Fun and Games

I’m coming to the conclusion that Baby D’s teething symptoms are in fact a cunning Baby ploy to get me to take him out on an excursion. Each morning, after a bit of a rock and roll on the floor, he gets grouchy, rubs his gums a lot and starts to chew on anything within reach until I say, “Ah, are your teeth at you? Sure we’ll go out for a walk.” As soon as he’s in the buggy he settles back, teeth all forgotten and turns the charm knob up to eleven as he starts to play his favourite game of “how many people I can make smile at me.”
Today we’ve just spent an hour waiting in the doctor’s surgery, which would normally leave me chewing my nails down to my knuckles with frustration, but as far as Baby D was concerned it was the most fun way to spend the morning we’ve had in a while and his enthusiasm couldn’t help but rub off on me.
Here’s what we did: I read the Irish Times while Baby D smiled at the person behind me. Then we both walked around looking at the leaflets, Baby D keeping an eye on the door welcoming everyone in with a squeal and wave of the arms. After that it was time to play a game of horsey on my knee with a game of “Boo!” with the lady behind us thrown in for good measure (she was engrossed in her phone and didn’t realise she was participating in a game but it didn’t matter), and by the time we’d tired of that it was our turn to be seen!
I’m still not sure of the social convention when the little guy smiles at a random stranger until eventually they cave in, smile back and say “Hello!” Do I answer on his behalf (over eager) or ignore them until I’m addressed directly myself (standoffish). It’s tricky.
In the last week I’ve had this dilemma with winos on the Luas, barristers crossing the road outside the Four Courts, and an old lady in Marks and Sparks. “I have 5 children,” she told me as we sipped our teas. “It’s such a steep learning curve with your first. The second is much easier.” She was a little forgetful and repeated herself a bit, but even though her eldest was 55 years old, she still remembered how difficult the first year was. I'm not surprised, as I don't think I'll ever forget all the challenges Baby D has thrown my way either; but all the smiles and games balance it out. You just have to make sure to remember them as well.