The Barometric Pressure

    I have decided (elegant pause and for purposes of causing suspense and adding importance to this post) that atmospheric pressure does not encourage happy/healthy behavior in this family when it fluctuates. I am not claiming to be a scientist (definitely not my forte) or even claiming to understand more than a layman's knowledge of barometric pressure. I know that when cows are lying down, it's not a good day for fishing and that when it's overcast and rainy, I get a headache and my children are incredibly needy. I have no idea where I got the cows and fishing idea. It's a memory from many years ago on a farm in Texas, but if you ever get a chance to test that theory, let me know.
    Headaches and needy children are tried and true theories. Today is a perfect example, a day that has enough 'proven' evidence to back up my claim. The sun was shining this morning, but was quickly covered by dark, gray rain clouds. The darker it has become outside, the more my head has hurt and the more my children have pushed the limits of my patience. (Of course I understand that there is some sort of relationship between a mother's headaches and bad behavior that can happen regardless of the barometric pressure.) I wouldn't really call their behavior 'bad' though, just needing me-- a lot. They suddenly find themselves incapable of doing anything for themselves (and that includes Caelan), they are whiny, they want to be held, they want to be carried, and they walk around with their own little rainclouds hovering over their heads.
    In the first hours of the day, Evelynn couldn't get dressed by herself this morning. Caelan refused to wear the clothes I put on her. McKenna did not want to hold her own bottle. What is going on here? #1. They all know this is our regular routine. #2. They all had problems with it and all fell apart in pathetic crying and dramatic collapsing in the floor or crib. (Not to get off subject, but if hell has weeping and gnashing of teeth, I want no part of it, especially if it's anything like the weeping drama of three toddlers.) Evelynn has pretty much stayed to herself but her patience level is at zero. Caelan has loathed any attention I have given to McKenna, even going so far as to inform McKenna "This is MY Mama," several times. McKenna has been a combination of Evelynn and Caelan, not very patient and more than willing to shove Caelan right back when Caelan is attempting to extricate McKenna from me. There are moments of reprieve (when I've sent them to their beds for time-out; better known as "Mom's Time-out.") It maintains sanity-- and allows me the opportunity to wax eloquent on blaming a bad day on the weather.