Having a hard time

Last week was the pits.  I got this flu/cold from Odessa that turned into a really sore throat and no voice.  I didn't have a fever, so I took my turns teaching preschool since it was my first week to teach.  Not the brightest, but I felt ok enough to teach and didn't want to bum out on my very first week.  Thursday we did a nature walk which included me pushing the loaded stroller up a steep hill to a park.  Thursday night Stephen has meetings and  so that night I was dealing with a very cranky baby and trying to get dinner for whiny 4 and 5 yr olds by myself.  After dinner I was feeding Franklin and the girls were getting ready for bed.  Since getting his teeth, Franklin has bitten me occasionally while nursing.  My tried and true methods of training him NOT to bite have not seemed to work on him. Thursday night he bit me hard on both sides and after the second time (after shouting "NO!" and bopping him on the nose) I just burst into tears. He did not seem phased.  The exhaustion of the whole day and feeling sorry for myself just came crashing in.  I let myself enjoy a good cry for a few minutes.
Pretty soon Odessa came in:  "Mom, we're wai-ting." (I was supposed to read them books).
Me:  I just need a minute
Odessa:  (following me into my bathroom)  Why are you crying?
Me:  I'm just having a hard time (using the phrase they use when having a melt-down)
Odessa:  A hard time doing what?
Me:  . . . being a mom
Odessa:  (looking at my bathroom counter-top for a few seconds) Well, have you taken your vitamins today?

That response is SO Odessa.  Instead of saying "awww, I'm sorry mom- let me give you a hug" like my other daughter would have, she looked for the obvious solution.
I burst out into giggles and thankfully, the worst of that week was over.

Let's Hear it For The Boy

Yes, I totally came up with that blog post title after Modern Family last week- it was subconscious, but nevertheless . .  .  Over the last 2 years I have had several of what I call "literary moments".  Knees knocking together (leading music), wringing of hands while speechless (raccoon with paws against glass door) and today- stopped in my tracks.  When I used to read these "moments", I thought they were just silly descriptions. Back to today:  I was moving about the kitchen with Franklin in arms and my train of thought ran thus:  "Oh, how could I love this boy any more than I do?  No one will ever be good enough for him . . . ." (this is where I stopped in my tracks) THUD "Oh, I feel so sorry for his future wife".  I instantly realized how high a standard I would probably set for any future companions of my 5 MONTH OLD.
When I was recounting this for Stephen at dinner, I got a little misty-eyed.
Stephen:  "Are you CRYING?"
Me:  "Someday he's going to love someone" (bursting full on into tears) "MORE THAN ME!"

And those were my realizations today . . . .