Wednesday, August 13, 2008

My name is Mommy

Before I got pregnant, I dreamed of having a little baby who would grow to call me Mommy. There is something special about the name Mommy. It's lovely and gentle and I find comfort in the word. After Sophia was born, I worked endlessly trying to get her to say Mommy. She said Daddy first. Mommy didn't happen until many months later. It took Sophia so long to say Mommy that I actually suspected she could say it, but simply refused. She has been known to be a bit, um, stubborn.

Eventually, my wish came true and the name Mommy flowed from her lips like the song I knew it would be. Then she learned how to scream and yell. MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY MOMMY could be heard from 6 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. every. single. day.

Every morning on the way to daycare, Sophia and I have this exact conversation until I get fed up and just turn up the radio.

Sophia: Mommy!

Me: What?

S: Mommy!

M: What?

S: Mommy!

M: Sophie

S: Mommy!

M: Sophie

S: Mommy!

M: What?

S: Mommy!

M: Can I help you?

S: Mommy!

M: Mommy disappeared.

Like all good things, though, there is an end. When I picked up Sophia from daycare yesterday she called me MOM for the very first time. She said it like she was testing it, gauging my reaction and trying to figure out if she should use it again.

I go potty, Mom.

I watch TV, Mom.

I want to eat, Mom.

Mom.

Mom!

MOM!

By bedtime last night, I was officially Mom no matter how many times I told her my name was Mommy. When she woke this morning, I was still Mom.

I don't really like Mom. I prefer Mommy. I always knew she would start calling me Mom someday, but I figured I'd get at least a few years out of Mommy before she got too cool for it.

Sigh. It seems I've gotten 25 months out of Mommy with Sophia.

15 comments:

Laural Out Loud said...

My daughter had decided to try out mother! I much prefer mommy, and mom is a close second, compared to mother. People look at me so oddly when we're out in public!

Anonymous said...

I loathe being called Mother! haha Autumn calls me Mama. Hey Mama! maMA! As she gets older, I love that she still calls me mama, but sometimes, sigh, she over uses it and I have to tune her out! haha

I'm back!

Anonymous said...

My kids still waiver between Mom and Mommy. I enjoy the surprise of what I'm going to hear the next time they address me. You never know, she may go back to Mommy again.

Anonymous said...

She may go back... I find with mine they waver between Mommy, Mama, and Mom depending on the situation, time of day, mood.... I hear ya though Mommy and Mama are way better than Mom from your little tot!

Marla said...

most days i wish my name was anything but mom...i think i hear it about 100 times a day and rarely does it come with the 3 words i like best... i love you... mom

Allison R said...

At least she's calling you mom and not by your first name. that's a fun stage.

McMommy said...

Take it from me and be grateful that it's not

"Mommy Poopie!

Just kidding."

My oldest son says that to test me. DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!

Carol said...

My eldest said mum first and that slowly turned into mummy. Which thankfully we are still on.

They sound so old when they use the shortened version.

Kristy said...

Oh I feel you! My daughter is currently at that stage of yelling Mommy with no back up response! Mine switch from mommy and mama. (Although my 4 year old has figured out our "real" names and thinks it's funny when she calls us by them!)

Jenny said...

can't wait to hear the words Mommy out of Will's mouth. but you are right it is usually daddy.
at least she is calling you mom and not by your first name.

Danielle (Life with the Hewitt Family) said...

My son calls me Mommy, Mama, and Mom. He switches depending on his mood. It think that is pretty funny. He uses Mom when he is acting so much older than the 3 years old that he is. I had the same feelings as you about it, because Mom just sounds like it is coming from a teenager with attitude, but I am getting used to it.

Tyne said...

Isn't that so true? it is like a weird emotional roller coaster. You want nothing more than to be called "mommy," then you wish they only knew how to say, "daddy," and then you wish they would just talk to you. Talk about identity crisis.

Anti-Supermom said...

Oldest calls me Mama - which drives me batty. I'd way rather be Mommy or Mom or 'that cute lady' :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, your post brings back memories of when my oldest first called me mom too! A heartbreaking moment for me, I'll say! My littlest one calls me mama which is very cute as I was always a very English sounding mummy with my other two. Great post!

mom2natnkatncj said...

Not to make you jealous or anything, but my 9 year old and 6 year old do still call me mommy. I honestly have just been happy to call me anything though. My SIL hates being called Mama. My six year old sometimes will still call me that and I could care less. I never understood how my SIL could hate it so much. Now if they start calling me by my first name then I'll worry. My six year old used to call my husband Joe when she was around 18 months old. I got the biggest kick out of that. Him, not so much ;).