Hard knock life

So life.  Its harder, then easier, then harder again.  This week was a harder one.  Eric worked late every.single.night.  And I'm not talking about 8pm late, I'm talking well-after-bedtime late.  Sad for him, sad for kids, sad for mom.  But we survived!  A few nights, I got some help, which saved my sanity.  Tonight was a particularly great.  We asked Marcus Paige's girlfriend, Taylor, to come over to help out during the evening.  When Marcus showed up, it was a bonus for the boys (for obvious reasons), and bonus for me, because Marcus could play with the boys and I could hand the baby to Taylor.  So I actually could do things! Like laundry, and sweeping the floor ,which hasn't been swept in a week.

 

Unfortunately, although this really difficult week is over, basketball season is just beginning.  Which means lots more single-parent moments.  I'm learning to really appreciate the moments of peace.  Like when I am able to relax because someone else is holding Avery.... when the boys are playing nicely and Avery is sleeping peacefully.... when I am able to sleep because Eric has taken Avery out of the room in the middle of the night.  Notice that peace usually revolves around Avery sleeping.  Notice driving in the car is notably absent from peaceful moments. 

Avery hates the car.  Hates.

This is a problem.  Driving in cars are a necessary part of our lives.  85% of the time, Avery is screaming while I am driving.  And during the other 15%,  we are just waiting for her to lose it.  There have been several times during the past few days that I've gotten Avery out of her seat after a 10-15 minute screaming-fest and she is literally dripping in sweat.  "Crying" doesn't accurately describe what she does in her car seat.  She wails and sometimes she reaches a decibel so high that only pigs and rabbits can hear it.

But the good news is that screaming doesn't happen in the sleeping hours (at least usually).  This is a HUGE relief.  She still isn't a great sleeper and has trouble settling down and going back to sleep after I feed her at night, but we have made huge strides from a few weeks ago.  And not a moment too soon.

I guess we will keep her.