Childhood P&P 101

Little Bug must have recently gotten hold of a Policy and Procedures book on Childhood because he's suddenly gotten wise to a major childhood rule, namely

Avoid falling peacefully to sleep at all costs.

If you don't count all the bad nights of teething and growth spurts and illness (and I don't because I've mentally repressed most of them), Little Bug is a pretty easy going sleeper. He needs his routine, but when followed, he had always been a pretty willing participant.

Until now.

Suddenly the prospect of night night make Little Bug turn into the manic clown/demon/charmer. Sometimes he will just cry and throw a fit. Sometimes he will play coy and beg for us to lay with him, only to try to distract us from our lullabies with kisses and silly smiles. Sometimes he begs for another book, signing "read" while pointing pathetically to his book case. Sometimes he wants to play with his monkey from Korea (who is completely neglected any other time). Sometimes he will ask for another drink or Appa (or me if Appa is putting him down). Sometimes he insists on having the wooden engine and caboose of a decorative "choo choo" in bed with him, which he lazily rolls over his tummy while eyeballing it (and me) from the side.

It's gotten to the point where we've started placing bets on what stall tactic he will employ. Whether he'll opt for the flat out naked run from the bathroom to another room to hide or whether he'll bravely go into this own room, hop on his bed, and try his hand at the charm.

Sure, it adds 20-30 minutes to our nighttime routine, but it is secretly hilarious to watch this little tiny baby morph instinctively into a broody, manipulative, adorable, stubborn child.