Conversations with Connor

It's funny, when your child is a baby you just long for the day when he begins to learn words and communicate verbally. But then it seems to come back to haunt you when that same child talks incessantly about anything, everything, and nothing. Yes, my sweet Connor is a talker. When the mood strikes, he just doesn't know how to stop. To me, to strangers, to his friends, to his toys, you name it. More than once a day it seems I ask (OK, demand) that he take a break from talking because Mommy needs some quiet time. Unfortunately (or maybe inevitably) that leads to even more talking.

Admittedly there are many moments of hilarity around here with Connor's verbal expressions. The other day I was rushing Connor out of the car and urged him to hurry several times. I kept telling him over and over, "Hurry, Connor, come on!" Finally he said in his most exasperated voice, "Arrrr, OK! You're so frustrating!"

He has also recently become the language police in our household. Don't dare utter the expressions "Oh my God," "Oh my Lord," "Oh my Gosh," or especially the word "stupid" because he will admonish you strongly by declaring, "Don't say that! That makes God very sad."

The other day Connor noticed as I was nursing Kaitlynn. He asked what I was doing and I said I was feeding the baby. He was very interested since he usually sees her eating from a bottle. The following day, Connor had his usual breakfast of cereal and orange juice. He then went over to check on Kaitlynn who was lying on the couch. The next thing I knew, Connor had lifted up his shirt and was leaning over Kaitlynn while pushing his belly towards her face. I asked him what he was doing and he replied, "I'm feeding Kaitlynn some orange juice." I was very confused until I remembered that he had seen me nursing her. So I suppose he figured he would "nurse" her with some orange juice from his breakfast.

Another time, Connor was watching his favorite Wiggles DVD. At the end of the movie, they show the credits with images of all the Wiggles characters and dancers. I was busy putting away the laundry while Connor watched the movie, but at some point I heard him saying something so I came back to see what was up. He was intently watching the screen while saying, "Hottie." Pause. "Hottie." Pause. "Hottie." etc. I looked up and saw that he was watching the images of the pretty Wiggles dancers flashing on the screen during the credits. Apparently he thinks they are all hotties. Like father like son I guess.

Lately he has been very insistent when trying to get Mom or Dad's attention. He will call us over and over (and over) until we answer. It goes something like this: "Mom. Mom. Mom? Mommy? Moooom! Mooooom? Mommy! Mama! Mom! Mom??!!!!!" Until I reach my breaking point and yell, "WHAT???!!" And this happens all day long, every time he wants my attention. Which is often. So the other day I got so frustrated with him saying "Mom" that I told him not to use that word anymore. "Don't say Mom anymore!" I said out of frustration. He thought for a minute about that and then said with some uncertainty... "Lauri?"

Now how could I NOT laugh about that?