Where’s Spot?

Lilian has always been amazing, but I feel like this past week or so she’s been extra delightful. She’s started using her words, to great effect. The dog is “dada,” food in all of its many tasty varieties is “mama,” and her favorite thing to say is “nanananano.” AKA no. But, yaknow, cuter.

Sometimes, she throws in a little finger wag for good measure.

Why does she say nanano and then wag her finger? Because that’s what we do when we warn her not to do something. Why do we do that? Because we knew that she would start copying us someday. And nannananano is waaaaay cuter than stomping your feet and yelling “NO!”

(Thinking ahead, I occasionally does it.)

She’s finally starting to get into books. If you sit on the floor near her, she’ll grab a book and back slowly into you as if to say “My butt goes here! On your lap! Now make with the reading, woman!” Her favorite book these days is Where’s Spot? She’s very into lift-the-flap books. Coincidentally, this particular lift-the-flap book gives her an excuse to wag her finger and go “nanananano.”

That silly Spot. He’s never under the stairs.

(Never.)

My Mom was at a book reading at Porter Square Books some time before Christmas and realized that, hey, they make a Spot Plushie. As in, a little tiny Spot for her to love, and hug, and hide under the stairs.

Who’s under the stairs now? It’s Spot. It’s always Spot.

(Always!)

We’ve been having a lot of fun hiding Spot for her. Well,  I should say, “hiding” Spot. Because, mostly we go “Look Lilian, loooooooooook!” and then make exaggerated hiding motions as we point repeatedly at Spot as we “hide” him on top of the refrigerator. And then we say “Where’s Spot, Lilian? Where’s Spot?”

He’s on top of the fridge Mom. On top of the fridge! OMG, It’s like you weren’t even paying attention when you put him up there while wagging your finger at him.”

In other words, Spot is kind of a big deal around here.

The only problem? He is quickly becoming a precious object. Why is this a problem? That whole “Yay! Let’s hide Spot!” thing.

“Where’s Spot, Lilian? Where’s Spot?”

“I hid him in the trashcan!”

Perhaps we need to teach her about appropriate hiding places.

Or invest in a couple of replacement Spots.