Baba

Although Sweet Pea very early on would make a "mama" sound, she didn't necessarily link it with me.  Now, she was very good early on at saying "Mom Mom," which is our name for her grandmother.  So clearly, language ability there, but not applied to me.  It was a little odd and funny, but didn't really hurt my feelings.  I'm sure she would someday say Mama or Mommy (and that I'd probably get sick of it when we reached the inevitable "Mom.  Mom.  Mommy.  Mommy.  Mommymommymommy!  Moooommmmmyyyy!" stage.

At one point, she suddenly did start calling me by name.   Baba.

We never used that word.  If asked to say "Mommy," she would say "Baba!" with delight.  We never used bottles (dang kid went straight to a cup which caused much frustration in the early months of my return to work) so it wasn't that.  I was just...Baba.

And it's been that way for months.  I again found it a little funny and odd.  And maybe here and there it tugged on my heartstrings as I wanted to hear "Mommy" eventually.

But then, Baba started to grow on me.

I like our little name.  It's unique.  I reminds me of the story of the Baba Yaga, a fantastic Eastern European tale that has some special significance for me.  I am content to be Baba.

So, this week, "Baba" started to become "Bah-bee."  And after only a day or so of that, I am "Mommy."

What I've wanted all along, and I'm a bit sad.

I'm glad I finally get to hear the beloved sound of "Moooooommmmmmy!"  I'm glad that her verbal skills are really taking off now and mimicking of sounds is becoming so simple for her.  I'm proud of her vocabulary and how well she is starting to speak.  I'm honored to be here, watching nearly every minute of her growing up in every way, including this one.

And yet, I'm tearful at the bittersweetness of losing this little phase of Babahood in my life.  This funny odd thing we shared is moving past us and we are onto yet more new horizons.

No matter where we journey to next, Sweet Pea, Baba always loves you.  :')