Is imitation REALLY the highest form of flattery??

As I've mentioned in other posts, Owen has taken to mimicking me and repeating back things that I say and EXACTLY the way I say them. This kid must study me because his tone, facial expression and words are a mirror image of how I speak to him! Sometimes it's to my shame....other times its very funny! This weekend Owen was finishing up his dinner (supposed to be finishing up his dinner rather, he was being held captive in his high chair) and I walked past him and he said "Mama... I pick you up" and I said "What? You want to pick Mama up?" and he said it JUST how I do with arms held out, his head tilted down and very softly "Come 'ere, Come 'ere Mama, I pick you up". It was very very funny and it's one of those times that you wish you had a film crew in your house to document things that just randomly happen. Another funny imitation he did the other day was when a man from church was at my office talking to me and Owen was trying very hard to get his attention. Naturally since we were having a conversation, he was getting no recognition at all and his next comment made it very clear that he was irritated at this.... He said (with hand motions) "I just can't take it anymore!" hahahahahahahah, oh my it was very funny. I don't even realize that I say that, but I guess I do!


Sometimes the repeating and imitating can drive me nuts.... Exhibit A : Trying to ask Owen if he needs to go potty. The scene unfolds like this, I notice its been a while since we've made a trip to the 'potty-ma-jigger' (we can thank the Cat in the Hat for that. Adding 'ma-jigger' to the end of anything makes it seem more fun right?). 
Enter Mama : "Owen, do you have to go potty?"
Owen: "Do you have to go potty baby?" 
Mama: "Do you need to go potty?" 
Owen: "Do you have pee pee's baby?"
Mama: "Answer me Owen, yes or no?" 
Owen: "Say Yes or no" 
Mama: "No don't repeat me, answer the question" 
Owen: *blank stare that seems to say "I no longer understand English, you must be speaking the foreign language of potty, to which I, a 2 year old have no interest in learning"* Then the stare down begins.... and he will say "Uhhhh actually... you have peepee's - sure. Okay." 
And to the potty-ma-jigger we go!!!


(just for future reference, 'potty talk' will not be making appearances on this blog. I think it's disgusting when parents discuss their child's potty habits in public forum....no one wants to know. But this is not really ABOUT potty, and its funny... so... this is the exception to the rule right? Yes, it is because I am the author and rule maker of this blog. So let it be written, so let it be done!)


The times where he puts me to shame are if he repeats a word like gosh, or stupid, etc. that really makes me feel like the worst mother in the world, or when he lets out a big grunt of disgust/frustration like I do "rrrrrgggghhhh!" or when he yells at the cat... "Stop it Mara! Get outta here!" (I actually don't regret that one...if we're being honest). Reminds me to have this passage ever present in my mind: "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29) I've got little ears listening to me when I least expect it! 


Here's a video from play time today, you can check out some of Owen's incredible dance moves and also observe his incredible i-never-sit-still-for-more-than-8-seconds-hyper-activity:

Owen's favorite book of the week: Llama Llama Red Pajama