Three stories about love

I mentioned last week that Isaac had been claiming not to love me. I'm happy to announce that he's changed his mind. Last night when I was giving him some Mama Love before bed, I asked him if he loved me.

"A little," he said. He held up his hand and indicated a finger. "As much as my pinky."

Hey, at least I'm back in the game.

Actually, besides saying he doesn't love me, he doesn't act any differently. It's not like he hits me or pushes me away. In fact, last night he was giving me what he described as "wide hugs" and showering me with kisses. After a few moments of obvious consideration, he gave a few kisses to the top of Laurel's head, too -- completely unprompted by me. It was very sweet.

- - - - -

As I also mentioned last week, Isaac has been asking us if we love him. He asks ten or 20 times a day, but by now it's like a game with ritualized responses -- more like he's reciting lines from a book than expressing genuine concern.

Here's how one of the scripted exchanges goes:

Isaac says, "Do you love me?" I say yes.

Isaac says, "So much?" I say yes.

Isaac says, "Can you hardly believe it?" I say yes.

I'm glad he was paying attention all those times I said, "I love you so much I can hardly believe it!"

- - - - -

But clearly some amount of genuine concern remains. Craig told me this story, which took place this morning when he was sitting in the big armchair in Laurel's room, snuggling with the two kids. (I was sleeping. Thanks, honey!)

Isaac asked, as usual, "Do you love me?" Craig said he did.

Then Isaac asked, for the first time, "Do you love Laurel?" Craig said he did.

And finally Isaac asked, putting it all together, "Do you love Laurel more than you love Isaac?"

At least we don't have to wonder what he's thinking!