They’re growing up.

My babies, that is. This morning as I was getting ready to take them to the library for story time, they followed me into the bathroom and each picked up a tissue. This is not something out of the ordinary; however, this morning, they each carried a stuffed animal (Omi had a baby Elmo doll and Mac had a baby cookie monster – both of which are referred to as “Emmo.”). After Omi got her tissue and wiped her nose (like she does every morning whether her nose needs wiping or not), she put the tissue up to “Emmo’s” nose and coughed loudly. As any mother would, I got down on the floor and hugged her tightly and clapped for her. Why the big reaction, some of you might be wondering? Well, according to the literature I’ve read on toddler development, pretend play is a big milestone that usually manifests around two years of age. But it’s not just any milestone, it’s a major one. It shows that the babies are beginning to think outside of themselves. Hence, my excitement this morning. Today, pretend play; tomorrow, properly using utensils!

And of course, after seeing Omi get all this attention, Mac grabbed his tissue and copied Omi’s actions…except as he coughed loudly, he held the tissue at “Emmo’s” eyes instead of the mouth. But as he looked up at me through those long lashes and big brown eyes, eagerly awaiting my praise, I grabbed him and hugged him and “Emmo” so tightly that all our noses needed wiping by the time I was finished.

One final question: when do we have to stop calling them babies?

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