Thursday, September 12, 2013

Woes and wonders

This week has been both painful and unsatisfying in many ways, and yet I cannot count it as a complete fail, thanks to the little (and big) fellows in this household who have shined through my puddleglum as only they can. Tuesday was cloudy inside the house and outside the house, thanks to the rain and the departure of our beloved Ankie Tae, who had come to visit for the weekend. Every housebound soul that day was edgy and upon the 6th pooper of the day I did indeed cry. Disobedience was rampant in the ranks, energy was in overload due to being stuck indoors, and I'm pretty sure I spent the entire day tending one mess upon another (milk, dried beans, leaky diaper, dog vomit, more milk, water, overflowing toilet, to name a few). When Tiger woke up his brothers from their coveted (by me) nap after only 35 minutes, I decided the most effective method of discipline would likely be administered 15 minutes later, when the boiling I felt in my heart had simmered slightly. I sent the big cat to bed (sort of a trade, since his brothers had missed their time in bed) and promised him a "reminder not to be so unkind in the future". As it turned out, the mere waiting period was torture enough for the wee soul and I found a very penitent heart awaiting my return at the 15 minute mark. After putting the boys to bed that night, I confided in George that I had not mothered my sweet charges as I would have wished... that I felt like my mothering abilities were being held by a thread that day. He helped remind me that tomorrow is a new day, God is a God of forgiveness/restoration and that my boys do know that they are loved. I suppose every parent faces their own ugly limits at some point, and for me it was humbling. I awaited the coming day with mild trepidation ("please help tomorrow be a better day than this day has been"), and with deep anticipation ("I cannot wait to love on those little critters fiercely tomorrow"). The past two days have been rich, filled with much activity, as usual, but I have faced them with far more gratitude and delight than I was able in the earlier part of this week. Thanks to the men in my life.

"A couple highlights?" you ask:
Madigan mastered the removal/replacement of his trike seat. He announced this afternoon that replacing the seat in the backwards position is "much more practical". When I queried him, he demonstrated (as seen in the photos below). No questions, please.
"Jumping onto the couch from great heights was not my idea." Madigan's explanation as to why he was still jumping on the couch after I asked him not to. Hun-Hun's idea?
I heard whimpering in the living room and when I went to investigate, the Tiger was sitting with a pillow over his face. I walked over, placed him in my arms and asked him if he was alright. The tears poured, quite suddenly and he told me he had run into the gate and hit his head. I discovered a rather large scratch/bump on this head below his hairline. He snuggled into my arms and let me comfort him for over 20 minutes (a record for a Tiger on the go).

Paugie is a super tender heart. During this last round of "the plague" I got a nasty cough. Every time I cough, he runs into the room to find me and says, "You okay, Ma?". I am now!
When I ask Paugie to do something, he usually responds with "no" and a twinkle in his eye. If I give him "the look" he smiles and quickly acquiesces to my request. He's got spark, but not enough to burn you. :-)
Paugie pulled me over to the couch this morning, climbed in my lap and laid his head on my chest. When I kissed him, he reached up and touched my cheek. Oh my word...

Lochlan has FINALLY started sleeping through the night!!! At 5 months he stopped sleeping through the night, so after 6 long months, this is a welcome relief. We took him to a chiropractor and within two weeks, he's like a new man. He's also moved into the room with his big bros, much to his delight, so I think that's helped him on the sleeping front (social butterfly loves company).
Paugie refers to Lochlan as "Jevy" and Madigan has taken it a step further, so he is now affectionately referred to most often as "Jevy James". Kinda' kills me.
Our Jevy has a tinge of the dramatic, it turns out. When he's fussing and I call him to come over to me, he dramatically tosses himself onto the floor, placing his head in this hands and wailing pathetically. He looks up periodically to make sure the display is being fully appreciated. What a character!















5 comments:

Gwendolyn1946 said...

I am laughing with pure unadulterated delight. What precious wee boys you have in your charge, my dearest Eryn and with what incredible skill drenched in awareness and love you tend to them. I love your entries. Love your words, your heart, the pictures you take. Thank you for making them, the boys, not so far away as they otherwise are. Love you.

teona said...

I love 'knowing' these little men, not just knowing of them!

Much love Aunt T

Unknown said...

I LOVE McMadigan's elaborate vocabulary. When I read what he says, I can't help but read it in a Mr. Darcy voice... I LOVE it!

Unknown said...

The unknown was none other but me, T Marsh! :D

Unknown said...

I LOVE McMadigan's elaborate vocabulary. When I read what he says, I can't help but read it in a Mr. Darcy voice... I LOVE it!