Making Lemons out of Lemonade

Bine turned nine months this week. The most striking recent development is her realization that she can fake situations to get attention. Or at least one particular situation thus far. After her arm got stuck in the side of the high chair a couple of times requiring rescue, our very clever little monster quickly filed this away and put it to good use.

"You're making salad and not talking to me? Ooops! My arm is stuck and I need help. Help, Help!"

"I'm out of bites of chicken? Shoot, there goes my arm again. Assistance!"

"I'm tired and crabby and don't know what to do with myself? Wouldn't you know it with the arm..."

Here's a video of the last scenario (times three) for your viewing pleasure. I laugh every time I watch. Man, JA and I are really in for it.



I was talking to my friend Anna about this today. I mentioned how surprised I was that Bine had already figured out how to be manipulative and deviant. Anna then told me that her ten-month old son Benji laughs at certain people, in a vicious way, and that it is embarrassing. I didn't buy it. "It's true!" said Anna's sister, Helen, "I didn't believe it either until I saw him." Apparently if some of the stranger (read: mentally challenged and/or physically, uh, distinct) Utilians pass them on the street Benji utters a very particular "heh heh heh" out of the side of his mouth and then won't make eye contact. Anna has no idea how to handle that one.