Deja Vu, All Over Again

For the past two weeks, Kenny has discovered the joy of saying a word and repeating it 368 times, as loud as he can.   In the car yesterday, our conversation went something like this:

“Papa.   papa.   papa… papa… papa… papa…” (multiply that by about 50.)

“Yes, Honey, I know you love your Papa.   He’s at his house in New York…We’re going to see him on Saturday…”

“Ryrun… ryrun…ryrun…ryrun…” (again, times 50)

 “Ryan’s at his house in Boston…”

“Duddee!   Dudee!   Dudee! (this one times 75)

“He’s in the back seat, sweetie.”

“Hep, hep, hep, hep, hep…”

“You like to help when we walk Dudley, don’t you?”

“Papa?”

“In New York.”

“Ryrun?”

“He’s in Boston…”

“PAPA!   PAPA!   PAPA!    PAPA…” (and on and on for five or six minutes with no pause)

There comes a time when I wonder, does he really want me to continue a conversation about the person he’s bringing up, or is he just delighting in repeating the name until his vocal chords falter?   Do I ignore him, or try to engage him?   Is he practicing his vowel sounds, or does he really want to hear more about it?

Ah, the mysteries of living with a one-year-old!

Not all of it is maddening or mysterious, though.   Kenny is absolutely the best hugger I could ever have imagined.   He will wrap those skinny arms around my neck so tight it’s like they’re glued in place, then lays his head on my shoulder and hum, “Maaaaaaaaaaaa….”   His hugging is not limited to his Mama, though.   I think his favorite hug target is poor Dudley.   Anytime that sleek grey ghost lays on the floor, or curls into a chair, Kenny pounces like a cougar and climbs on top of him, hugging and singing, “duddee!!!!”   Yesterday, Dudley stood up so gently that Kenny actually remained on his back for a moment; the Lone Ranger on his trusty steed.

Maybe I should get him a saddle for Christmas…