Once we got our exhausted three year old home and the Raiders game started, it all went downhill. Ruby ate her lunch and went upstairs for her nap. I read two books, sang our song and put her in bed. She realized I forgot to give her milk with her lunch. Crap. I told her I'd get her a small cup of milk if she stayed in bed. She did, drank her milk and I left her room. It only took a few minutes before she was out the door. We heard every excuse in the book...I have to go pee pee, I want to go downstairs, I need to say goodnight to daddy, I'm not tired. You name it, she tried it. Every time I walked her back to her room telling her to be a good listener. Every time she followed me back out with another request. After 15 minutes, I finally gave up, walked away and went to take a nap myself. Adam was downstairs cleaning so she spent the next hour walking around, talking to herself, checking on me, etc. Unfortunately, she never went to her room to nap.
By 4 PM, Adam was going to the grocery store and Ruby said she wanted to go. Great for me, or so I thought. They walked out the garage and Ruby saw the neighbors playing. She was exhausted and I didn't want to sit outside with her so Adam put her in the car to leave. She melted and would not get in her car seat. He waited patiently and told her to be a good listener but she didn't budge. He finally gave her a choice, go to the store or go inside. She obviously wanted to play with the neighbors. He carried her back in the house and drove away. This is how the next half hour played out:
10 minutes of her crying and "I want to play with my friends!" and me telling her she should have been a good listener. 10 minutes of crying and "I wish daddy would come back. I want to go to the store!" and me telling her she should have been a good listener. 5 minutes of crying and "The couch moved. I can't fit through anymore!" and me telling her she should have been a good listener. And finally, 5 minutes of crying and "I'm so tired!" You think?
I carried her up to her room telling her she should have been a good listener and rocked her for two minutes before she was out cold. It was really late for a nap but none of us was going to make it to bedtime at that rate. I woke her up after a half hour. Things were better but she was still clearly exhausted which caused several more meltdowns and conversations about being a good listener before it was finally bedtime. I'd be lying if I didn't tell you it was a relief to shut her door and head downstairs for a break that night.
A few minutes late, the door opens and we hear Ruby come out of her room: Mommy?
Adam and I ignore her.
Ruby: Mommy?
Adam: Ruby, go back to bed.
Ruby: Mommy? I'm hot in my elephant pajamas.
Me: I tried to tell you would be hot.
Ruby: I'm hot in my elephant pajamas. Can you get me new pajamas?
I slowly push my big belly up from the chair and start to waddle toward the stairs. It must've been longer than she expected.
Ruby: Mommy? Mommy? Mommy, you need to be a good listener.
Adam (still downstairs): Hahahaha!
I guess she is listening =)
