Today has just been an awful day. For some reason, I'm extremely tired. I can't seem to get my house even straightened up, forget about clean. Mason has started this high pitched screaming thing and is one ball of energy that can't sit still. (I am bruised because of his jumping on me)Syd has been a challenge non stop and just spilled water all over my desk and papers. DH called to say he had to go to a meeting out of town, so he won't be home until late. Which means, me feeding both kids and giving them a bath and putting them to bed by myself. I would skip the bath, but Mason has dried applesauce in his hair. I could just cry!! Yesterday was the same thing and I ended up eating a power bar for dinner. I think I'm in need of a break.

How do you all do it and keep it together. Man, I'm losing it. Little man is screaming for me....Thanks for letting me vent.

By Heaventree on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 06:23 pm:

Isn't the screaming great? Cameron can shatter glass. It's joyful to him, painful for others who have to listen to it. Be thankful that you don't have a 2 year old who thinks emulating his baby brother is a good thing, with the screaming that is.

Husbands that travel, golf, play hockey and have late meetings are also great. Sometimes it feels like I haven't left this house in 2 years.

Oh and BTW who says we keep it together?

It gets better, then it gets worse again, oh but it gets better again, so hang in there. I feel your pain.

By Melanie on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 06:40 pm:

Oh Eve, I am here taking a mommy time out because my 9 year old is driving me insane! I feel like I have been jamming a fork in my head all day. LOL, maybe I should just give you a call and we can be miserable together.

Hang in there....

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 06:42 pm:

I think if I was that tired, the applesauce in the hair would just wait until tomorrow. It isn't going anywhere! There were times that my kids probably needed a bath, but they didn't get one until the next day.

I've always been very thankful that my kids were never screamers, like that! It's okay, though. The dog has a high-pitched bark that could put hair on your chest to make up for it.

{{{{HUGS}}}}

When we were selling our house, before moving here, Sarah had been playing with water in the bathroom and made a huge mess. Then someone had come to look at our house and the realtor asked why there was water in the basement. Well, my 3yo flooded the bathroom. What can I say? (It's hard to "live" in a house that can't looked lived in, you know!)

By Happynerdmom on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 06:46 pm:

{{{{{Hugs}}}}} I sure don't miss those days! Those are "survival mode" days. If you get to the end of the day with everyone still alive, you've succeeded! Guilt needs to be tossed out the window...one day (or one week, lol) of videos, and cereal for dinner in the midst of a trashed house is not going to permanently scar anyone, I promise! I've got two happy and well-adjusted teenagers to prove it! Take deep breaths and hang in there! It doesn't hurt to think of a few ways you will reward yourself, either, lol!

By Colette on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 06:53 pm:

(((Eve))) I hope things have calmed down a bit!

By Eve on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 07:10 pm:

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Mason just had a bottle and is in bed. One down, one to go! You ladies are great! Sometimes I feel like I have no support with a DH that works long hours, and yes, golfs too. LOL It's nice to be able to come here for a little boost. (((Hug)) to you too!

By Andi on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 07:14 pm:

((EVE)) Been there done that. Those are some of the hardest days. This too shall pass.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 07:17 pm:

(((Eve))) Oh yes, I've had many days like that, especially when the kids were little. "Survival Days" is right! You do whatever you need to do just to make it through the day. Nothing more. I agree with Dawn. Skip Mason's bath for now. He doesn't have much hair. Wipe off the applesauce with a warm, wet sponge. LOL! Hang in there!

Do you have any plans tomorrow (Friday)? Want a visitor?!

By Missbookworm on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 09:00 pm:

I agree toss the guilt out the window! Let the house go! Skip the bath! I used to think I had to do it all, have a super clean house, all the laundry done, "gourmet" dinners etc. THEN I started working (I'm a single mom) I can't even begin to tell you how much I've let go! I feel like I barely get done to me what the basics are.

I start holidays tomorrow and I've decided to do the basics of cleaning tonight and then run away for the weekend while my children are visiting their dad and just deal with the way things have come. Whoever imagined I Ms. Neat Freak would be reduced to this! LOL

((((((((((( Eve )))))))))))))

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 09:34 pm:

Wipe off the applesauce with a warm, wet sponge.

Did I really type that?! LMBO! I meant...

Wipe off the applesauce with a warm, wet wash cloth.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 09:42 pm:

What drove me nuts, when my kids were little, is that DH never could understand why I was so tired all the time! LOL! I remember always being tired, even after Emily's baby stages.

By Colette on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 10:06 pm:

Eve - when I would get like you are, dh would bring home takeout - usually salads with grilled chicken or steak and a bottle of wine, and it would help take the edge off after the kids were in bed. I hope you find a way to relax and have time to yourself, after the dks go to bed and before dh comes home. It's such a big change going from 1dk to 2 dks (3 is much easier). Good luck!

By Dana on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 06:54 am:

Good morning Eve! Hope you are a bit more rested and ready for the new day. It may be better than yesterday, but then again, it might just be a repeat so buckle up and hang on.

I remember how I was feeling back in May when I had just had my car accident and my little one had discovered how to climb up on everything unsafe. I couldn't move fast enough to keep him down and I certainly couldn't keep the house clean. I do know I was in tears at least twice after posting my woes here at MV. I also know DS had gone to bed a few times w/ no bath. DD too. And many nights in the week I was coming home with fast food for dinner (something I have NEVER done). Come to think of it, I even let him sleep in the crib that had some milk vomit in it. EWWWW! I was just too tired and too sore to pull the sheet and place a new one in. I just found a towel and covered the spot.

You just do what needs to be done and move to the next point. A better day is ahead, but sometimes not right away. (((HUGS)))

By Kim on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 07:34 am:

Hugs Eve! I can remember when the kids were smaller and all four of them would act up! Sometimes I had laughing attacks, seriously, or I would have bawled my eyes out! If it gets too bad give yourself a time out! Maybe make a certain amount of quiet time every day? Put the baby in a swing or jump up and have Syd read or do a quiet activity in her room while you sit and soak in the tub? Maybe schedule something like that for the same time every day around your tired time. My ex used to travel for days at a time and I am trying to remember what I did for re-energizing! I feel for you! I do not miss those days!

By Cat on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 08:34 am:

{{{{{Eve}}}}} I hope you got a good night's sleep.

By Sandysmom on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 12:40 pm:

(((((Eve)))) I know how you feel. My little dd is demanding so much of my attention lately and my older DD is being a real pickle. I ask her to do something and she acts like I'm asking her to cut her arm off. I told her I was going to trade her for a week with one of the Amish girls down the road and then she would see what work was. LOL!!

By Reds9298 on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 02:21 pm:

{{Hugs}} I've BTDT, too! It's an awful feeling know that you have little ones to take care of and feeling all alone and incapable due to your state of mind. Hope you're feeling better soon!

By Eve on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 09:21 pm:

Thank you, everyone. Today was a little better. Trina was nice enough to meet up with us for a little shopping and ice cream. It was a nice treat for me because she held Mason while I shopped! Thanks, Trina!

Tonight is going well because DH is putting the kids to bed and I got to take a shower and relax a bit! Thank goodness for the weekends!

By Dawnk777 on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 11:52 pm:

I'm glad you had a better day!

By Kaye on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 08:18 am:

Glad to hear you had a better day. Going from one kid to two is tough! I really don't know anyone who did so with out some tough times. The third was so much easier The difference is with one, you are one on one (man to man defense) you get a break. But with two, the dreaded zone defense, it seems someone always breaks through and you never get a moment to yourself. Those moments are at least few and far between and very very needed.

My suggestion...I know you stamp, maybe scrapbook. Find a group that meets monthly and GO. If that needs you need a sitter, then try to do it. A few hours a month of mommy time can really recharge you. And actually having it scheduled and on the calendar gives you something to look forward to. I had a creative memories scrapbook lady I went and cropped with once a month (all these consultants do this). My crops were sat am, some people did fri or sat nights. Also through stampin up, I had a consultant that offered monthly "stamp camps". Which meant I could go and stamp for about 5-10 dollars and she set up the projects. Anyway, it really made me a healthier person to know that I was going to get out!

By Colette on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 12:16 pm:

I am glad you were able to relax. I hope your weekend is full of time for just you!

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 09:45 am:

You're welcome! I had fun with the kids. Mason helped me pick out some outfits for Bethany. LOL!