Thanks for the reassurance everyone - I really felt like I was losing it. I do think it is a bit of a problem though as it isn't an isolated incident. L is such a bright, funny, happy child most of the time and has good concentration levels for jigsaws, reading etc but he just gets these flashes of - I don't know, my Mum says he gets the devil in him which is a terrible phrase but it sums it up quite well. It doesn't seem to be anger or frustration, just this desire to do something he thinks or knows will get a reaction or just not what he is supposed to do. Biting, poking eyes, pinching and so on. Mainly towards me but sometimes DH or DMum. Always out of the blue, during an otherwise nice time.
He's very strong-willed and nappy changes, car seats etc are also a constant battle so I just feel worn down. I said to him, you do know we are on the same side, you don't have to fight me all the time?
Anyway I think the two things to do are rewarding good behaviour and limiting opportunity for bad behaviour. I've got a reward chart and we have started doing stickers for nappy changes. Only 2 so far but it's a start.
Chicken and chorizo stew sounds delish by the way Grace. I vote for a lemony pud.
YW my sister's baby (now 12mo) slept like that from very early on. My DSis found it hard at baby groups to know what to say to all the other tired Mums. Her DD has started waking up at night recently and my sister finds it so hard after being used to her sleeping all night. But even now she sleeps till 9am so she doesn't have it bad. I am glad for you that Lil is such a good sleeper. Enjoy it 