Number one

Way in the past, maybe 18 months ago, Isaac always wanted Craig to give him his bath. I think this started to get old for Craig -- not that he didn't enjoy it, but it's nice to get a break now and then. One night when Isaac was particularly insistent that his father be the bath-giver, Craig raised both his fists in the air and crowed in mock victory, "Dad's number one!"

At this point in his development Isaac was copying us a lot, and he immediately threw his own arms in the air and said, "Dad number yun!"

We have continued to develop this theme over the years, and now it's a regular comedy routine in our house. I heard Isaac reciting a version of it tonight as he was falling asleep:

Dad's number one! Mama's number two. Isaac's number three.
[Pause]
Our new baby sister's number four. Walt's number five!
[Pause]
Walt begins with a wuh-wuh-wuh!

Not bad -- he's got counting, hierarchy, and letter sounds all in one.

- - - - -

Also about 18 months ago Isaac was going through a contrary phase, and we could easily manipulate his decision-making by suggesting he do the opposite of what we actually wanted. So if I didn't want to give him a bath, I would ask him in an innocent and enthusiastic tone, "Do you want Mama to give you a bath?"

Sure enough, he would cry out, "No! Dad!"

"Looks like Dad's number one," I would say.