How to manipulate your Mother in three easy steps . . .

Ever since the baby arrived things have been changing around here. Quite a lot actually. I used to say jump and they would jump. I really really miss those days.

I used to sleep in my Mummy's bed. Every night. But since Luke has arrived after I fall asleep she puts me in my own bed! I'm not sure but I am beginning to suspect that Luke is sleeping in Mummy's bed. He is not in his cot in the morning, or at the various times of the night that I wake up. I have been waking up at different times to make sure. Whether it is 11.30, 1 am, 3 am or 5 am he is never in the cot.

So anyway when I wake up and find that she has moved me, yet again, obviously it is necessary to climb out of my bed and go and climb in with Mummy and Luke. Because I have woken up I need to have a drink as well, it's just the way things are.

Initially I used to cry and say "I need a bot (that would be a lovely bottle of milk). Now I'm not an unreasonable child, I do realize she is tired and not keen, so am usually not surprised when she says no. However I have found that by keeping a continuous grizzle she will usually go and get me one (if I make enough noise I can actually wake the baby, but that is a whole different story).

This lasted for about a week. Until she got sick of it and started saying no.

Bad luck for me.

On the first night she said no I cried and cried and cried, all to no avail. Then I said (in the midst on my tears) 'I'd love a bot', and she laughed and went and got me one at about 3 am.

Hooray, good luck for me.

I thought I was on to a winner, once again when I said jump, there was jumping.

Hooray more good luck for me.

But last night she didn't go and get me a bottle. I cried and cried and cried. I tried (and successfully) woke Luke. I said 'I'd love a bot'. Nothing happened.

When I realised that this was not working I had to come up with a new plan. I am toilet training at the moment. That is going well, no nappies on the daytime, only at night time. What I have found is that when I have been waking up in the middle of the night if I need to go wees she will get up and take my nappy off me and take me to the toilet.

So last night when she would not get me a bot I came up with a great plan.

I climbed out of the bed and lay down on the edge of the bed. I undid my nappy and said that I need help with my nappy (I didn't really, nor did I need to go wees - but don't tell Mummy). She was very obliging and got up out of bed and did my nappy up again.

Then I said 'now your up go to the kitchen and get me a bot ta'.

Good luck for me she did!

I'm just wondering how long that will last, we shall see.

Today is raining and raining. We have put the tent up in the lounge and all my toys and cushions are in, all good fun.