The Devil Wears Carters

The one thing that drives me the most insane on a daily basis is the unrelenting barrage of whining. Every word all day long is pronounced in a tone akin to a firetruck siren. "IIIIII'mmmmmm awwwwwake." "I don't want thaaaaat to eat", "your hands are weeeeeeett" I know that I am contributing to this behavior in some way. I suppose that I should just tune it out, ignore it. Have you ever tried ignoring having bamboo shoots jammed under your fingernails?

All the experts say to be consistent. Do these same professionals have an RX pad readily available for the high dose of valium I might need in order to cope with this fluency in whinese?

We have tried to illustrate to sprout just how annoying this whining is..."I don't waaaaaannnnnt to pay the bills", Whhhhhhhhy do I have to go to wooooooork" "Whhaaaaaaat do you waaaaannnnnt for dinnnnnnner"

I am hoping this is a stage and I will continue to repeat my mantra of "Love them the most when they are the least lovable" God Speed.

Peanuts VS. Walnuts

I think I have neglected to mention that aside from my own certifiable nut I am responsible for a smaller and even crazier nut. My brother and sister-in-law both work full-time. They have left their darling off-spring in my care. We shall call her peanut. Peanut came into my care at 4 months of age. She is now 20 months old and basically I would describe her as a bull in a china shop. Incredibly dexterous and equally intelligent she gives me a bigger run for my money than my own. Combine the two and it is like napalm. Everyday from 7:30am until 5:30 pm the two nuts are fighting, hugging, laughing, crying and generally making me laugh and simultaneously sending me to an early grave.

I think both of them are far better off for the experience of growing up together. They are learning to share, the importance of family and what it like to have a sibling. They love each other and drive each other crazy.

I am learning what it is like to have 2 children and wonder if adding one of my own might throw me over the edge. Along with the added stress of simply managing two children physically come the challenges of meeting both of these kids needs emotionally. Do I favor my own? Am I too hard on peanut because she not mine and a little nutty? Does she get enough love and guidance while here? Will she think back fondly on her time with "mama", I mean auntie? So instead of wrestling with the normal am I being a good mother guestions I am now saddled with Am I a good Aunt questions.

Where is my wine?

Dog Days

I have a dog. I love her. She is going to be 13. I have had her since she was 10 weeks old. As someone against puppy mills and pet stores, I have to admit that is where our relationship began. My only excuse, I knew no better. When I first met her at 8 weeks, she suffered from a dastardly case of kennel cough that left me heartbroken and in love. I had to save this poor pup from her meager existence at "puppy love". Nearly 13 years later Molly experiences occasional bouts of incontinence, a horrible case of allergies and a serious sense of entitlement. In her golden years I want the best for her and to indulge certain behaviors, yet I find myself taxed by her non-human needs. After all I have 2 small children and a demanding husband sucking the life from me...uh, I mean, loving me. I am guilty.