The boy who cried "ouch"

I should've seen it coming.

Months ago Miles discovered that the cat can eventually be driven to nipping. After crying big cat bite tears and getting lots of comfort, Miles started to pseudo pester the cat and then whip his hand away and look up at us with a supremely offended look. He scored a lot of laughs that way, but apparently that wasn't what he was striving for...

Anytime Miles gets hurt or is sad we love on him. Recently however, he seems to have been conniving ways for extra hugs and kisses.

It all started with a sort of squinting grimace look that Miles gives while holding his head. Fearing an ear infection, but hoping for something as benign as a teething induced headache, we actually took him to his doctor. Official diagnosis: possible teething pains. Unofficial diagnosis: probable toddler hypochondria.

Since that appointment last week Miles has taken his tactics further. He has learned that when he throws something straight up, it comes straight back down. Yesterday we played with a stuffed tomato in his bedroom this way. Each time it hit him his face crumpled and he came to me for a comfort hug. Over and over he did this.

Now his pains are even more hypothetical. He almost tripped near me this morning and, not sure where the potential pain would've been, held his nose and gave a pained pout lip grimace.

I guess we'll have to teach him about the boy who cried "wolf..."