Going through this pregnancy with Jayna and seeing how she changes on a daily basis is a wild ride. It amazes me how many little things that happen that I had forgotten from our first run through.
My wife is a gorgeous, witty, strong and intelligent woman. Typically if I am absolutely positive of something and she remembers it another way, odds are she is right. I’ve learned this the hard way on multiple occasions. She likes to remind me that I am four and a half years older than her when this happens. Lately, the shoe has been somewhat on the other foot. I remember vividly her mind went to mush when she was pregnant with our daughter. The case is comically the same this time.
Jayna has started telling me stories multiple times. With all the conviction as the first time she told it. She’s even told me stories that I heard first person, at the same time she did. I was standing right there. Doesn’t matter, she tells them anyway. And even with a snarky look on my face, it doesn’t seem to register with her that I’ve heard this until she is finished with the story.
Today at lunch the comedy of the situation was ratcheted up a little more. The other night we had taco salad for dinner. This is a quick and easy meal that we turn to on a regular basis. It also reheats well so we can have leftovers for another meal later in the week. That was the plan for lunch today. Finish off the taco salad. Jayna starts getting everything out of the fridge and goes to get the chips out of the “chip drawer.” Does everyone have a “chip drawer”? I’m thinking so, it’s a household requirement. Sorry, I digress. To her surprise, she found the bag of lettuce in the chip drawer. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen lettuce that’s been in the chip drawer for about 3 days, but it isn’t pretty. Needless to say, we had taco salad without the salad.
Today was a hard day for me. I took it hard anyway. I was grumpy, snippy, hard to be around and just an all around grump. The 3 year old whine monster was plucking my last nerve all day and I’m sure I was more cross with her than I should have been on several occasions. Jayna went out with some girlfriends to dinner and a movie tonight so it was a daddy/daughter date for me. We went to Freddies for a burger and PBCB concrete. I decided I was going to be happy about it and have a good time. It wasn’t fair for her to have to put up with me, she didn’t do anything but be a 3 year old. But she tested me. This is silly I’m sure, but I’m going to tell it anyway.
We arrived at the restaurant and ordered our meal. We sat down and discussed the forthcoming meal and how we would get ice cream if we ate our whole dinner. She seemed very content and was responding well to my newly forced attitude. Maybe her obnoxiousness today was all me. I know, deep. I should probably know this stuff, being an adult and all. Our number was called and I went to the counter to retrieve our meals. She had to accompany me, I guess I can’t handle these things alone. We returned to our seat and I cut up her chicken strips and we discussed how we would need to blow on them so we didn’t burn our mouth. I take the first bit of my patty melt and low and behold, “daddy, I have to go potty.” Seriously? Sweetie, mom isn’t here, we can’t just leave our food here at the table and go to the bathroom, can you hold it until we are finished eating? This was apparently the wrong thing to say because it triggered an all out kicking screaming fit. I love it when she does this. I really like it when everyone in the entire restaurant is staring at me like I’m some sort of child abuser. You think that girl doesn’t know how to play a crowd, whatever. I said this was a little silly. But come on, anyone could do anything to our food. Maybe I have an issue. But now I have two issues, the fear of leaving our food at the table and a temper tantrum throwing three year old. She won. We went to the bathroom and everyone gave me the don’t worry, we understand look during my walk of shame. They also seemed to tell me they would watch our table. We returned and ate our meal while I tried not to think about it. We had a nice frozen custard and everything was right in the world.
When we returned home, we started cleaning up our toys and getting ready for bed. Needless to say, my conscience was getting the best of me. I felt horrible for my smug attitude all day and thought I should talk to her about it. I sat down in the floor and explained to her that I was in a bad mood today and it was no fault of hers. I told her I was sorry for being angry today and I would try to do better tomorrow. She gave me a huge hug and said, “I’m glad you feel better now daddy.” Ugh. She didn’t even hit me and knocked the breath out of me. How can a three year old child offer such unconditional love and understanding. It wasn’t long ago that I thought only a dog could offer such unconditional acceptance.
We finished cleaning up and got ready for bed. Before settling down for bed she announces she wants to “have a talk” in her playroom. I go in and we sit down in the floor and she picks up her doodle pad pro. She announces that she has to “write mom up” for not being here and we begin our discussion.
“Daddy, I spy with my eye someone with an Eximo Joes shirt on.”
“Would that be me?”
“Yeah….with a big cheese ball grin.”
“Well, I spy a precious angel.”
Again, a big cheese ball grin and “daddy, that’s me.”
“Ok squirt off to bed.”
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