An important concept in any society is that of possession. Indeed, we could hardly function without this cornerstone theory which governs much of our behavior toward others. Were it not for this key concept, for instance, I would personally be driving a Ferrari 575 Maranello and living in far larger digs.
Julia has discovered the concept of possession. One could say she’s obsessed with possession if it weren’t such a silly linguistic construct. But it’s true. We noticed it about a week ago. I got her out of her crib and changed her into her daytime clothes which included socks, or bas in French. So, she’s playing with her bas and calling them bas which I’m steadfastly agreeing to, then she says “a bébé”. And I looked at her, blinked, and said “yes, those are your socks.” This pleased her little baby brain.
So, now Papa is getting ready for work and pulls out his socks and begins putting them on. Julia saunters over and taps them and says “un bas a Papa.” Not perfect French but there’s no denying her meaning. She’s since begun announcing ownership of everything in sight and is surprisingly astute at it. She’ll see my book sitting on the stairs and point at it and say “a Papa”, or she’ll see one of Cat’s shirts being folded and chime in with “a Mama.” In fact, I don’t think I’ve heard her get one wrong. It’s rather wonderful.
Of course, I eagerly await the day when every object in the universe is essentially “a bébé.” It’s coming. I feel it.
graphix Says:March 3rd, 2005 at 10:28 pm
Although Aiden is unable to verbalize the possession concept yet (as Julia can), it’s clear that his infant brain is also headed in the “I own everything in the visible light spectrum” direction. Unfortunately, the materials reflecting light rays into his baby frustum are typically classified as “big brother possessions” by Ian. This sets off an interesting sibling physics simulation involving real-time collision detection by the parental engine.
ColdForged Says:March 4th, 2005 at 8:06 am
I truly don’t know how parents of two survive that particular challenge. I’ve seen Javahead’s boys fight over the right to play with — I shit you not — a colander and marveled at the craziness of sibling rivalry
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The Grandparents Says:March 9th, 2005 at 7:34 pm
And the grandparents can just sit back, watch, and chuckle!!! At least now we can — once we’re living nearby and MIGHT be called upon to take action, it’ll be a whole ‘nother story. But then again, our Julia is soooo perfect, that day will never come!