At least three days a week, Julia wakes at 4:30 to 5:00 in the morning and requests to sleep in our bed. Sleep isn't what she does. She flops, she rolls, she pats my head, and she sighs. Craig and I take turns handling her, but since he's out of town, I've managed it solo for the last two mornings. Eventually, she will fall asleep but that's usually after she's bothered me so much I have no chance for further shut-eye.
This left me a tad cranky this morning, and I may or may not have yelled at her once or twice (to which she responded like a wounded animal). She was so fussy this morning that I surmised she is either 1) over-tired; 2) getting sick; or 3) missing her dad. Probably all three. After a tearful walk to Grace's school for drop off, I relented and gave her a choice: go to school or stay home with mommy. You know where she is.
It's actually been a nice morning. I've had neighborhood association business to attend to (100 high school students are doing a clean up on Earth Day, and yours truly volunteered so Mr. Clean Up, Craig, didn't feel compelled), and Julia tagged along while I identified garbage dumps. We've also done some painting--something I did a lot with Grace, but Julia, being the second child, rarely does. I guess you could say we've made up after our rocky start, and I've tried not to beat myself up too much about losing my cool. She's nearly three, and three-year olds are dictators. She's not quite the fanatical tyrant her sister was at this age, but she can push my buttons regardless.
She can also melt me. Yesterday, at another low point, having nothing to do with her or my absent husband, she said to me, "Don't worry mommy, we all float on okay. You know like my favorite song." She's right. We do, and we will all float on okay. If you're having one of those low moments, or you just yelled at your kid when she didn't deserve it, remember those words. Or better yet, listen to Julia's favorite song*:
*This isn't the best video, but it gives you the lyrics. If only I had video of Julia singing along.
4 comments:
love it! good words to remember, we'll all float on okay. such wisdom from julia :) yesterday after picking up anne from school anne knew i was sad and she said to me, don't worry mommy, when we get home i'll give you a kiss (this was after the dressing room incident... i just wrote about it, in case you have no clue what i'm talking about)
hope craig makes it home safely and you guys have a great weekend!!!
thank you! I needed this after the day I had with Lucas yesterday! I need to remember that line :)
Julia is an optimist!
Good philosophy!
God bless all. Love, Aunt Kathy
Profound insight from the three year old. We could all learn something from her. Also GREAT taste in music! Love that song!
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