January 13, 2014
6 days until 26 months
Colter and I have had a rough go of it the past week or so. I blame it on the lack of snow. Or the down after Christmas. Or sleep deprivation. Perhaps it's just because I have a two year old - and he has been really good at being that recently.
Naptime and bedtime is just plain exhausting for me. I know he needs to sleep. He doesn't know. Take today for instance: my son was running wildly around the house making a noise that sounded something like "Psss" every few seconds. Then he would crash and fall and yell, "Oh no! Crash!". Repeat. He pulled his kitchen stool into the room next to the futon (which we have laid out like a bed for book reading). He then preceded to climb on to the futon and make a spectacular jump off. I admit, he is a grand jumper with the most fantastic landings.
I digress...
This continued for the better part of 15 minutes. At which point I decided that my current tactics (calmly explaining that it was time to read a book and take a nap) weren't working. I did what any logical mother would do: I laid down on the futon and closed my eyes.
I felt like a tigress waiting in the grasses for her prey. I knew he would eventually come to me. 'Tis the nature of the two year old. I relished my two minutes of peace and then...
I pounced. I pinned him down, changed his diaper and coaxed him for a few minutes of "Goodnight Moon". We were a few pages in - a picture of... the cow jumping over the moon. And three little bears sitting on chairs (please notice we have yet to start saying "Goodnight" to anything). At which point he looked slyly my way and pronounced, "Milk?" I couldn't hold it in any longer. I busted out laughing. And he did too.
Off to the kitchen we went. Poured some milk (with Colter holding the straw because God forbid he doesn't) and meandered back to the futon. Where he decided it was more fun to jump than sit and finish reading the book. I'll spare you the details: 10 minutes later, 2 tantrums, another book and a rock on Mama's lap and the boy was curled up in his crib and half way to dream land.
Victory.
Back in mid-July, my 16GB SD card lost itself (as they would say in the lovely language of espanol). The contents were all the pictures from late May through mid-July - at least 500 photos of canyoneering adventures, gardening, technical rescue training and my Dad's 75th birthday party at the Canyon. You can imagine how distraught I have been.
So it lost itself. I hate to place blame on a wee little child. So innocent, so sweet, so...toddler-y. I've searched high and low for this silly little card - from the recesses of the couch to the depths of the toy bins. I've had no luck. Everyone swore it would just "show up". I have not been to hopeful. I spend day after day with Colter who has the habit and fitting things into the small of places. For example, a few days ago he placed his Lego gas hose into my floor room heater. That hose took a good 30 minutes to remove (or else have my house burn down...). A few weeks back he stuck this plastic piece of "water" for his matchbox car fire station set into the lock hole in my dishwasher. Gone forever.
Needless to say, the thought of the SD turning up has been wiped clear from my memory (besides the occasional heart wrenching pain when I think of trying to recreate a 2013 Photo Book with 3 months missing). I try not to think about it when Colter begins to annoy me. It's just not worth wallowing.
This morning as I sat catching up on a few emails, my toddler played quietly by my side at the printer (I know, I know. I like to think of it as an "advanced" toy. Don't tell CJ.). He caught my attention as he started telling me that it was broke (Oh, lovely, Heather. Your husband is really going to be happy about this one). I looked down and he was trying to close the top portion where paper feeds in and out for copying or faxing. He was right - it wouldn't close.
What's really odd is that the printer has been opening and closing for as long as we've had it. No problems - ever. Until today.
I reached my hand under the 1/4 inch slot to feel around for what might be blocking it from closing. I pulled out a rather dusty SD card. As I turned it over to see what card it was, my heart lifted and there were a series of "Hallelujahs" and "Oh Praise Gods". I think I even managed a high-pitched squeal of some sorts. 16GB. In fact, I really couldn't believe it. I reached to my computer and ejected the other 16GB card. Two 16GB cards. It can't be! I plopped into the computer and called my husband, "You are NOT going to believe what I just found!!!" "Um. No. Really? It can't be!"
Victory!
In the words of Napoleon Bonaparte (who I do not often refer to for inspirational parenting quotes), "Victory belongs to the most persevering." Thanks, Napoleon. You are truly an inspiration to Mothers everywhere.
