Not the Mama

Eli isn't much into talking. He still prefers to whine and scream and growl over more conventional forms of communication. He has, however, mastered "Dada". He says it with confidence and knows exactly what it means. He knows who Dada is and the right times to say it. Feeling a mite jealous, I have been coaxing him to say Mama for weeks now. Still everytime Eli responds with the same ol' "Dada!" I was starting to think maybe he was just a bit slow, conversationally speaking, but yesterday, I caught on to his little game.

Me: Lying on the couch.
Eli: Standing, holding onto the other end of the couch. Doesn't know I am paying attention.
Me: Paying Attention
Eli: "Mama, Mama, Mama"
Me: Perks up. Listens.
Eli: Cruises toward me. "Mama, Mama, Mama"
Me: Picks him up, smiles big. "Did you say Mama?? I heard it! You said Mama! Yea! You said Mama!"
Eli: Grins. "Dada!"

Sigh.