No more grapes...

It's been one of those days...a frustrating one with Reed.  I know he's only just a toddler, but sometimes I just can't handle him.  He got on my last nerve tonight.  It all started this morning.  (Well first, let me say that I have had a sinus infection the last four days and haven't had much sleep being stuffed up at night and draining snot all day...)  Reed woke up a little earlier than normal (around 6:45 am) and was crying.  Not an unusual wake up call, but he wouldn't stop crying.  I think it's because he's getting more teeth in.  He's been grabbing his ears alot lately.  I made the mistake of giving him strawberries and grapes for breakfast.  Strawberries are fine-he loves them.  It's the grapes that I should have known better.  He loves them so, but they give him the WORST gas in the world come a few hours later... It's happened every single time he eats grapes.  So I now have learned my lesson.  NO MORE GRAPES FOR REED!  No matter how much he loves them, I'm not going to give him anymore.  He was so hyper at Lara's today-which was a given because he was finally out of the house and had other kids to laugh with and chase around playing tag.  But then again-he's at that point where he doesn't listen.  I tell him to be quiet-he screams louder.  I tell him to stop-he runs away from me.  It's so frustrating.  I then went to CosmoProf for a few minutes and had him stand in the grocery cart while I paid-what does he do?  Growl at everyone in sight-super loud and won't stop.  I'll spank him, slap his hand, etc.  nothing phases him... He could care less if I'm scolding him.  I know by now, you are thinking I'm a horrible mom.  I don't mean to be but I just have had it today.  He finally fell asleep in the car ride home and I put him down to nap.  I take a benedryl because of my cold.  I get really sleepy and the moment I lay down to rest, Reed comes bailing out of his room crying-great... At this point I'm exhausted.  It's four in the afternoon and he won't stop crying.  Not his typical wake up call after naps- usually he comes out of his room happily rested.  So I put him in the high chair and give him some oranges for a snack.  He eats them up super fast and then cries again.  I know it's gas because he lets out a couple big farts and is curled up in a ball on the floor saying, "Owwe!"  I decide to take him on a walk outside to get the gas out.  So we go to the park...  He cries the entire way there-is happy for two seconds playing on the slide, and then cries again.  By now I'm sick of the crying...Six o' clock rolls around-still crying...and still farting...poor kid.  Anyways...my night goes on.  We get ready to go to Schnepf Farms for the night only to find out half way there, that it's closed Monday nights.  So we turn around and come home.  He gets his second wind at bath time and is crazy-wild splashing me, blowing bubbles and drinking the water.  All while hitting his head on the side of the tub every two seconds because he's so hyper and keeps slipping... I finally have to walk out and let August handle the rest of bath time.  Too frustrating for me...  I know I'm just tired and I'm sorry for this ranting but what I'm getting at is that Reed is a wild child.  He's hyper, but cute.  Rarely does he listen, but I love him.  I put him in bed at 8:00 pm and of course he has a fit and crawls out of bed running after me.  I hurry up and shut his door-I don't want to deal with him... He cries at the door.  I take a deep breath and calm down a second and then return back in there to tuck him in bed.  I can't go to bed frustrated at my little man.   I humble myself and talk to him quietly asking him to, "be a good boy and please listen to mama.  I've been sick and I'm sorry I was mean to you. I love you so much and I don't mean to get frustrated.  I just want you to be a good boy and obey mama." While telling him all these things, I of course start crying... He looks up me with his sweet little eyes and wraps his arms around my neck.  He gives me a hug... I love him.  Those are the sweet moments I cherish.  I hate having little patience with him and wish I was a better mother.  I just had to vent and just wanted to express how blessed I am to have a sweet little boy like Reed.  No matter how much of a terrible toddler I think he is at the time, he's mine and that's all that matters.  Love is what matters.