Bug Talk

When Bug was a baby, he was affectionately given this curious nickname. And as he grows, I wonder: does this name fit him or is he fitting the name?

As a baby, and only a mother would say this with love, Bug.....well.... he looked like a bug. Not just your average, bug in the yard. He looked like Bug in the movie A Bug's Life. The movie character was animated and cute. Our Bug was animated and cute.

As Bug grew, he lost that "Bug" look; but of course, the name remained.

When Bug began to talk, saying "mom...mom.....mom....mom...." all day long; Bug once again fit. As that pesky mosquito in your ear, he never seemed to stop.

Bug also began to move. Not cute toddler steps, he would be late in accomplishing those. But he crawled. Not your typical hands and knees....more of a......well.... a Bug crawl.

And so he crawled. Into things. On top of things. Under things. Rarely a straight path. Quickly, like scurrying bugs.

Time passed. Bug grew. And as he has grown, how often I have said silently, "yes, Bug is a perfect name for you my child."

Recently Bug has began to take on a new appearance, a new character. After all, he's 4. A big boy. A preschooler. I try to refrain from using "Bug", working hard on teaching him his proper name.

Until today. For an hour (honestly, not a second less), we played, "guess this sound". Haven't played? Oh you must!

"Mom, what makes this sound"? "MOOOOOO". Mom, "a cow." "Good job mom".

"Mom, what makes this sound"? "WOOHOOWOOHOO." Mom, "an ambulance." With a roll of the eyes and a bit of disgust, "No Mom, a police."

"Mom, what makes this sound?" "WOHOWOHO." Mom, "a police." The eyes roll again and the frustration builds, "NO Mom, an ambulance."

(I finally got it right after 5 tries!)

And so the game goes. He does dinosaurs, horses, cats, firetrucks(not to be confused with an ambulance or the police-big no no) and then....

"Mom. What makes this sound? ROOOOAAAARRRR." Mom, feeling this game is dragging out a bit long, "A lion." Bug, "NOOOOOOOOO, a puma." Guess I missed that episode of Go Diego Go.

And this is quickly followed by the tiger, the lion, the jaguar, the monster. Mom makes lots of mistakes, and her guesses become; in Bugs mind, completely ridiculous.

I suggest a new game, mommy watches Bug ride his bike. And he agrees!

As he rides, he begins again, "Mom, what makes this sound?"

"Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom."

Thats easy, "Bug!", I exclaim, excited with my response.

A sheepish grin.

"Yes mom, good job."

Whether he fits his name or his name fits him. He'll always be my Bug.