"Not Mommy"

Kimmie is very attached to Mommy. She will sometimes say she is Grandpa's girl, or Daddy's girl -- but she loves Mommy and usually wants to be near her.

A little sign language: the sign for 'mommy' is an open flat hand, touch thumb to chin. The sign for 'not' a closed hand, thumb out, touch the thumb under the chin. Kimmie's shorthand sign combines these two into a single gesture; the "not Mommy" sign.

If Mom leaves in the evening or on the weekend, Kimmie is usually playing somewhere. She will hear the door close, and deduce instantly that Mommy has left the house.

She will turn to me and emphatically sign "not Mommy". Meaning that "you are not Mommy, and I am upset that she is not here RIGHT NOW." Usually this is accompanied by Kimmie yelling at us in annoyance. Now, she often calms down and goes back to playing when I tell her that Mommy has gone out for an errand and will be home soon.

A few years ago, she would get upset and sob, sometimes until Mommy came back home. I was a little surprised, since we could leave her about anywhere -- church, school, Grandma and Grandpa's house -- without much drama. But when she is home, she wants Mommy to be nearby.

I think Mommy feels the same way about Kimmie, too.

-- Dad (Not Mommy)