oh man part II

So, I just read erica's blog and although I feel her pain, inside I am sorta kinda very happy that I'm not the only one that has days like the one I'm about to tell you about. One day last week we were having a wonderful day. Nice weather, good kids...went grocery shopping and other little errands. Came home to have a quick lunch before nap time. I filled Josh's tray with many wonderful things...of which he picked through and ate what he wanted and proceeded to tell me he was all done. It was at that moment I could have said, "ok, let's go to bed" but I didn't. Why I didn't I don't know. Later I told nick on the phone, "well, I might have started a war at our house". That was the understatement of the year. All he had to eat was HALF a grape or a slice of banana. I wasn't being unreasonable. I told him he couldn't get down until he chose one...I had to stick to what I said. Who knew our stand off would last hours. so, from 12-2 he sat at the table...going through a range of emotions...calling "mama help me. I can't" when I'd say, "are you ready to eat yet?" He got down to take a nap and then when he woke up he went back to the table from 4-6:30. I tried everything in my power to make him want to get down. I am not above bribing...he's young, he needs extrinsic motivation still right? movies, cookies, ice cream, going to see mia, I even put buzz on top of the fridge and denied him hugs and kisses. I even told him he was a stubborn mule and that didn't phase him either. In hopes that he would just eat the grape Nick and I ate our dinner outside. No, nothing. I almost gave in. After all, it had been hours. Nick was all, "No, you started this. We have to finish it". Finally, I decided to make a game out of it...first touching it to my lips. then he did. and then licking it. he did it. then he just popped it in. OH THE CELEBRATION!!! we danced, we cheered, we ate cookies, we turned on the TV, we hugged...and the kicker. Do you know what he said once he ate it, "oh yum" and popped another one in his mouth. Yes, I could have killed him that day...but I just kissed him instead.

by the way, he chose the grape.