Dooce today cracked me up and reminded me of a recent exchange in my own house.

Jeremy: [while patting chest] Livia, who am I?

Livia: Da-dee.

Me: Who am I? [while thumping on my own chest]

Livia: Nana.

Me: [dejected but determined] No… Who am I? What’s my name?

Livia: Da-dee.

Me: [definitely dejected] No, no, no! I’m MAMA!! [thumping away furiously, thinking of all the diaper changes and bottle feedings completed with intense love and devotion]

The next morning…

Livia: [in crib, greeting me by patting her own chest] Mama. Mama. Mama.

Me: Close enough.

**Note: this child has been saying “Mama” for over a year now and definitely knows that I am her mother. Perhaps that’s why our little conversation drove me a little crazy.