feeling like the worst mom

[misfitinmn]

Oh my, I had heard about how kids really become trying when they hit 3, and my little man is quickly approaching that mark (2 months away from his 3rd birthday) and HOOOOO BOY is he testing my patience. It doesn't help that I'm like 9 months pregnant, feeling huge and tired and REALLY low on patience. He has stalled bedtime for the past couple of weeks, but the last couple nights have been horrendous. He literally cries and finds some reason to get us to go to him for HOURS every night. We allow him to have a few toys and a book or 2 in his bed, and up until this point it has been fine - he'll play for a bit and then go to sleep without incident.

HOWEVER, now he cries if something isn't in the right spot, he says he is scared of EVERYTHING (even when you know he really isn't, really!), he needs a drink, he needs a hug from the parent who isn't standing right there (to get himself out of bed), etc etc. Bedtime is turning into a part-time job after my regular job and I am tired of it. Tonight I threatened to take away his toys if he couldn't lay down and go to sleep, and he wouldn't so I took them away. He screamed and cried and I went back in so he could apologize and I could give them back - this technique always works but it leaves me feeling just awful. I am soooo worn out.

Someone please tell me this is all normal. I'm going wacko!