Things are amiss around here.... In the last 8 months, we have rarely taken Dumpling to the restaurant. She is a much better eater now, and she eats lunch at school everyday without a fuss, but restaurants were always the last frontier. She simply couldn't behave in a restaurant. I can handle a fussy but eating child, or a calm, non-eating child, but in public, a tantrumy 4 year old who doesn't eat just doesn't fly with me. So except for the Disney trip, during which restaurants were mandatory, we have avoided restaurants meals with Dumpling. We do regularly go with BB, on nights when Dumpling is being spoiled by her grandparents.
Last night, however, was the first night that BB was going to have her own turn at dinner with the Grands at their house, so after her gym class, Hubs and I took Dumpling to a local Italian bistro that does spectacular pasta and is totally casual and no-fuss. It was great. She was a tad high-strung, but we had discussed for many days how we expected her to either be "nice" or eat nicely. The first thing that went well was the waiter, who hadn't been there on previous visits with BB, so he was smitten with her and brought her a special mango/peach Italian juice on the house. She batted her eyelashes at him and that set everything off on the right note! He even offered to make her a half-portion, something that has never been offered to BB (though truth be told, BB can handle the whole plate!) There was only minimal coaxing during the meal, and she was rewarded with a brownie as dessert. We made a huge deal about how much we enjoyed ourselves, how fantastic it was to go to the restaurant and not argue and we asked her if she enjoyed eating out when Mommy and Daddy were so happy and relaxed, which of course, she did.
On the flip side of this little moment of bliss, BB hasn't been sleeping at the country house. At first, I thought it was a fluke, a one time thing. But it's been 3 weeks, and it's exhausting. This past weekend, she was up so late on the 2nd night (in the past, it's been a one night thing, making her so tired that the 2nd night was a non-issue) that we had to keep her from going skiing on Sunday because she was hell-on-wheels the minute she woke up from her way-too-short night. And this week, she's been acting weird. She was UBER excited for her first all-by-myself date at her grandparents' house, but today, she didn't want to go to school, then when Hubs coxed her to go, she didn't want to take off her gym clothes to reveal her beach outfit (it was Beach Party day), apparently threw fits whenever the teacher tried to leave the room and finally made a big fuss about doing her "talking class" when the speech therapist showed up this afternoon, an activity she usually loves.
So I am thrilled that Dumpling is making fabulous progress, because being able to go to a restaurant would go a LONG way in making me feel less house-bound, but I am not too thrilled about the reversal of fortune that has hit BB..... let's hope is a short phase.
Back and forth, back and forth... Speaking of, my own baby was up for 2 hours again last night. But "nothing is permanent", remember? :o) Hey, at least, they are taking turns!
I can totally imagine that waiter going head over heels for Dumpling though: I'm sure he was a goner the minute you walked in. Congratulations, dinning out in peace is BIG!
Posted by: Nat | February 21, 2008 at 06:39 AM
She may some where in her mind think she is having to try out a new family away from you. She may be just a bit confused and just needs to see the routine continue as always. Just keep reassuring her. Of course my mom has 4 bio kids (I am number 3) and it seems she can't get all 4 of us on the same good page. When one family is well the other three are in disasters and vice versa! So it could be just the curse I mean blessing of course of two kids/two personalities.
Beverly
Posted by: beverly | February 21, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Haven't you heard that children can only be cooperative one at a time - keeps parents on their toes!lol But seriously, happy to hear you had a nice relaxed meal with Dumpling and I hope that BB gets back into her regular sleep schedule. It's amazing how exhausted you can be when you don't get a good night's sleep a few nights in a row isn't it!
Julie
Posted by: Julie | February 21, 2008 at 04:59 PM
BB and Shoop would make a good pair right now. Maybe we could airlift them into Afghanistan for the weekend and they'd clean the place out.
Posted by: Jo | February 22, 2008 at 09:20 AM