lost in bumplation

A little while ago, I mentioned that Bumper sometimes points at different pictures and people and yells "daddy" (much to my chagrin).

Jack Bauer and guy-with-rod-in-head, are a couple of prime examples. Add the shifty-looking, bad smelling guy on the subway last week, that gangsta-wanna be in the mall, and barrista at Starbucks to that list.

I have finally figured out that she calls all men, daddy, and all women, mommy. So regardless of who you are, you are mommy or daddy. As long as you aren't a BABY!

We will be working on man and woman labels today.

Another addition to the new language of Bumperiese is her words for "thank you".

OMG, we are working so hard on the manners.

Please (peas!) was easily adopted but we are having more trouble with thank yous. Usually she just ignores my repetition or requests of "please say thank you B".

I try to set the best example, usually to the point where I sound like a lunatic in public by thanking everyone for everything.

For a few days she made up her own word for thanks: "bam bam" but it was used inconsistently.

Lately she has used "tico" a bit more consistently (and the correct first letter!) but still, that's a Spanish-speaking squirrel name (or Bon Jovi drummer).

Though I'm pretty sure she is saying it because of the squirrel.

So I figure we will arrive on something closer to the actual word soon.

I just need to find the patience to keep up the good example.

Motherbumper! Don't you always set a stellar example for your precious daughter?

Let's be serious. As much as I'd like to be the most polite person on the planet, big city living gives even the nicest of folks (like I used to be) a hard edge.

Regardless of my cynical attitude, setting a good example is the best way, right?

If not, I figure tico - I mean thank you - will morph into Kazoo because doesn't that seem like the natural progression?