It has begun

I did not expect it to happen this fast. First of all, there is a "For Sale" sign in our yard. That happened pretty fast, although there's no listing on our house yet--they're waiting until we have it properly cleaned and staged before doing that. Our living room is full of boxes and we're in the process of cleaning and packing away knick-knacks, photos, and clutter. Our kitchen (when not covered in dishes or being used to keep cleaning supplies handy) looks like an appliance store. A WHITE appliance store. We probably need to add some color there.

But none of this is what I mean when I say I did not expect it to happen this fast. What I'm referring to is my son's behavior. "Extreme clinginess" is probably the best way to describe it. My husband and I can't both be working unless he's asleep or being occupied by a third party, because after a few minutes of playing with something (ooh, these clothes hangers are new!) he comes running up to one of us with his arms in the air in a clear "Pick Me Up" gesture. If we don't, he starts to fuss, and then cry, and then throws a total fit. It's the way he acts while we make dinner but to the nth degree, and all day long.

I suppose if I'd thought about it, I should've seen this coming. After all, we've changed the landscape of his world with all the boxes, and by taking so many of the decorations down. (According to my husband, the look on his face when he first saw that the dragon figures were gone from the bookshelves was pretty tragic.) Even though the process of trying to move is only just beginning, he doesn't understand what's going on so this is a big transition for him. "Mommy and Daddy are doing something major, Mommy and Daddy don't have as much time for me--something is wrong." He's probably also picking up on our stress (which is compounded by an illness in the family--when it rains, it pours.)

All in all, his behavior is just further impetus to getting the house cleaned up and staged quickly. Once that happens, his life (apart from stress he'll pick up from us) will settle back down to normal again. Until it becomes time to actually move, and then I suppose I can expect him to be twenty times worse. Banshee Baby (or perhaps I should start calling him Banshee Boy) will probably make numerous appearances. Poor little guy.  We'll just have to be extra generous with hugs and kisses!