Out of the Mouth of the Babe

AC only says one word, but it's kind of an all-purpose word. "Mama" started out as "amamamama" and usually indicated hunger.  Our delight has encouraged her to state it more distinctly, though without any discernible or consistent referent. We prefer to think that it has multiple meanings rather than that it means nothing at all.  It's especially heartwarming when I come into her room after her nap and she reaches up and says, "Mama."  Or "Ma." Or even "mamama." 

Sam is, of course, trying to get her to say "Dada."  He holds her, facing him, her forehead pressing toward his, and he says, "Say, 'dada.'"  She looks at him earnestly and says cheerily in her little baby voice, "Mama."

But the real insult came today, when we realized that she had learned to recognize (not quite to say) the word "kitty."  Holly strolled sleekly into the room, and when I said, "Yes, it's your kitty!" as I always do, Allison Clare looked over at Holly and bounced joyfully.  Later, when Holly walked out of the room, I said, "Where's your kitty?" and AC twisted around to look toward where Holly had gone.  However, when Sam is sitting in the same room and I say, "Where's daddy?," Allison Clare just continues to study the drawstring on my sweatshirt.  

Poor dada.