Figuring it out

Fiona is giving me a few minutes to myself while she dozes in a laundry basket (thanks to Lena for the tip). Patrick went to bed at a normal time with no up and down games. The house is put together, the coffee pot is ready to go, and the diaper bag is packed.

While I know in my brain that some days this will not happen, I'm grateful that it is today. I can live without the computer time, but I get really antsy if the house is falling apart around me. And it's hardly spotless. My mom will vouch for that, as she reads this and thinks about the disaster of a bathtub she tackled on her last visit. But de-cluttered and restful on the eyes. Stuff ready to go and just overall picked up.

Monday went alright, as I was blessed with an abundance of company. Raissa and Micah played with Patrick all morning and into the afternoon between our two houses. My gorgeous sister in law, Beth, stopped by for a visit since she was up north. Jacy dropped in quickly with a meal and let her two kids play for a bit. And Kevin's sister brought her two kids over and allowed them to run around and tire Patrick out even more. Patrick was very grumpy when his cousin stopped playing chase with him to hold baby Fiona. It's the most jealous he's been.

Upon reflection, Patrick did get really overwhelmed. He was very naughty at times and we had a couple of prize discipline moments. If anybody has some brilliant insight on disciplining toddlers so that they GET IT, I'd love to hear it. Half the time he just giggles when I get firm, which really makes me feel like an awesome mom. I'm also trying to be aware that he's two, not five. For the most part, it's really about distraction and redirection, as well as being VERY repetitive. Still, it's tough to know what's going to stick.

Fiona remains lovely. Like all babies, she loves to eat and snuggle, hates being cold and getting her diaper changed, and wants to wake up when I want to sleep! Patrick keeps kissing her. I managed to nurse her while putting Patrick to bed last night by myself! What a trick.