Changling

I think somebody swapped my child for another one somewhere between my house and the toddler group opposite us this morning.

After him pushing all my buttons this morning making me think somebody had given him a crib (ha) sheet with which buttons to press and in which order for maximum stress effect on mama, we took Kaloo-bear to toddler group and he settled instantly. Went off and played by himself with the toys, played with other children, played with other adults (almost unheard of, especially if they're strangers). Was happy, chatty, smiley, flirty almost.

I think maybe, apart from having Kaloo with us, it was because there weren't so many children there. And they weren't all running around going mental. I think, when I look at pre-schools again (if), I will have to try and find a fairly quiet one! Same for first schools too. A smaller, quieter school, where he can be himself and not just get lost in the general melange of children.

He came home happy.

And played with his trains by himself for a bit while I made a fruit salad to share.

Which he happily shared with me while he drummed.

And then happily brought Charlie Bear with us to the supermarket.

And sang all the way round. And showed Charlie-bear to everyone who would listen, told them his name (Charlie's name, that is), told them that Baby Brother would be here soon (he told one chap that Baby Brother was coming today - not such a small part of me would be happy if he is right about that!!), chatted and smiled and sang, and when we were in the cafe afterwards having our hot chocolate/tea and chips he found a little girl to make eyes at across the room and properly flirt with, playing peekaboo over the tops of chairs, giggling, and bouncing.

It's ever so slightly unnerving, this dramatic change in behaviour. I do like it though! I hope this Ben is here to stay. I'm not enjoying mornings at the moment, Ben has been horrible in the mornings this week. He doesn't like Steve going off to work, and then he grumps. And then I grump because I can't deal with him being so clingy and demanding and whingy before I've had chance to eat anything, and so the spiral of grumpiness has begun.

And yet, somehow, we managed to get out of the house and it all got better!

I suspect taking Kaloo-bear and then Charlie-bear out with us helped a lot somehow. Ben was looking after them, and not paying much interest to himself. I wonder how we can start bringing the bears downstairs for breakfast again.... he did go through a phase of doing that: we had rabbit and bear join us at breakfast and for getting dressed and going to the toilet and everything, but not at the moment. Perhaps he'll do it again tomorrow? We will have to see I guess!

He's asleep at last now, it gets to about 4pm and he's had enough. Today he lasted 'til 4.30pm. You know he's fast asleep when you manage to drop your phone on his head and it doesn't bother him. Oops. Sorry Ben :-)


And in other news, the Great Hospital Bag Packingness has begun. I've had my list for a while, I've had a few bits of baby clothes for a while, and Baby's stuff is pretty much all bought. I've finally managed to sort my bits and bobs out today (y'know, maternity pads, breast pads, that kind of stuff) so I can start packing my bag for as and when things start happening.


Might come in useful.


Especially if Ben's right about his baby brother coming today.


(Somehow I doubt it, but you can never be too sure about these things can you.....)