MOMMY!!!

Up until a few weeks ago, Amanda's vast vocabulary was about six words. I was a little bit worried when I went to her 18 month check-up, but the doctor said not to worry at all until she's two, and since I have enough things to worry and think about I took his advice and am putting that one on the back burner for now. I should have written this post back then, because she does have a few more words now, but it has been crazy busy around here (what else is new?!?) so let's just pretend you're reading this a week or two late.

Anyway, her words include Mommy, yes, no, uh-oh, yum, and up. There may be others but I'm having a hard time remembering what they are. The two main words she uses are Mommy and no, and then she just nods and shakes her head and yells at me a lot. Think I'm kidding? Ask my parents, they were here with the kids all weekend (I'll tell you why soon, but not here). At first I was happy that my daughter chose Mommy as one of her first words, but then I realized that it wasn't a sign of affection. In fact, I'm not positive she knows what it means.

I know that sounds funny. It's not that she doesn't know who I am. If you ask her who Mommy is, she points to me. If you ask her who Daddy is, she points to Charlie. However, she uses Mommy to refer to both of us. When it's time for bed she'll cry for Mommy. I'll pick her up, she'll continue to cry, and then reach for Charlie while saying Mommy. Huh? She says Mommy all day long. When she's happy, sad, confused, upset, in general dislike of whatever is going on.

I'm not really sure how to take this. I'm sure she's heard the older kids say it so many times she knows it's an important word, but she sure doesn't seem to be using it in the right context. To her, Mommy means that lady who gave birth to me AND any situation where she doesn't feel in control or feels wronged, which is a major part of her day.

Fast forward a week or two and now she can say Daddy. She uses it sparingly, but when she doesn't she uses it correctly. She still says Mommy a lot, occasionally still when she's referring to Charlie. I'd like to think that it's because Mommy is a sign of comfort to her, but I think it's really just another indicator that she's got it out for me and is going to be a challenge for months and years to come.