The Dreaded Word

Yes, it has finally made it into our household. The one word I have been sure NEVER to say in Isis' presence. The word every two year old can't wait to learn and use and master. M-I-N-E.

I have no idea where she picked it up. It wasn't from this household. We don't use words like that. She must have picked up this street lingo from one of her little potty mouth toddler friends who come from a household that uses words like mine and no as if they're everyday language.

I've dreaded it so much that I've made a point to speak only in first person to her. Mommy is drinking from Mommy's cup. This is mommy's car. Mommy is sitting in Mommy's seat. Then one day Chris suggested that perhaps we should teach her the correct way to use pronouns and now look where we are. "Miiiiiiiiy horsey. Miiiiiiiiy dollhouse. Miiiiiiiiiine."

When Isis was first learning to speak she overheard me shout the s-word. I banged my elbow and it just slipped. And from the living room I heard a tiny echo. "Oh shhhh Oh shhhh."
She was listening to me. She is always listening to me. Even when I am not talking to her, she is tuned in.

"Miiiiiiiiiy baby..." She says it tauntingly, drawing it out for three or four syllables. She says it in a very sweet voice, yet mockingly. Sometimes she even smirks. It is her baby. She owns it. Apparently she owns everything.

She has done so well with sharing thus far in life. I have fears she will now do well with collecting everything that is miiiiiiine and leave her playdates sitting toyless.