was a really nice break, to just hang out the two of us without anyone wanting or needing anything else. Plus, a smiling baby was just what my beaten down mood needed! It was a nice break from an angry, ranting, dramatic, possibly-hormonal, four year old girl. That baby is so cute, and I could just sit there and smile and coo with him all day. Well, if I didn't have two other kids and a house to take care of . . .
Today he's 7 weeks old, and I was taking pictures of him and Ellie this morning. (Annie was downstairs watching 'Mickey Mouse Club', and we weren't gonna mess with that.) Ellie was a little cheese ball, per usual, and Isaac was fairly smiley . . .
Ellie was sporting sunglasses with her pajamas, bright and early this morning.
They're just so cute! And lovable! And today better go better than yesterday!
5 comments:
Those pictures are sure cute, even if there has been a lot of attitude all up in your house :)
I totally feel for Isaac. I remember you and Star and Star was so good at pushing YOUR buttons, so I know what it's like to be the third child :)
Well, your kids are great, even though they have bad days (years?) and you are a WONDERFUL mother so don't feel too bad. Let me know if you ever want a couple hours off (at least from your daughters. Isaac still needs you around more often than that), I'm totally willing to take your kids off your hands.
Ahh .. I hear ya!! I'm at a similar spot with my two boys. Jackson goes from being an angel to a little devil in minutes. And Wyland knows how to push his buttons. They usually Jackson gets in more trouble because he's older and "should know better". It's a vicious cycle. I hope it's a short one for you!!
I totally agree with 4 year olds is the worst age. dallin doesnt listen to me ever anymore and I also cant believe how rude he can be to people. I have no clue where it came from but it a daily battle with myself to not strangle him lol I feel for ya but then you see your sweet little boy smile and it makes it ok again :)
Please don't tell me Kaitlin is going to be worse at 4 than 3. She's so dramatic and moody right now too so I totally feel for you! Deep breaths - that's my only suggestion :)
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