Mootherhood Uncorked - Do Babies Have Baby Radar?

Do babies have baby radar? 2/6/2011

Like most parents I find my child to be smart and on top of it. But in reality he is 20 months old so although he has learned a great many things over the past year and half, I cannot fully give him credit for be an all knowing seer and having the providence to understand cause and effect as thoroughly as an older child or adult. In preparation for the soon to arrive younger brother, we have been implementing all those good parent techniques of talking, reading, and room preparation so William is “aware” of the impending arrival of a new addition to the family.

For weeks when asked if there was going to be a new baby he would of course reply “no”. Any early defense mechanism I am sure. But somewhere in the last week or so I have noticed a shift. Not only does he ask for the baby book to be read repeatedly, but he responded with a shrug, sigh, and a “yes” when recently asked the same questions. On top of all this he has been exceptionally clingy. Now I do think its adorable how he wants to be close to mommy. “Up Boo” he asks frequently, or “sit” while pointing to the floor near him has been frequently uttered in our home and the quality of his hugs have really improved. Now they are full on front arms and legs wrapped around and heaven help you if you let go too soon. It’s as if he gets that there will be a significant change and he is trying to work in all the one-on-one he can have before the floor drops out. The challenge of course is that I am large and generally uncomfortable. Sitting on the floor is not so bad, getting up from the floor can be another story. Holding him again, no so bad, carrying him around the house and trying to do anything, not so simple. For me it is funniest at bed time when I’m trying to read to him. We can barely fit together on the glider. I wonder if he can remember the days when mommy’s tummy didn’t stick out a foot and he had the luxury to relax during reading time instead of having to hold on for dear life. When he lays in my arms sideways; well let’s be honest, he’s in one arm and on top of my legs, it is still a nice moment, but it’s not quite as sweet when you have to take a deep breath to lift your kid and strategically maneuver yourself to place him (not drop him) into the crib without breaking the Zen like feeling he is in from the reading, singing, gliding, and quality mommy time.

His radar is up and working well. He knows something is up. I’ll take it as a complement he cares and is hoping to capture his mommy moments. Someday I’m sure I’ll be the one looking for my moments and wishing I could once again hold him across my lap, no matter how uncomfortable it is.

Do babies have baby radar? 2/6/2011

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