Patience

So, I thought I was a patient person. I don't mind waiting in long lines. I usually let angry and unthinking folks cut me off in traffic. I could even bear illness with some measure of meekness. Then I had children and discovered that I have an alarming lack of patience with just about everything, and it's really only manifested itself in these few months after the birth of our second daughter.
Our oldest, Bella, who has two years to her name, does not understand the concept of being 'QUIET' when baby is sleeping. Baby usually sleeps in swing (as it is the only thing with white noise in the house at present). I also must mention that we have an old house with wood floors that creak something awful every third step. (I've become something of a ninja trying to step over the creaks, but I always seem to find a new one.) Anyhow, here's the usual scenario:
After finally putting a sleeping baby in swing..
Me: "Hey Bella, baby is sleeping. That means we have to be quiet."
Bella looks up, pretending to register what has just been said, then yells, "Hey Mama!"
Me: "Sssshhhhh! Sweet pea, we need to use a soft voice so baby can sleep."
Bella looks sheepish but keeps throwing her toys around the room. I try to show her how to put them away gently, so as not to make much noise. I think I hear baby grunt or mutter out there, but pretend it was something else.
Me (whispering so Bella takes the hint): "Bella, would you like to go potty?"
Bella: "No!" said with much enthusiasm and therefore, loudly.
As punishment for her obvious neglect of my injunction to silence, I carry her to the bathroom, intent on getting her on the pot, one way or another. Bella starts to whine.
Bella: "I don't WANT to go PEE-PEE!"
Me: "SSSSSSHHHHHHHH!!!" This time the shush gets louder, and I must check myself. Bella sees me getting angry and so whines louder. I try to deflect. "Want me to read a story while you wait?"
Bella: (sniff sniff) "I don't WANT to read a story!" -this punctuated by more heavy duty 'shushing', some mild threats to her future freedom, and me grabbing a book out of the pile. I figure if I start reading, she will have to listen, and therefore, can't talk at the same time. I start said story and tranquillity reigns..until I get to the funny part..
Bella: "HAAHAAHAAHAA! That's SILLY!"
Me: "SSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! PLEASE BELLA!" Then I try some logic..."Bella, if you are loud, baby will wake up, and if she wakes up, she will cry because she'll still be cranky. And then Mama won't be able to play with you as much. Do you want that to happen?"
Bella: (with an attempt at understanding) "I'm sorry baby cry sometimes."
Me: (with affirmative sigh) "Yes, Bella. Me too. So let's be quiet please." (More rumblings from the swing)
At this point, we are done at the potty. I try to convince Bella that now is NOT the time to flush the toilet (usually there is some drama here as well) - and she marches off to make some 'ice cream tea' in the living room, stomping as she goes.
Me: "Aiiiii - Bella! Stop it!"
And I did it - I was loud. I take the short walk of shame to the swing and pick up a cranky baby, still hoping beyond hope that yes, she will sleep again. Bella hands me a tiny tea cup with rocks in it and asks me if I want pink or white ice cream tea. I sigh, smile, and pretend to drink rocks. :)