Atul's first year at day care was a nightmare. He was sick all the time, and I am not exaggerating when I say that we visited the doctor's office every other week.  He detested the doctor's place and would cling on to me the second we parked our car. You can read about how handful he used to be here. Well, that was two years back and at that time I remember the doctor telling that this would change when he turns three and that he would be the nicest patient ever. I took her words with a grain of salt then. Yesterday, we had to take him to the doctor, as he developed temperature. Nothing major, but serious enough to get him checked up. So when the doctor came in,  the little patient took charge and complained , "I am not feeling well today. I am sick". The doctor started chatting with him, explaining step by step what she was doing and why she was doing what she was doing. He was apprehensive but somehow I could tell that he had developed some trust in her and was slowly getting comfortable with the drill. She then told him that he is sick but not terribly sick and that he was not going to get any shots. I could almost sense Atul saying, "Phew!". Gradually, the conversation moved on to things like school and eating vegetables. When he knew the visit was coming to an end, he asked matter-of-fact, "can I have a lollipop now?", to which the doctor joyfully obliged.  It was as though Atul had found a new best friend!