Friday, October 10, 2008

What's Up with This "Mom" Thing?

Four years ago, I had a baby. We started planning for him -- some call it 'trying' but I didn't feel it necessary to give you that visual -- a month after we got married. I read all the books (useless), stabbed myself with insulin shots (diabetes) and did everything in my power to be the best mommy, well before he even entered the world.

I remember the minute he first rolled over. I recall it especially because I was actually out for more than an hour or two for the first time since he had been born. I called from my BFF and future sister-in-law's bachelorette party to hear he was rolling back and forth. I still feel sick when I think of how I missed it. I was there for the first words, the first steps, and cried like a baby the first time he stepped into a preschool class without me. I am his mommy and he is my baby boy.

Jacob in his swimming goggles -- just hanging around the house -- with a self-made cat face.

Then, one day recently, I heard this: "Hey, Mom... blah blah blah blah." Real words came out of his mouth and not actual 'blah blahs' but I didn't hear them. I was too fixated on that one word. MOM.

MOM?

Uh, when did I become MOM and not Mommy?

Is he so old that the days of 'mommy' are gone? Are we really at this point already? I'm not ready -- he's my baby boy. He still needs help wiping his butt and cutting his meat. Yeah, that's it... I'll make a deal with him. When he can do those things on his own, I will answer to Mom.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh no! I so dread that day! I get mad when my husband will read a book that says "Mom" or "Dad" and not change it do "Mommy" and "Daddy"! I feel your pain. I agree...make that deal but keep adding things so he'll call you Mommy as long as he can! ;)

Ramona said...

I know exactly how you feel. The first time I heard 'Mom', I was pretty devastated. But know what? Only Mommy can wipe a tear or kiss a booboo knee.

lorabelle said...

I'm laughing so hard right now because I was cutting Adam's meat up for him up until he was about 12! I wish that I would have thought of that!!!
Lora

Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family said...

awww I can't even imagine gettin to that day when Noah is that big! :( I love the deal idea! GREAT!!! :) Celeste still calls me Mommy so I have not had this experience.

big hugs girl
miss you
Tami
Noah's Mama
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

momwithfaithandhope said...

Such a sweet post. We'll be cutting meat for a long time, but I do hope we can stop wiping butts soon! You should feel lucky! Peyton's been calling me "Mom" for a long time! Well, he calls me Mommy too, but I honestly don't remember when he started with Mom. . .hmmmm??? Tiff

Room for More said...

uh oh, this is a bit early : )

I always corrected them when they said "Mom". I said, "Didn't you mean Mommy?" It never really worked though! Let us know how the 'deal' works out.

Shannon