Come, Mommy

I’d forgotten how delightful 18-month-olds can be. Kieran at 18 months is a delightful combination of baby and little boy. One moment he’s clinging to Mommy, and the next he’s attempting to cross the street by himself. While we never know from moment to moment whether we’re dealing with a baby or a little boy, things are always interesting around the Menagerie House.

I was brushing my teeth the other morning while listening to a conversation in the bedroom:

Kevin: “Kiri, come tackle Daddy!”

I heard running feet, the giggling of little boys, and then:

Liam: “Daddy, I think Kieran has a present for you in his diaper.”

Kevin: “Kiri? Do you need a new diaper?”

Kieran: “No!”

I continued on, trying to decide whether Kiri is more like a baby or a little boy these days, and thinking how handy it was that Kevin was still home and could handle the diaper change. Slowly, still sleepy at 6:00 A.M.. I realized what Kieran had said. So did Kevin…

Kevin: “What did you say? Oooh, I see you have that word now!”

Later that day, I asked Kieran about lunch.

Me: “Kieran, how about a sandwich for lunch?”

Kieran: “No!”

That afternoon, I heard this interaction between the boys:

Liam: “Kieran, do you want the red crayon or the blue one?”

Kieran: “No!”

Liam: “How about a marker?”

Kieran: “No!”

Kieran stood up, mumbling “No!” to himself.

Liam just wanted to play with Kieran, but Kieran was clearly intent on exploring his new linguistic skill. Liam gave it one more try:

Liam: “Kiri? What does the cow say?”

Kieran: “No!”

Liam: “Mommy? Why is Kieran saying ‘No!’ even when that’s not what I’m talking about?”

Me: “Well, I guess he does that because it’s fun and just because he can finally say ‘No!’ “

That was when I remembered the word I had been looking for that morning. Kieran isn’t always a baby, yet he’s not a little boy, and he will say “No!” at the drop of a hat. Aha!

Ladies and Gentlemen, hold on to your hats for the wild ride just ahead. Kieran has entered a new phase. He has become a Toddler. With a capital “T”.

Welcome to Toddlerhood, Kiri. It’s fun time you are entering, complete with ups and downs and lots of excitement. But please? Remember to be gentle with your parents - and your brother!