First words

Yesterday Jojo said her first word. It was a moment that we've been anticipating for months. Most moms track their baby's progress and growth with "What to Expect" or "Baby's First Year" or some other baby book, like I do. Therefore, I knew that the 6-9 month range is the average age for babies to say their first words, and the minute Jojo turned six months old I started waiting.

I also started the prep work. I said "Mama, mama, mama" any chance I got. "Hi, Mama!" when we woke up in the morning. "Breakfast, Mama!" when it was time to eat. "I love you, Mama," "Let's go, Mama," "Want to play, Mama?" I put Mama at the end of every sentence. I even starting calling Jojo Mama. My brother's fiance is a speech therapist and works with children. She told me that the "mmm" sound is bilabial, meaning you need to press your two lips together to make the sound. In order to help her little patients make the connection, she presses her finger to their lips while saying "mmm." So I did that too. Mmmmmm. She also suggested substituting "Mama" in place of the words to our favorite songs. "Twinkle, Twinkle" became Mama, Mama. Same with "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." It was a Mama fest.

Jojo was making all sorts of sounds. Mostly screams (Alex calls her pterodactyl because she sounds like a miniature dinosaur). She loves to yell at the top of her lungs, testing to see how loud she can go. Sometimes she sounds like Tarzan. It's all happy screaming though. When I'm on the phone, people think I'm at a party or a crowded store. But it's only my 14 pound diva in training. For awhile she was stuck on "Ba," repeating it over and over. But no Mama. That's ok. I pressed on. Alex got in on it too and it was Mama Mama Mama all day long.

And then yesterday. It happened. After all those months of waiting. My parents were over and we were all sitting in the living room. Jojo was waving bye-bye, a fun little skill she had picked up only last week, and making her usual Tarzan calls. Then, out of nowhere. "Dada." Silence in the room. Did she just...? Wait, was that...? Then again, "Dada. Dadadadadada." I repeated it, just to make sure: "Jojo, Dada?" She responded, "Dada." Her very first word.

She spent the rest of the day having fun with her new vocabulary. Waving hi and yelling "Dada." I double-checked this morning. Maybe it was just a fluke. "Jojo, Dada?" Yes Mommy, "DADA. DADADADADADA."

I can't complain. "What to Expect" told me that a baby's first word is usually Dada. So did all my friends with kids. I was warned. Which is why I seldom even spoke the word Dada. She couldn't learn it if she didn't hear it, right? Evil Jess. God heard my plan and was not amused.

Oh but it's wonderful to hear her talk, even if it's not what I hoped for. How long was she waiting to say that? To open her perfect little mouth and finally be able to say what she'd been thinking. Months? Days? My brand-new little girl. Saying hi to her Dada.

Mama will come next...right?

And so we begin

Ok so I have this blog....now what? I know some people who use their blogs as their own personal diary, opening their lives up for all to read for the sheer release of it. That's really not me. But I also don't want to use this as, say, my online recipe book or as a running commentary on what I think about American Idol (which I love by the way, J.Lo has officially won me over). So I guess it'll be something in the middle--you won't hear about my latest appointment to the gyno but I'll also try not to bore you with my latest coupon find. Or maybe I will. I'm so indecisive.

Actually, let's talk about my indecisiveness. Last week I took my daughter Jordana (or Jojo as we like to call her, she's only eight months old and still needs to grow into Jordana) to the doctor because I was sure she had an ear infection. However, the doctor reassured us that her ear-pulling and headshaking (like she was telling me, "NO mommy") was just a symptom of teething. Fine. Fast-forward one week, to yesterday, and in addition to the shaking and pulling thing she also has a monster cold. Oh and her sleeping. Wait, what sleep? Right, nooooo sleep. SO I called the doctor again last night and explained to the receptionist that even though we were just there a week ago, and even though the doctor gave us a clean bill of health, I think Jojo has an ear infection, can we get an appointment? Kind receptionist lady scheduled us for 10:30 (this morning) and I'm looking forward to finally getting this off my mind.

But last night the doubt crept in again. First, Alex: there's no way it's an ear infection, the doctor would have seen it last week. Then, Jojo herself: acting all feisty and happy. Not the way an allegedly sick little girl should act. But still, the ear pulling, the lack of sleep, the stuffy nose! And yet...

This morning, bright and early at 9:00 a.m., I called kind receptionist lady and cancelled my appointment. Ohhh but silly me, by 10:00 I had called back and rescheduled....because it could be an INFECTION BY GOD.

Now, I know this isn't normal. Isn't that the first step to recovery? Recognition. Oh and I recognize-- this is not normal. I mean, when Alex and I go to a restaurant I have to order exactly what he orders, even though I don't want it, because when his food arrives, it'll look way better than mine and I'll regret what I ordered. This type of indecision is fine when it comes to food, even...cute, perhaps? Ok, no, it's just annoying, but when it comes to Jojo, well, then it's just downright bad. Our kids rely on us mothers to know what the right thing to do is. To make plans and get them done. To make choices and stick by them. Wishy-washy doesn't fly in mommyhood. If I can't act as advocate/decision -maker for my eight month old, then who will?

Well, there's a silver-lining to this little anecdote. I took her to the doctor and guess what? Yup, she has an ear infection. (That's not the silver-lining. I feel awful she's sick,  poor baby). No, the moral to this story is trust your instinct. I had a gut feeling and followed it, even though it took me awhile to get there. So from now on I'm going to try not to second-guess myself, especially when it comes to Jojo. She needs
a strong woman in her corner, not a scared little girl. Plus, I got to say "I told you so" to Alex. Maybe THAT'S the silver lining. hehe.