On Sunday night, we went to Rakuzen, the Japanese restaurant in Hartamas Shopping Center for dinner.  After hearing rave reviews about it, we just had to give it a go.  The previous weekend when we tried to go without a booking but it was fully booked out.  That only made us more determind to go the following weekend.

So when we got there bright and early on Sunday evening, they escorted us to a little room with two tables.  It was comfortable with plenty of space of the pram.  While we were flipping through the menu, Gavin started to fuss.  Thinking he was restless, my SIL and I took him to the rest room.

After a short walk through the Japanese sundry shop just next door, we came back into the restaurant.  No sooner was he back in the restaurant when he started to howl.  Hubby asked, “Do you think he’s hungry?”

I took my bag and we went out.  Strangely, Gavin stopped crying almost immediately after we left the restaurant.  I tried to feed him but he didn’t seem interested.  After a bit more walking we tried to return to the restaurant.  Again, Gavin howled as we were walking through the corridors to our room.  Hubby turned around and took him back out.

Thinking I would try something, I told the hubby to pass Gavin to me.  I psyched him up by speaking in a lively tone of voice, saying, “Let’s do something fun, fun, fun!  Gavin want to do something fun, fun, fun?  Yes, I bet you do!”  I continued the light hearted banter and walked through the restaurant corridors back to our room.  Gavin remained calm.

Since my food had arrived, I passed Gavin to the hubby and handed over his toy to keep him entertained.  It was barely a minute or two before he started whimpering again.  Hubby decided we would take turns.  Since his food had not arrived, he left the restaurant while I gulped down my dinner - a bento box of unagi and salmon sashimi - in record time.

Outside, Gavin was calm again.  Hubby and my MIL think that there was some naughty spirit disturbing our son in the restaurant which was why he was unhappy in there.  As for me, I don’t believe in ghosts or spirits so I’m more inclined to think that he just didn’t agree with the smells or something along those lines.  I think we can help the baby to adapt by the way we handle him.

For instance, I knew that Gavin didn’t like being in the restaurant so I tried to create a mood that was light, airy and fun.  I’ve tried this several times before - especially before I put him into the car seat and it usually works.  I don’t know if it’s just coincidence, but I do think the way we react to things has a strong influence on how Gavin responds in return.  At his current age, he can be distracted.  Distraction is a great method for managing his moods and fussiness until we can work out what is upsetting him and correct it.

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