It’s that time again. Cian was sleeping. He was, really. Then he got fussy, but there was hope of him going right back to sleep. I may be unrealistic, but I’m still holding out for sleep overtaking him. He’s had a lot of activity today, a lot of crying, and a lot of fussing. That has to have tired him out enough to sleep. Right? Both he and are exhausted.

Hunter’s been bad enough at school and during homework recently that we’ve had to…

–Went to sleep, it’s now the next morning–

…take pretty much everything away from him. I know that it’s in the nature of children to push the boundaries that parents have set, no matter what age they are, but these endless attempts at negotiation are maddening. Punishment is not supposed to be fun. That’s why it’s punishment, and not happy-fun-candy-time. Convincing a hard-headed eight-year-old that punishment is the effect to his actions’ cause is nearly impossible, even when you’re a hard-headed thirty-one-year-old. I’m being mean and unfair, I’m not delivering consequences for arguing incessantly with teachers and parental units (including myself).

I have to say, though, that I’m glad that his teachers are not shy about communicating with parents. Keeping the lines of communication open has let us know that he’s having the same issues there that he’s having at home, and it prevents him from playing one group of adults against the other.

All of that said, he had an excellent day at school yesterday, and only threw a minor fit when we enforced his punishment here at home. I have high hopes that he will continue the good streak, and take advantage of this opportunity to earn his way out of punishment.

I’ve got about half of the Twizzler drool off of my screen.

Easter has come and gone, and it went well. The Easter Bunny brought baskets for all three boys, there was an egg hunt in Howell with Nikki’s sisters and our families, and there was Dinner in the TWP with my parents and brother and the Nitsches. Wow, how Reader’s Digest of me.

If you’re wondering, Cian is in his car seat, falling asleep, and I’m writing this while I wait to make sure he’s not faking out. Again. :) ‘s TKO’ed on the bed next to me and NCIS is on the TV. This show is growing on me like a fungus.

Aidan and Hunter were both good today, though they definitely had their moments where their likelihood of survival plummeted. I know that I’m making progress as a parent, though, because I was able to finally let it go today, when it was all over. It was an incredible relief, as well as a badge of pride.

Looks like Cian’s crashed. Time for me to try and get some shut-eye. Yay!

How does one reprogram a newborn’s internal clock? I’m pretty sure NTP (network time protocol) is broken. Awake at night and sleeping during the day.

Wait. That sounds like me.

He eats too fast, and gives himself gas all the time. Totally makes him cranky and his stomach upset.

Wait. That sounds like me.

Half the time, he seems like he has no idea what he wants to make him happy.

Wait. That sounds like…

These mini-me comments are getting way too accurate. ;)

First trip to the doctor for Cian today. He’s got conjunctivitis in one of his eyes, otherwise he’s fine. His growth is normal and healthy, and he’s gained all of the weight back that he lost at the hospital, plus some. I’m not naturally distrustful of doctors, but I have to admit that this pediatrician put me at ease as soon as he came into the room. I kind of wish that he was in Lansing. Since he’s not, I need to find one that will take both Medicaid and military insurance.

My welcome back to eBay has been interesting, to say the least. Now, when accepting payment via PayPal, and your auction is classified as “risky”, they will hold the payment until:

21 days have passed
Positive feedback has been received
Delivery of the item has been confirmed by PayPal

Risky means that your auction has ended for more than $100, or it’s in one of the “risky” categories, such as computer parts.

I think 90% of my positive feedback has been from selling computer parts. Needless to say, this is beyond irritating. That, and one of the winners of my auctions has already decided not to pay, and is not responding to attempts at communication. My first group of auctions back, and I’ve filed an Unpaid Item case. CraigsList has its own share of dumb, or I’d already be using it. 5/6 successfully completed auctions isn’t that bad, is it? *headdesk*
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Random Cooking with Dave
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Four pieces of Tilapia that has been frozen so long, they’re almost guaranteed to have freezer burn
Olive oil
Water
Garlic Garni purchased at the RenFest
Eight slices of Pepper Jack cheese left over from a Walmart lunch meat tray
Tortilla chips left over from Los Tres Amigos and El Azteco

Preheat oven to somewhere between 350 and 450 degrees.
Place water, olive oil, and Tilapia in a glass baking dish. Frozen fish is floating. Hee!
Sprinkle liberally with Garlic Garni.
Bake at around 350 for 7 minutes, grumble about the water not boiling away yet, and raise oven temp to 450.
Bake for five more minutes.
Pull out of oven and drain almost all of the fishy, oily water.
Lay two pieces of pepper jack cheese on each piece of fish.
Crumble tortilla chips and sprinkle over everything. Liberally. No, really. Don’t be shy.
Bake at around 450 for 10 to 12 more minutes. Or, really, however long until the water has evaporated and the grease from the cheese is boiling.
Let cool until cheese can be cut with a spatula.
Enjoy!