It started at the wake-up time of 9:00am (Growth spurt, much? This kid puts away the z's like no other), I walk in to wake him up (hello, I have to run, kid!), and I'm greeted with a grin and a giant hug. We head out for a run, he plays in the garage (without one meltdown because he can't put on his tool belt "all by himself" or because he can't reach Daddy's drill (yes, it's allowed, yes, it's dangerous). I call, "Carter, come inside and wash your hands so we can eat breakfast"... of course expecting to have to go in the garage and deal with an emotional discussion, when a little voice chimes back, "Yes, Mommy, I'm coming!". He's back, indeed. A little taller and a much skinnier boy rendition of the toddler that left me for an entire week.
I have to put what my friend, Tracey commented on The Replacement (pay attention, moms of boys!):
"Welcome aboard to the "boy" cycle. :) Yep, they go thru cycles too! Zach--every 6-8 weeks or so his "twin" comes suddenly and snatches our loving, good, Zach away. I call it the "out of his skin" phase. Whiny, can't keep his hands to himself, all round stinker. My friend who is a child psychologist told me that boys do this. They go through growth spurts, they get "off balance" for a while, then readjust. You'd think I'd realize what they were everytime, but no...I am usually beside myself and pulling my hair out with him and then somewhere near the end of it (like a week or two) I finally go "OHHHH..."
Had to capture this work space he created--reminds me an awful lot of this, back in September: