We're going OUT

It's surprising how much babies understand. If you say 'We're going OUT' to the baby he is very interested. He likes going out and he understands this phrase perfectly. If you lead the way to the pram he will try to climb in, if you offer a jacket he will cooperate with putting it on. He will even sit happily in the pram and watch while you get your handbag, put on socks and shoes, find the keys, run back upstairs for something you've forgotten etc. All of this is acceptable because you're doing things he associates with being just about to go out.

But if you say the phrase and then start doing something that doesn't look like you are going out after all he gets mad. As far as he's concerned you've broken your promise and he makes his feelings felt. Going to get glasses of water, starting to tidy up etc is not acceptable. So you have to say it only when you really are just about to go out and then he's very happy.

Which makes it odd when you're planning things. He doesn't know that we are planning a weekend in Ireland. He doesn't even know we are planning to see his aunt tomorrow. I can't mention the going OUT because then he'll see we are not doing it right now and get mad. So he lives in a world with no tomorrows, not even a 'later', just right now this minute or perhaps five minutes away at the most. Life must be full of surprises.