It’s become increasingly clear that The Boy is losing his vocabulary. To every question, statement, BREATH, I receive the same response. “No.” Occasionally it’s a very flat, matter-of-fact, “No.” Other times, it’s a squeel and a cry, “Noooo-waaaaaah!” Others, a screaming, full-out tantrum, throwing himself on the floor and rolling like an crocodile, “NOOOOOOOO-UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” While he may only use one word, the sentiment is made clear in his tone.
Our daily morning conversation goes something like this:
“Good morning, Boy!”
“No.”
“How did you sleep?”
“No.”
“May I have a kiss?”
“Nooooo-wah!”
“Are you ready to get up?”
“Nooooooooooooo-wah!”
“What would you like for breakfast?”
“NOOOOOOOO-UHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
“How about eggs?”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
“How about blueberry waffles and strawberries?”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOO-UHHHHHHHHHH!…..Saying yes.”
Yes, my son says, “Saying yes.” Lest we confuse his resounding NOOOOO-UHHHHH and subsequent crocodile roll and leg flailing with, I don’t know, a non-affirmative answer. How ridiculous would that be?
My child is either a genius faker or an extremely well humored child. So well humored, in fact, that he even laughs when he does stuff in his sleep. At about 4am, I was awakened by some very sweet, soft noises coming out of my little man’s mouth.
“Bapadaba ba.” It was barely audible but definitely babbling. I leaned in to listen more closely.
“BA!” He screamed, smacked my nose and shoved dream food into his mouth.
I jumped back and grabbed my nose.
Ben laughed, loudly, hysterically and then snored.
His eyes never opened, he never woke up.
This morning, I finally got Ben to repeat, “Mamamamama.” Everytime he did, I’d clap and hug him. He’d grin and repeat himself.
Later, I let him go a little too long before putting him down for his nap. He started crying the cry that makes me want to cuddle him for the rest of his life so nothing bad can ever happen. In the midst of this cry what came streaming out but, “Mamaaaaa! Mamaaaaa!” It was heart wrenching.
Eric said he didn’t know what he was saying. He may not have. My thought is that he knew saying it earlier made me grab him and hug him right away. He thought it might work again this time. Either way, if I get out of this whole mommyhood thing alive, without my heart being ripped in two, I’ll be really lucky.
Ben said mama! Well, rather, he screeched mama while in a raging fit but he said it nonetheless! Whether or not he meant it is a different story.
I’ve been trying for months to get “mama” into Ben’s vocab. He’s got dadadadada down (again, whether or not he means it is a whole other story, but it is his favorite sound), as well as “papapapapa” and “thhthththththtttttt”. For a month or so, my dad and grandma have gotten him to say it. They’d say, “say mama.” Ben would respond with, “mamamamamama.” But for me? I’ve spent hours repeating, “mama mama mama” to him and in response I get a giant grin. Like, “Yeah, I know you want me to say it, this is why I won’t.” He’s an obstinate child.
However, I think it may have gotten through to him just a little. Last weekend Eric’s friend was over, we were having yet another 4 hour long debate on politics. Eric was holding Ben and, while Ben was obviously enjoying being in the action, it became nursing time. As usual, mini-fusses turned into a full blown, “SOMEONE HELP ME! I’M DYING!” fit within seconds. I looked over at the screaming child and what does he do? Looks me straight in the face, opens his arms and yells, “MAMA!”
And that, my dears, was the coolest moment of my entire life.
