It makes the diarrhea worth it, doesn't it?

So, boys are messy. And become dirty and gross with ninja-like speed. And destructive. And half the time, I'm not sure how I made it through the day.

Like one day last week when I found Max sitting in the middle of a big pile of doggie diarrhea, running his fire truck back and forth through it in the hallway (Pia, our rat terrier, was ill - obviously). I just stood there looking at him, unsure of what to do first. There were so many things wrong with this picture. Where do I start? First, I put the dogs outside so they would stay out of my way. Then, for Max, I started with a sponge bath to get off the chunks. Then, a real bath to wash off the germs. Then, I jailed him in his crib so I could clean the now dried diarrhea off the hard wood floor. An hour and a half later, the process was complete.

Or like today when Max acted, for the first time, like he wanted to sit on the toilet like a big boy. I was so excited! I got out his Elmo toilet seat, put it on the big potty, took off his shorts, and took off his diaper. What I didn't notice was that he was in the middle of already peeing when I took off his diaper, so he peed all over my arm and my shirt and the floor of the bathroom and the toilet and his step stool. Then, it took an act of God for me to keep our bull terrier away from the pee-soaked floor so he wouldn't pee on top of it. Get out the mop.

Or like today when he somehow was able to reach on top of the dryer and spill my morning cup of tea all over the clean clothes I had just folded. I needed more laundry to do. I can't wait to re-wash those clothes.

Or when he threw a giant fit because I couldn't sit on his tricycle like he wanted me to so he could push me around. My pregnant belly was too big to fit behind the handle bars and he couldn't understand it.

But then, just when I think I can't take it anymore, there are nights like last night.

My husband and I went to a play (our niece was in Annie at her school) and my mom watched Max. When we got home, we thought Max was asleep, so we snuck in his room to turn on his monitor. But, he was still awake, sitting in his crib just hanging out. He was so happy to see us! He jumped up and reached out his arms for me to pick him up. When I did, he laid his head on my shoulder and had a perma-grin on his face. It looked like he was thinking, "Aaaaahhh, mommy and daddy are home and all is right with the world again and I am safe." I remember having that same feeling when my mommy and daddy were at home way back when. After about a minute of holding him, I layed him back down and he was asleep in seconds.

Times like that make the doggie diarrhea bath and being peed on and the extra laundry and the temper tantrums all worth while. And his sweet smile helps, too.