Say it, Say Chowdah

Lowell speaks a pretty f-ed up language. In it all nouns are a different inflection of a hard "d" sound. It uses the same word for yes and no. It uses volume to express subtle shades of mood. For instance disapproval, surprise, and delight are all expressed with a piercing shriek. Mumbled gutteral "g" babble sounds seem to indicate inner reflection and rumination. Today he held a peek-a-block in his hand and seemed to wax phlisophical for 20 minutes on the plight of the little plastic monkey inside and how it was a parable for all human existince (Gabble garble guh guh guh galble galble gur gur gah, etc). He seems to have forsaken all English now except for one word he is especially enamored of: "Da". For dada. When Matthew walks in the room it is shouted with mirth and glee. He mumbles it into his ear when held. He barks it on command when his father is pointed out. And he looks lovingly at the picture of Matthew in his little photo album, kisses the image and says "daaaaaa". And while this does warm the cockles to be sure, I must say I am getting a little impatient for a "mama". When I ask him if he can say "mama" he replies with the affirmative in his language (again, this is also the negative so I am going on faith here). I then coyly ask him to say it and he looks at me and says "Da!" I curse silently and then entreat him again to say "mama". "Da!" he shouts. This goes on for far longer than I will admit to you. He teases me mercilessly and never gives in. I know he can say "m" sounds because in Lowellese those sounds are used to express dissatisfaction and misery. When wrestled onto the changing pad "muh muh muuuuuh." When forced to be confined for more than two seconds in the pack and play' "muh muhhhh MUUUUH." But when sweetly kissed and held and fussed over by his doting mother? Nothing. It is maddening. I am sure there will be a point in the not too distant future when I will regret ever even teaching him the word but right now my heart aches to hear it. And obviously he cannot understand yet that once it is uttered he is SET. Your wish will be my command, kid.