Hard Times

Dear Parker,

Last week was really rough.  I started musical rehearsal in addition to the pep band games.  I didn't get home until 7:30 two nights and 10:00 or after the other two.  It's really taking it's toll on you.  I feel horrible about it.  On top of that, your ears still aren't better and you got the flu on Tuesday night.  Luckily, your Aunt Lauren came to stay with you since neither of your Moms can really afford to take another day off of work.

This week isn't shaping up to be much better.  Mom and I are going on a date tomorrow night (which we really need to do, but isn't going to help you any.)  Tuesday, I have rehearsal.  Wednesday, you are getting your tubes, Mom is leaving for her conference in Chicago and I have rehearsal, so Nancy is coming over.  Thursday, I have rehearsal, so Aunt Lauren is going to watch you and then Friday we have to go to Michigan for Aunt Kimber and Uncle Steven's baby shower.  It's just going to be busy and hard since your Mom will be gone for half of it.  I am praying that these tubes help you feel better and that the procedure and recovery is easy for you.

Yesterday, you had an extremely hard day.  It started off by you kicking and hitting me over cheese and crackers and it was just all downhill from there.  It was the worst you have ever behaved in your life.  Luckily, it was (relatively) short lived in that it last only for the day.  After dinner, I got brave and took you out (again - the first trip was a DISASTER) and you were wonderful.  Now, it could be because you were tired or because I promised you 30 minutes of tv if you were good since you had lost tv previously in the day.  But, whatever it was, you figured out how to be a good little girl again.  I think you mostly don't feel good and miss me and just don't know how to deal with that.

We had a much better day today.  I'm glad that the "terrible twos" we experienced yesterday don't appear to be a permanent thing.  Tonight you wanted to listen to "Annie" and spent quite some time running around the loft singing with the cd and attempting the dance moves to "Hard Knock Life."  It was hilarious.  You've also been very into reading your own books lately.  The books we read frequently, you can pretty much say verbatim.  If you forget, all you need is a couple of words and you get the whole page.  Books that you aren't as familiar with, you just make something up based on the pictures.  I think it's so cute.

You are still taking good care of your babies.  I can't wait until you have babies in your life to actually help take care of.  You will be such a good cousin and, someday, big sister.

I love you Parker.  Let's get through this week together.
Love,
Mommy