A day with Andrew is always an interesting one. Today was no exception. As always, Andrew came into our room at about 6:30am. "Hi mommy, I want a hug!" Cute, but much less cute at 6:30am. I walk him back to his room, make him get in bed, give him a hug, and leave. I go back to our room and get in bed, praying that by some miracle, Andrew will go back to bed. About ten minutes later, Andrew climbs into bed with me and says "Mommy, I wanna snug you" (snug=snuggle...very cute, but still, it's too early). Andrew snugs for about fifteen seconds, then gets out of bed talking about how he wants a yogurt. He goes into the kitchen, gets out a yogurt drink and a straw, and brings them to me so I can put the straw in his yogurt drink. I realize, quite sadly, that my day has officially begun. I accompany Andrew out into the family room, turn on Emperor's New Groove (yes, Andrew usually watches TV first thing in the morning while I attempt to wake up) and doze off with Grant in my arms. I'm awakened by Andrew excitedly yelling "MOMMY! I WENT POOPOO IN THE POTTY!" in my face. Sure enough, he did use the potty. Good job Andrew! I get him dressed (he has to completely strip when he goes to the bathroom, no idea why...) and he asks me for breakfast. More like shouts at me for it. "MOMMY! I WANT OATMEAL!" Since I can't make oatmeal appear out of thin air, I go to the kitchen to make some for him, but I'm not fast enough (again with the whole not being able to make oatmeal appear instantly). A tantrum ensues...Andrew is on the ground, kicking his feet and crying "I want oatmeeeeeeaaallllll!"
After we control the oatmeal situation, Andrew is much happier. He runs and thumps around the apartment like a crazy person (oh how our downstairs neighbor must love us), running his dump truck into my feet and pulling cushions off the couch. Meanwhile, I'm trying to fold the laundry that has been sitting out since Monday. I've got a nice little pile sitting on the couch, I turn my back for five seconds and--bam!--Andrew is lying where the laundry once was, and all the laundry is on the floor. I know what you're thinking: "Why are you trying to fold laundry while your toddler is awake?" I have no idea why. I guess I'm insane ("Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" -Albert Einstein).
Anyway, when lunch time comes around I ask Andrew what he wants ("Hot dog!") and graciously provide him with a hot dog and some apple slices. He runs around between bites, and finally we have to start threatening him: "If you finish your lunch, you're going to bed right now!" (of course, he's taking a nap after his lunch no matter what, but it's still a good motivator). While he finishes lunch, I sit on the couch to feed Grant. I again doze off, but wake up to hear him telling John that he went poo poo in the potty. John goes in to check and says "You've gotta come see this." Uh oh. I go into the bathroom and discover that Andrew has indeed gone poo poo...on top of his clothes....which were in the potty. Hmmm....good job Andrew? We're of course thrilled he used the potty, but not so thrilled that he put his clothes in it first. He still gets a sticker on his potty chart...
Naptime, thank goodness! We sing "I am a Chide of God" (as he calls it), and then it's blessed, beautiful, peaceful nap time.
An hour later the peace is over and it's back to the chaos that is life with Andrew. I'm doing some dishes and realize that I can't hear or see Andrew....never a good sign. I find him in our bathroom, playing with John's contacts. "Andrew, no! You're not allowed to play with our contacts!" In typical Andrew fashion, Andrew throws said contacts in the sink (fortunately they were John's...hehe). Andrew then pays a little visit to the corner.
Since Andrew has been sick and his cough has become pretty bad, I decide to take him with me to the store to get some medicine (yes, I went to the store on a Sunday...he really needed that medicine. He was sooooo much happier after he took it). Anyway, we're in the store and I'm perusing the cold medicine aisle when Andrew shouts "STOP THE CART! STOP! THE! CART!" Yes, everyone with in earshot (probably half the store) was staring at us. I have no idea why he wanted me to stop the cart, but I did of course have to remind him that he's not allowed to yell at me like that. I'm sure he's learned his lesson now.....
Haha.
Anyway, during dinner Andrew flings rice everywhere and puts food in his water, which of course leads to him getting his cup taken away and a mini tantrum. Is it bedtime yet? John has Andrew sit on the potty, but after he's done, a hyper, naked Andrew runs around the house. John finally manages to diaper and dress him and I take him into his room for bed. During his prayers, he thanks Heavenly Father for home, mommy and daddy, grandma and grandpa and says "bless Andrew get better, bless Mommy, Daddy, baby Grant. Didi rice (Jesus Christ), amen!" Cutest thing ever. We sing, snuggle, and say goodnight. "Love you mommy. Love you night night!" For the first half hour after he's in bed, Andrew continually comes out and asks for hugs. We usher him back to his bed, where he eventually falls asleep.
Whew. Another day done. Exhausting, but totally worth it for all the laughter, hugs, kisses, "I love yous". I wish I could say that this post is a compilation of several days with Andrew, but it's not. This really, truly is just how today went.
After we control the oatmeal situation, Andrew is much happier. He runs and thumps around the apartment like a crazy person (oh how our downstairs neighbor must love us), running his dump truck into my feet and pulling cushions off the couch. Meanwhile, I'm trying to fold the laundry that has been sitting out since Monday. I've got a nice little pile sitting on the couch, I turn my back for five seconds and--bam!--Andrew is lying where the laundry once was, and all the laundry is on the floor. I know what you're thinking: "Why are you trying to fold laundry while your toddler is awake?" I have no idea why. I guess I'm insane ("Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" -Albert Einstein).
Anyway, when lunch time comes around I ask Andrew what he wants ("Hot dog!") and graciously provide him with a hot dog and some apple slices. He runs around between bites, and finally we have to start threatening him: "If you finish your lunch, you're going to bed right now!" (of course, he's taking a nap after his lunch no matter what, but it's still a good motivator). While he finishes lunch, I sit on the couch to feed Grant. I again doze off, but wake up to hear him telling John that he went poo poo in the potty. John goes in to check and says "You've gotta come see this." Uh oh. I go into the bathroom and discover that Andrew has indeed gone poo poo...on top of his clothes....which were in the potty. Hmmm....good job Andrew? We're of course thrilled he used the potty, but not so thrilled that he put his clothes in it first. He still gets a sticker on his potty chart...
Naptime, thank goodness! We sing "I am a Chide of God" (as he calls it), and then it's blessed, beautiful, peaceful nap time.
An hour later the peace is over and it's back to the chaos that is life with Andrew. I'm doing some dishes and realize that I can't hear or see Andrew....never a good sign. I find him in our bathroom, playing with John's contacts. "Andrew, no! You're not allowed to play with our contacts!" In typical Andrew fashion, Andrew throws said contacts in the sink (fortunately they were John's...hehe). Andrew then pays a little visit to the corner.
Since Andrew has been sick and his cough has become pretty bad, I decide to take him with me to the store to get some medicine (yes, I went to the store on a Sunday...he really needed that medicine. He was sooooo much happier after he took it). Anyway, we're in the store and I'm perusing the cold medicine aisle when Andrew shouts "STOP THE CART! STOP! THE! CART!" Yes, everyone with in earshot (probably half the store) was staring at us. I have no idea why he wanted me to stop the cart, but I did of course have to remind him that he's not allowed to yell at me like that. I'm sure he's learned his lesson now.....
Haha.
Anyway, during dinner Andrew flings rice everywhere and puts food in his water, which of course leads to him getting his cup taken away and a mini tantrum. Is it bedtime yet? John has Andrew sit on the potty, but after he's done, a hyper, naked Andrew runs around the house. John finally manages to diaper and dress him and I take him into his room for bed. During his prayers, he thanks Heavenly Father for home, mommy and daddy, grandma and grandpa and says "bless Andrew get better, bless Mommy, Daddy, baby Grant. Didi rice (Jesus Christ), amen!" Cutest thing ever. We sing, snuggle, and say goodnight. "Love you mommy. Love you night night!" For the first half hour after he's in bed, Andrew continually comes out and asks for hugs. We usher him back to his bed, where he eventually falls asleep.
Whew. Another day done. Exhausting, but totally worth it for all the laughter, hugs, kisses, "I love yous". I wish I could say that this post is a compilation of several days with Andrew, but it's not. This really, truly is just how today went.
