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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Just tellin' it like it is...

Sour little apple. Literally and figuratively.

Beck has been a fussy mess lately. And I don't know why. Nor do I know how to combat it besides some good old fashioned patience.

My once two-a-day napper has suddenly decided to dramatically decrease his morning nap (expected), and give up on the afternoon nap too. Today he "rested" - a combo of kicking his feet against his crib, babbling to himself, and sleeping I presume - for two hours. His morning nap was only an hour, so I know he needed to rest/sleep/whatever.

He's into this grunt/whine-until-I-get-what-I-want thing right now too, which is hard for both of us since I am trying to instill manners in the young lad and insist that he say please before I will give him what he wants. And that's really hard when I know that just giving him whatever he wants would be a quicker solution. Then, I think about the long run, the run in which I don't want to raise a spoiled child who is demanding and whiny.

Believe me, it's really trying. And, often, by bedtime, my tolerance level is shot. I'm looking for the towel to throw in, but it was shredded to bits around 4pm. My nerves are in a similar state. I keep chalking it up to a phase. A really long, sigh-inducing phase.

Additionally, I applied for grad school yesterday, and that, too, has added to the head-spinning feeling that I have. (Carrie, are you ready to go back with me???? Puh-leeeeeease????)

{Backstory: Back in 2005, when I graduated from UK with a BS in psychology, I took the dreaded GRE and applied to UT and UofM in hopes of pursuing a Masters in Social Work. Then, after being accepted, and then after graduating, I freaked out and decided to not go. I spent the months of May and June in a state of limbo before deciding to go back to get my degree in education - another bachelors since my state does not have a Masters program for elementary education. Point being, that my GRE scores expire in February of 2010. Like, 4 months away. And, because I don't want to have to retake that pointless exam nor waste any more money on it, it was imperative that I go ahead and apply and at least take a course or two. }

So, that's where I'm at. Now I just need to find someone or something to fund it because the last thing I want to do is to take out more student loans. So, it's either save save save or apply for scholarships/grants which seem to be few and far between. If you know of any, let me know.

We're also amidst a slew of car trouble. B's car has been in the shop since Friday, so we're driving a loaner - a sporty little station wagon called an M3. We lovingly refer to it as the Mousemobile. The repairs are extensive, of course, and I'm dreading the bill. Add to that the fact that once we returned from the dealership my car died in the driveway behind the loaner, and you've got yourself a slew of car trouble. New battery. Installed by my husband in the rain on the day he took off to take us to the pumpkin patch. Sigh...

Did I mention that the furnace was also repaired a couple of weeks ago for $500? Yeah, it's been a fun month. A month in which I thought the extra paychecks would pay off the Jetta. The car that we're paying through the nose for right now as it takes a spa vacation at the VW dealership.

Yup, I'm complaining a little bit. That's life. Not always easy. But, I'm just tellin' it like it is...

ETA: My state requires that all teachers attain a Masters degree. You must start it within five years of graduating from undergrad, and finish it in 10, so my reason for applying now is serving dual purposes.

6 comments:

Amy said...

masters in education? That's awesome!!

Mommy Webb said...

I am with you 100%, Abby. Walker is in that whiny stage too and it really wears my nerves down. I am exhausted by the time I put him to bed and have no energy to do anything that involves a brain. Seriously! I think the twos must start early for boys:).

Duet Diva said...

I hear you on the whiny phase too. Cowboy has started the "if I dont get what I want when I want it" I will cry my eyes out and scream, LOUD. It is lovely and truly testing my mommy anger management.

On all other matters, when it rains it pours huh? Praying for you as you battle the crazy times:)

Shubie said...

Hang in there Abby-just think about all the patience you have for those 20+ 5 year-olds...there's a reason we are in this profession right?!?

Nat said...

Car trouble is the WORST!! Isn't it ridiculous how much masters programs cost??? K and I are both looking to go back to school but I can't imagine us taking out $100,000 in loans...
I hope Becks grows out of this stage soon :)

AbbyS. said...

Oh girl I KNOW ALL ABOUT THE humming, grunting. I am working so hard with my 16 month old to say please, but the grunting turns to yelps, yelps to screams and wow...I GIVE IN! I do not want to raise a spoiled guy either. Please keep up the efforts, I know it is hard. My state (KY) is the same on Masters. I finished mine (while working at Hallmark after school to cover the costs) and now am working on my rank 1. Good luck with it all! I know exactally the boat you are in. It will all work out with the car, something will happen about school and our boys will say please and thank you one day! Hang in there!!