wahhhhh

Today's title refers to whining. Mine and/or Paudie's. In the last ten days or so, we have officially arrived at the terrible twos. I have to admit, for the last few months I've been thinking... this isn't so bad. Where is all the boundary pushing and general rottenness that I've heard so much about. Well it's here! OMG. How can someone who can be so loving and cute and awesome much of the time be so mean and obnxious... now much of the time! We get it in the mornings - refusing to get up, refusing to get dressed, tantrums at daycare dropoff - and we get it in the evenings with all the brilliant stalling techniques to avoid bedtime. And the little weasel has found his way back into my bed. Brutal!

We had a very busy weekend. Saturday AM was Paudie's cousin's 3rd birthday party, complete with music teacher. I thought he would be all over this since he loves music, but no, he wanted to hang in the playroom alone. My sis in law got him out, but he basically stood in the corner reading a book while most of the other kids sang and danced. Sigh. Then on several occasions I caught him taking toys off of the two younger kids that were there. My son, being a bully. Broke my heart. I know, it's his age and pretty normal, but still, it's disappointing to see.

Yesterday we hit the Polar Express train ride. Man we talked this up all week and he was super pumped for it. In return, Paudie would talk about the choo choo and the circus - not sure where that piece came from. Once we got on the train, he was all wide eyed and excited. Then he started to shove John away any time he would touch him. Wow did that annoy John. It's like Paudie was a teenager and John was parked outside the highschool honking his horn or something. Then we broke the giant cookie in half he got on the train as a treat. Well my god. This apparently ruined the cookie. Jaysus. The ride home was misery. We got in the car just in time to hear the Patriots lose, and then when I forced Purell onto Paudie's hands... mayjah dramaz. It's like, really Paudie? Really?? It has to be this way?

So there you have it. Just in time for the holidays, lots of tears and time outs at our house. Don't get me wrong, there are still bright spots. Last night John heard Paudie on his toy cell phone - he ordered a pizza with broccoli. An act that is both sad and encouraging all at the same time. I just want there to be more of those moments and less of the boundary pushing shiz, but I guess this is going to be how it is for the next 18 years or so. Sigh. It was nice while it lasted.

One last thing - about the photo. I have no idea whay Paudie's arm is all wet. I suppose it might have something to do with an act that preceded him pretending to cut Banjo's leg off.