Doodle has been extra snuggly lately, constantly wanting to be close to me. He sits right next to me no matter what I’m doing. He sits on what’s left of my lap whenever I’m on the floor. He leans on me, he snuggles in close, he just wants to touch me, have that physical connection.
He’s also developed an insane case of separation anxiety. If I go out of sight whether to pee (for the thousandth time) or to put clothes in the dryer or to grab something from the kitchen, if he doesn’t see me, he freaks. Screams, loses all control and only regains himself when I return.
He’s also become insanely possessive. He has to try to wedge himself in between if one of the girls is close to me or at least get in on the snuggle. He will even lunge at me and scream “mine!” if he sees one of them coming close.
It’s as if he knows. As if he knows that his life is about to be turned upside down forever.
We’ve been talking about the baby for months. He will point to my tummy and say “baby” and when asked if he wants the baby to come out, he will nod “yes.” He lifts my shirt and kisses my belly, pokes at my belly button and puts his mouth up to it and says silly things (what I’m not sure, but it must be funny because he always laughs afterwards!)
We talk about the baby coming out, coming to live with us. We talk about all the things that he has gotten too big for that he can now share with the baby like the car seat, crib and bumbo chair (things that lived in his room way too long so he still associates as his). He’s felt the baby kick and laughs with delight.
So I know he kind of “gets it”. But I think he is starting to realize that it’s happening, and soon. I think he’s starting to realize that he is no longer my little baby (even though I still cradle him sometimes and tell him he is). I think that he knows changes are coming even if he has no idea to what extent.
We’ve never had a problem with sibling rivalry with our girls. They’ve never asked if we can give the baby back or acted inappropriately towards the baby. They’ve never showed trouble adjusting to a new baby.
But I think this mommy’s boy might give me a run for my money this time. I suspect his adjustment might not go as smoothly as we’ve experienced in the past and I just hope we’re all ready for whatever that means!
