Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Parenting Is Like Survival Of The Fittest

It's no secret that yesterday was my first solo parenting day with my two boys. Two boys. I still can't quite say that without feeling a tiny bit giddy.


Needless to say we survived but at moments, we did so just barely by the skin of our teeth. As a matter of fact, by the time 10:30am rolled around, I was nearly ready to pour myself a glass of wine and curl up fetal-position-style in the corner of the family room while Curious George played on TV for 764th time. 


I know one thing for sure and that is that having two boys, especially one nearing two years old is one of God's greatest tests of patience. The tantrums are epic, the food battles are insane but just as I'm ready to send The Toddler off to the farm, he does something super sweet and redeeming like bringing me diapers when I'm changing Maclane or helping give Sheepie water as he's banging his head against his water bowl for the third consecutive hour. 


And in those moments? I decide to keep him. 


My biggest fear was getting The Toddler down for a nap. As I know I've mentioned before, nap regression, or giving up his sole nap of the day, started around the time we brought Maclane home and it goes without saying that not only does the The Toddler really need those 45 minutes of renewing sleep but they are an absolute necessity for me too. 


What was I going to do with Maclane? Would I be able to get them to nap simultaneously? No. That would be too easy. 


Lo and behold, I dragged one of the bouncy seats up to Carter's room and with a hope and a prayer set about to getting both boys to nap. Was it easy? Heck no! But did it happen? Yes. And Maclane and I even managed to cat nap as well.


Have I already been online to order new toys and arts and craft activities? Of course. I'm no dummy and with this dreadful heat we've been having, the outdoors is basically off-limits to us. Mama didn't raise no fool and when all else fails? Buy new toys.  


It looks like the three of us may survive these days together after all. 



22 comments :

  1. Congrats on the nap. I am sure you needed it. Good luck and I feel ya on the tantrum situation.

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  2. Those sweet boys! I know it won't always turn out that way, but what a great start! Enjoy it mama!

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  3. With as difficult as I know parenthood to be, you make me excited for the day when I have my little family. You give me hope!

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  4. Good job mama. I'm sure it will get easier as time goes on. Hang in there!

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  5. So glad you got a nap in! Way to go supermom!!!

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  6. I can't even imagine! You're doing great! Chin up - you guys will find your groove in no time.

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  7. It'll get easier! In no time at all you'll be an ole' pro at this whole mommy of 2 BOYS things! AND, from the sounds of it, it's gonna happen sooner rather than later!

    hugs! you're doing a great job!!!

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  8. Oh my, you sound exactly like me when I was first alone with my 2 boys. Eeek. I still struggle a little but I'm slowly getting the hang of it. Luckily, Bennett still takes 3 hour naps (don't shoot me). So that is my saving grace right now. I'm steadily starting to get into a napping flow with my 3 month old, and so far... they seem to be overlapping by about an hour. Hallelujah!!

    Anyway, I'm here to tell you that day by day, it gets a tiny bit easier. Some days all you will wanna do is zone out and have a cryfest by yourself. But it's those good days in between that give you the light at the end of the tunnel. And afterall, you have two amazing little boys to snuggle... so that's kinda worth it, right? :)

    Hang in there mama!! xoxo

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  9. You are an amazing mama love and pretty soon those boys will figure out that napping together is fun (at least I pray that will happen for you too!) and the best part- as they get new toys, you can stay hydrated with an ice cold glass of Chardonnay! ;) hugs and smooches!

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  10. So proud of you Mama!! You ARE WONDERWOMAN! xoxoxoxo

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  11. Way to go! My first day alone with both kids is next week.... to say I'm stressing is an understatement :)

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  12. Way to go AP, you are doing a great job with those adorable little boys! I hope it keeps getting easier for you!!

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  13. I can't believe you already have them napping simultaneously. You are a pro already!

    Also? Griffin isn't even here yet but I am already thinking of toys & activities for Grayson to do those first few weeks. In fact, Griffin is "giving" his big brother a toy weed eater at the hospital. Ha! (You know, because every almost 2 year old BEGS for a mower, blowa, and eater)

    You are doing great!!

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  14. I love your honesty! I read these posts and think, "yup... that's exactly how it was when Owen was a baby only throw in another toddler too".
    Parenting isn't always peaches and cream but man oh man those kids make every minute of it worth it.
    Hope you get more nap times :)

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  15. you can do it, momma! you'll look back & think damn, I totally rock as a boymom!

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  16. O man, the toddler food battle, I am so tired of it that I have officially decided they'll eat when they are hungry. Maybe Carter and the twins can play at the farm together ;p

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  17. Congratulations on surviving your first day---I remember being solo on day one with my just two year old and newborn, both boys:) You will survive, but it is definitely key to get naps at the same time---I often napped holding my wee one while the older one slept...the only way I survived;) You did it!!!

    -Julie
    http://www.thechirpingmoms.com

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  18. Wait .. what? There will be a day that I have to take care of both of these kids by myself??

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  19. I will be the mom to 2 very soon and my 2 year old is SO FUN lately. *insert sarcasm here*. I remember how tired I was with her. I'm worried I won't function after the new one gets here. Maybe I should learn to like coffee....

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  20. My nieces are 14 months apart (they are now 7 and 6, somehow they both survived to grade school) but my brother in law had a wonderful title for them, which he still uses: Terrorist Toddlers, because, that's what they are!!

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  21. some days are trying that's for sure...and many days...mornings to be exact, I'm ready to skip pouring a glass of wine and just drink straight from the bottle...
    It's no doubt a test of patience and a hard job!

    It will get easier as time goes on...you are a great mom!!!

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