Do I do that???

There's nothing like a 2 year old to inspire a little self reflection. I remember when Tessa was two - always had to have her sunglasses and chapstick - just like mommy. Oddly, both had the same name in her language "gaki".

Anyway, anyone that has kids knows that they imitate you in unintentional ways. You're the person they're around the most, the person they learn from. It's logical that they'd pick up your mannerisms, habits, etc. But it's still a bit unnerving to look at a child, knowing that the majority of they're actions are patterned after yours, and wonder "do I do that???"

When Joey was a toddler he was obsessed with telephones. We all thought it was hysterical, but looking back of course he was obsessed with phones! He had two teenage sisters in the house! He also used to shake hit pointer finger at people (as if reprimending them) and say "a roonta, roonta, roonta" (we still no clue what that one means!) No one ever could figure out where he learned to shake his finger at people - none of us did that! At least, that we could recall...

Asher is right in the middle of the mimic stage. And since he's with me all day long, it's mostly my isiosyncracies that he's picking up on and mimicing, though he has some built-in characteristics from each of us.

Here are his mommy-isms:

• When we get somewhere in the car he sits right up and says "oh-kay!" - that is so me.
• When we are looking for something lost (usually a dump truck or a binki) he suveys the room and says "hmmmm" - again, so me!
• When he sees something he thinks is cool he says "awesome ______, mommy!" - everything is awesome "awesome firetruck, mommy!" "awesome tractor, mommy!" etc. I had no idea I said awesome on such a frequent basis, but once he brought it my attention I'm starting to realize that I sound a bit like Keanu Reeves - totally awesome.
• He "loves" everything. And the fact that he loves it should be reason enough for him to have it. He'll ask for the same song to be repeated 15 times in a row in the car - each time saying "mommy, lovey song!!!" When he wants fruit snacks, crackers, jerky, etc. the reason is always "LOVEY!!!"
  I am notorious for loving everything. I love this song, I love brownies, I love that TV show...
• He sleeps on his side, like I do, and he has a special blanky (or two) that he can't be without. Sadly, I still sleep with a blanky.

Tessa-isms:

• When he doesn't want to eat something he covers his mouth with his hands. JUST like Tessa. grrr.
• When something does't go his way he says "AWWWWWW!" - just like Tessa
• At home, when Tessa is at school, he speaks in a normal voice. But when she is around he suddenly has only two volumes, and just like Tessa they are LOUD and REALLY LOUD. After school headaches abound.
• When he sees you he says "oh, hi ____!" Just like Tessa. It's the "oh" that is exactly the same. This sweet little sound like they are so happy to see you, even though most of the time you've just been in the other room "oh, hi mommy!"

Daddy-isms

• Just like daddy, Asher can't stand to have his pant legs or shirt sleeves at a different place on his legs or arms. He has some sweats with elastic at the bottom, he's always coming to me, demanding that I pull one leg down. LOL
• He crouches like daddy - looks like a little frog with his knees all pulled up on either side of his chest - exactly like I remember Matt crouching before his warm up jump on Special Teams during football games at Alta.
• He runs like his daddy - super fast with legs pumping and torso tilted forward. My mom says about every third step he doesn't even touch the ground. That's Matt!

Of course, our Ash is entirely his own person, but it's so fun to see the traits he has and the mannerisms he's picked up from the rest of us!