What a day…

So today turned out nothing as planned.  Originally, we were going to head out of town for a day trip after Music Together class.  But last night, my cold got bad and headed in the direction of sinus infection and potentially worse.  So I called off the day trip and started the usual round of treatments.

We went to Music Together class, and the day started out on a positive note --- Jackson made it through the entire class with no time outs!  A lot better than last week when, during a time out, he went free-willy and peed all over his shirt and we had to leave mid-class.

I kept getting more and more tired and achy through the day, but willed myself to pull it together for J-man.  So I decided to come up with some stuff to get him out of the house for a bit.

1st stop – pet store to check out fish, birds, gerbils, cats, and dogs.  So much fun!  He loved it.  He was a little polar with all the “carry” and “down” back and forth, but other than that, not too bad.  Until I suggested that we go visit the book store and see if they had a train table (I thought they did, but wasn’t sure).  Jackson was confused, and didn’t understand that leaving the store would lead him to aforementioned train table happiness.  Commence loud tantrum.  Luckily pet noisiness drowns out toddler-crazy somewhat….

My plan?  I was craving a fancy coffee.  And the craving was even more intense than usual because I *tried* to do the same thing yesterday at the mall where I took him to play for a little while.  Except the line was too long and he went into freak-out mode before I could even have a chance to order.  So I gave up.

2nd stop -- But today I was determined to indulge!  So we walked over to the bookstore.  The line for coffee was only a few people, which is about 3 too many for Jackson’s taste.  I immediately went for the big guns and gave him my iPhone (don’t cringe --- Google the videos on how un-breakable that thing is).  Except all he wanted to do is press the big button which would exit any game I started for him.  So that lasted about 17 seconds. The rest of the wait --- him fighting against holding my hand or letting me hold him by the jacket; regular yells / cries / shouts; angry/annoyed/embarrassed looks from patrons (I mean, come on, who decides it’s a good idea to bring a tantrum-prone toddler into a coffee shop full of readers and quiet conversations?!). I finally get my coffee and somehow steer him while holding the hot cup, his coat (that he INSISTED be taken off) and my bag all the way to the back of the store where the (HALLELUJAH! they have one!) train table is at.  The adult chairs were taken, so I had to sit in a child size one, but all was good because I had my non-fat-no-whip-mocha and he was playing quietly with the trains.  Siggghhhhh. 

It was a glorious 40 minutes. 

But when it was time to go, the granddaddy of all tantrums erupted. I couldn’t do the usual grab him up thrashing and head out because I couldn’t get his coat on! So I fight him for a bit and finally get the coat on.  Meanwhile he is screaming “MY TRAINS!  MY TRAINS! MY TRAINS!”  As soon as I get that coat on, I look like a total klutz figuring out how to hold a thrashing two year old, pick up my empty coffee cup, and my bag, but finally manage to get it all and head back out the store.  He screamed the entire way out (right past the coffee shop….sheesh). 

He gets a time out in the car.

After the mental and physical exhaustion of the book store, we have to head to the grocery store to run the one necessary errand.   Jackson’s patience was long gone, and he was not in the mood.  As usual, I try to rush as fast as possible through the task, but he didn’t want to play along.  The toys I brought – thrown down and taken away.  My attempts at distraction – not working.  Highlights included him throwing his train so far that it went deep under the aisle – in front of a nice crowd (and a super-nice little boy became determined to retrieve it for him, even though I said it was gone-for-good). Also, a time out in the beverages aisle and a time-out in the bread aisle.

We made it out and headed home.  Jackson chose pizza for dinner, and I started getting it ready.  Then, from the living room, I hear:

“Mommy – pee pee.”

And Jackson is referring to his soaked shirt AND pants.  Because he performed his free-willy trick again. 

There were moments from today where I had some I’m-a-single-mom-with-a-sinus-infection pity party thoughts… but I focused  on trying to stay positive and put things in perspective.

Some more positive thoughts from today:

a) It was awesome watching Jackson play with the trains for 40 minutes straight.  Definitely seals the deal on getting a train table for his birthday.

b) I DID have that coffee after all.

c) I hope Jackson is like that boy at the grocery store who went out of his way to get a cranky toddler his train back.

d) I loved seeing him at the pet store.  Calling the guinea pig a “baby dog” ? priceless.

e) I guess potty training won’t be that traumatic considering I’ve been dealing with wet PJs, sheets, and clothes for some time now…

f) I decided to veer from routine (me? what????) and do something special --- eat dinner in the living room (WHAT?!) and watch TV (WHAT?!).  We always eat at the table with the TV off, so this was definitely a treat.  Perhaps a Saturday night ritual to start :)

g) Jackson snuggled with me on the couch some while we watched Nick Jr.  Best remedy for my sinuses yet.

Even though today didn’t turn out like I planned, sometimes I just need to be reminded that I need to just chill out and roll with the punches.

I love that little boy.  Tantrums and all. :)