before i forget

This morning, when the cat came in for breakfast, Jonah said, “Bambino, Good Morning.” Although it did sound more like “Beeeano! Goo-morrrnengh.”

* * *

Today, in the car, Jonah and I counted to ten, taking turns. I did the odds. He shouted the evens. A few times we got stuck at “Eight,” “Nine,” “Eight.” And then one time I just counted to ten and then he said, “Eleven.”

* * *

Tonight my friend Jenny (Auntie Jenny to Jonah) stopped by, right at 6:30, just as Scott and I were changing the guard in the bedtime routine, post books and potty, pre songs and crib. We allowed Jonah a moment out in the dining room to greet our visitor.

“Art” he said, pointing to the shelf where stands a picture I drew for him weeks ago, and the ensuing additions of a bracelet and a flower — both made for me by him at Habitot.

As I’m rocking him to sleep, he says, “Jenny. Good night.”

After he goes down, Jenny reminds me that the last time she was over, he had been pointing to the drawing and saying something that sounded like “yearrrgh,” and we had been trying to figure out what he meant, decided it was his word for art (which is what I’d told him my drawing was — what? I can’t be optimistic about my talent?).

A little while later, it dawns on me. It’s entirely possible Jonah was REFERENCING that previous conversation. Like: Hi Jenny, so nice to see you. Remember how the last time you were here, we were discussing Art?