NO, I'm the Momma
Rex has a few words now. "Bye-bye", not at every departure, but sometimes. "Uh-oh:" his first words. And "momma." Before you say "awww" here's the rub. He says "momma" to me, to Dolly our babysitter/nanny/my wife, to Mark, and a little to Vivien. I get it. Saying "momma" is easier than "caregiver" or "bigger person upon whm my very survival depends on in this moment." Really, maybe when he is 16 months, but not at 13 months.
If I had had this issue when Vivien was little it would have cracked me. I probably would have stopped working, dialed back Dolly's hours and been real snitty if Mark took any parental control.
Oh wait. I did do that.
In Viv's first year I didn't work. I had a less help, and I did grab Vivien out of Mark's hand sometimes in a "I can do it" way.
So, that's why when Rex says "momma" to someone else I resist pulling down my pants and showing him my c-section scar and my droopy boobs. I take a breath know this is the trade off of getting to walk out the door and make some money or go out to dinner with a friend. And for him bonding with his dad.
"Da-da, da-da:" That's me in the morning pointing to Mark. So far, it's not working.
Oh, you're so funny.
"Drop the pants and show him the C-section." Thank God for additional children…mellows us the heck out.
He is adorable….just adorable..
My little guy says "da-da" to everything and everyone. It irks me most when people say, "awww, he knows the word for his daddy", and I quickly reply, "nope - he uses that word for everyone". Wouldn't want them to think that he knows the word for daddy and not his mommy!
It's similar in our house. My son is 17 months old and I know the kid can say and understand "dada". He used it in correct context for a couple months before starting with "momma". Now… mommy AND daddy is "momma". He even called grandpa "papa" tonight. Yet still didn't say "dada" to daddy.
I think he's just screwing with him at this point.
I only have one baby so far. And I think I would be "mad" if he called everyone mamma.
I loved hearing about your babies using arbitrary names. It's really very funny.
And it will help to prepare me if Paolo's first words are not mamma and/or if he says pappa first.