We got to Gymnastics on time and Ella did great waiting. Elizabeth's class starts at 9 and Ella's is at 11. Both girls did great all morning. The first melt down came when we were leaving. Ella wanted a bottle of juice from the machine there. Mom said no. Ella wasn't having that at all. I had to carry her out while she was screaming. But I wasn't going to give in. I had brought water and snacks for the girls so there was no reason to spend the money on juice. Well, I had to physically hold her in her car seat to get her buckled. Tracy and Muriel were parked next to us and Tracy told me she hoped the ride went ok. I knew Ella would unbuckle. And before I even sat in my seat, she had. So back I went to buckle her again. I even used her little jacket to tuck it around her so it would feel like she couldn't move. It really wasn't tied but before we got down the street, she had it unbuckled again. I pulled over and buckled her back up. The whole time, Elizabeth was coloring and being calm, thank God. We stayed parked for awhile and I offered Ella water again, no luck. She finally calmed down after she had a sip of my pop. Within a few minutes of being on the road, both girls were asleep.
Tracy called to talk and said has been in that position and was trying to figure out what to do to help. She even felt bad about driving away. Tracy, just calling me to check on me was exactly what I needed. The girls were sleeping and I was calming down. But, it was nice to talk to someone who has been there too. I know part of Ella's meltdowns are because she is still getting used to me being the mom. With Elizabeth, she knew at a younger age that Mom means it when I say no and no amount of crying is going to change that. Ella is still figuring it out. And really, who knows what happened in China? It could be she was indulged when she cried or maybe she had to fight for everything. But, we will get through this as exhausting as it can be. It is really hard being a single mom some days... but I wouldn't trade it for anything at all.
The girls were still sleeping when I pulled in the driveway so I opened the windows on the car and started getting stuff ready to mow the lawn. Elizabeth woke up and played outside while I mowed. I even got to trim some bushes and do some weeding on the patio. Ella woke up very unhappy. So the two of us sat on the back porch and just cuddled while she cried. And then, she was fine.
After a late lunch we relaxed inside. The girls were watching Snow White while I was getting cleaned up. When I got back downstairs Elizabeth was sitting on the table and Ella was on her lap. Elizabeth said, "She is scared of the queen mom" I leaned over and gave Elizabeth a kiss on the head and told her I loved her.
Then we took Dad to Saturday night mass. Oh My Ella Did it Again. The 5:00 mass is a little more populated than the 8 am mass. During the homily Ella let the whole church know how mad she was. It was kind of funny but embarrassing at the same time. A very loud NO MOM was heard all over. I took her to the back of the church and of course we were sitting in the front. LOL We stayed back there for a few minutes before going back to our pew. I also told Ella that if she didn't start behaving, she was not going to be able to finish watching Snow White. Well... guess who went straight to bed when we got home? Ella was a pill at dinner and Elizabeth was pretty good except she wasn't sitting nice in church and had a dress on.
During dinner Dad was saying he wished he could help more but that maybe I should get a babysitter when I go to church. I don't think that is an easy answer since he wants to go to 8 am usually. So that is too early to ask someone to come over and watch the girls. And then they don't learn how to behave. Really they do pretty good most Sundays, yesterday was just special I guess. :-) But, Dad did reinforce my parenting. He said you always have to correct them and not let it slide or that becomes the norm. My dad is pretty smart!
I bet when Ella wakes up she asks to watch Snow White. :-)
P.S. I am trading out Ella's booster seat for the regular car seat today. She can't unbuckle that one. I had warned her that was coming if she unbuckled again.
Update Already.
Elizabeth Ella and I are going to go out to breakfast and then shop. Always a good way to test behaviors. :-)
Ella came downstairs and then had to go back up to use the bathroom. We could hear stuff but we were not sure what she was doing. And then bang, here comes my 3 year old all dressed for the day. And she did a great job.
Elizabeth then had to go up and find something pink. I don't have anything pink to wear so we won't be a matching trio today.
This picture is from a few days ago. My brother and sister in law from Florida sent me flowers for my birthday... Thanks Little Brother... they are beautiful.
4 comments:
Joan, I don't know how old Ella is but I, too, have 'been there, done that' with the unhooking of car seats. My oldest was very bad at it and my son wasn't much better. I finally had them convinced that the car wouldn't go if they werent' hooked up and we'd just have to sit on the side of the road - or in a parking lot - if they unhooked. Be consistant and this, too shall pass.
Hugs, Terri
Bless your heart Joan. Last week during the consecration, Tess said in a toddler volume kind of voice, "Are we done?" LOL. They do need to learn how to behave in church and sounds like you're doing what will eventually work!
It sounds like you had an exhausting Saturday Joan. 3 was much worse with my oldest than 2 so perhaps this is a bit of Ella's behavior. Aren't we lucky they give us lots of cute moments too? Hang in there; you are stronger than most people I know and your girls are lucky to have you!! Michelle
Joan,
So glad I could be a small ear to listen in the middle of your difficult weekend! I always have and always will admire your strength as a single mother. You are very down to earth, loving and in-tune the the needs of your girls (even if they don't realize it at the time). Hope this week is better! See you next week at gymnastics!
Tracy
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