Distractions, Distractions
Posted By jayna on April 27, 2009
This house we’re in is a split level. A lovely, seventies-esque throwback to the days when no one had air conditioning. I grew-up without knowing the joys of not sweating all night long in the summer, and didn’t experience the glorious cool down till I was 22, married and moved to Texas. I did have an air conditioner in my college apartment, but it was missing a few major parts that were never replaced during the entire three years I lived there.
E is in my old bedroom, and when we moved her into the big girl bed, I had the genius idea to shove it over in front of the window. Not only did the room seem bigger that way, but she would be able to have a nice, cool breeze when it got hot up there.
It was all good while it was still cold out and we didn’t even think of opening the window.
The last two days have been killer on the heat. So, every window in the house has been open. And every nap and bedtime has been a battle and a half.
First, the wind blows the shade open and closed. Big distraction.
Then, the birds start singing. Big distraction.
Then, a plane flies overhead. Huge distraction.
And then, the dog barks. End of any sort of attempt at sleep.
Tonight, I fixed her. The second time I heard a soft little voice calling out “Baaarbie! Come! Baaaarbie!” and “Grammie! EEEE! Grammie!” I lost what little was left of my patience. Walking in to find her standing on her bed, calling out the window to the dog and my mother, completely ignoring me telling her to get down – that was it. Not to mention the fact that I seem to have an even shorter fuse when I’m 800 degrees and feel like a whale.
Her little, scantily pajamaed butt was sitting in the doorway in no time, as she watched me shove her bed as far away from that window as it could go.
Back up into bed she went and in no time, she was passed out.
It may be 90 degrees in there, and I may have her in just a diaper to keep cool, but she can’t even think about looking out that window anymore. Problem solved and lesson learned. Toddlers and windows don’t mix.
Thinking of you!
Oh, Lordy. The days of being about to burst with a baby and having to mind toddlers.
I completely and utterly feel for you, hon.