Diary of a Confused Mom: January 23rd 2016

While cleaning the bathroom today I discovered that the water had actually flooded the three little drawers beneath the counter and everything in them. I had a feeling simply drying counters and floors the first time was a little too easy.

Diary of a Confused Mom: January 20th 2016

Z flooded my bathroom yesterday. I'm talking Tom & Jerry  style with the plugged sink and the water seeping over the edges of the counters and levels rising on our bathroom floor.

Luckily, his brother discovered the situation before there was more than just a lot of drying to do.

Today he's in one of his moods and decided to forgo his nap despite my walking him in the stroller for an hour. 

It's one of those days where I'm very, very close to submitting a resignation.

Diary of a Confused mom: January 19th 2016

It's amazing how differently a school morning looks in our house compared to a vacation day morning.

Those jumping jelly beans are up at 5am on holidays, ready to take the world by storm and have done every possible activity (and completely exhausted me in the process) by 9am.

On a school day morning? Complete silence at 6am with occasional groans in response to my urgent calls to get out of bed.

Diary of a Confused Mom: January 17th 2016

I asked the boys to help change their little brother's diaper. After a lot of commotion and giggling, they got it done. All I had to do was ensure it was sealed well.

Future daughters-in-law: You're welcome :)

Diary of a Confused Mom: January 14th 2016

I've discovered why I hate the beeping on our fridge when the door is left open. It just sounds like an additional whiny member of the family trying to get my attention!

Diary of a Confused Mom: January 10th 2016

I heard Z asking his dad today if he could put his dinosaur toy up his nose.

He later announced  to us that he was going to "blow the house down."

I'm not sure where we went wrong...

Diary of a Confused Mom: January 7th 2016

Went out and bought eight matching placemats today. We only have sets of four and I need five because of Z.

I was also thinking about endings today. How, no matter how welcomed they are, have a certain element of sadness. 

I got home and dealt with the dinner drama during which Z took advantage of our distractions to practice his independence. When I 'saved' him he had already opened the knife drawer, pulled out our huge, extremely sharp, butcher knife and was trying to cut the elusive strawberry in his little plate. I'm still recovering from that fright.

But it made me realize there is one ending that actually gives me pure joy; the end of each day. Night time. After the drama, endless snacking, homework,  showers and the tantrums about extra snacking before bed, have all passed and it's just time to chat briefly in bed and then we all close our eyes and sleep.

And maybe it's because that isn't an ending at all, but a chance for a new beginning...

Diary of a Confused Mom: January 6th 2016

I keep forgetting about Z. We're a family of five, and yet, I only set up four places at the table and add his spot hastily last minute every time we eat. 

He only gets a sandwich when he sees his brothers eating theirs and requests one (rather loudly).

It makes sense to me that he has the loudest, deepest voice of the three. Nature set it up that way. He was seriously born with a resonating voice. I remember hearing his screams when he was born, echoing off the walls of the operating room. I asked hubby why he was so loud. That was my very first question about out baby boy.  

Now I know the answer. How else am I going to realize he's there when there's chaos?

Trying to recalibrate my mind to include him as a viable and respected member of the family.

Diary of a Confused Mom: January 5th 2016

First day back at school after the holidays. Chocolate milk bribe to get the boys up.

Diary of a Confused Mom: January 4th 2016

The boys played hide and seek this morning. Z has no idea how to play. He hides in the same spot and screams to reveal himself when his older brother calls out his name.

When he finally changed the spot, he starting his face neglecting that the rest of him was visible to everyone. Innocence doesn't last long...