Twists and Turns

I've been getting such wonderful surprises lately. For the past week, instead of having my heart and throat bruised each time I call home from work, it seems Woog is bent on proving he is Mommy's sweetest little boy after all.


Yes, Yaya says, disbelief apparent in her voice, he is upstairs ready to take his siesta. Yes, he has put away his clothes and taken a bath. Yes, he has finished his lunch. And five chocolate-coated cookies besides.


All this before the clock has even struck two.

Hello, Mom! Woog suddenly chimes into the receiver. I tell him I love him and I miss him, not wanting to start nagging and destroy this perfectly wonderful series of days.


I wuv you too, Mom! He exclaims, and launches into a description of the latest Battle B-daman model to hit the market, not without a hint of avarice in his high piping voice. I let his enthusiasm wash over me for a couple of moments more before asking him how class went and what Lao Shr has taught him today.


Maybe it's the new school, with its central rubber-floor indoor playground and air-conditioning, not to mention the Chinese half of the curriculum that may have inspired my older son to make this sudden a turn-around. Lao Shr is his Chinese teacher, an affable young man who hails straight from the People's Republic and is himself struggling to perfect his English.


Lau Shr has taught Woog how to say Wo Ay Ni, and Woog is pronouncing it to me now, very carefully trying to get the accent right. I throw the phrase back at him, insanely proud of how hard he is trying to please me.


When I wake up, I'll eat more cookies, okay, Mom?


Okay, Woog. I wuv you!


I wuv you too, Mom.

Before we ring off I ask to speak with Eli, and suddenly Woog is shouting in the background


Talk to Eli! Special delivery!


even before I finish the sentence.


Then the baby is on the line with his signature Mmmmm?


How are, 'pet? I ask him. Have you eaten?


Mmmmm.


Are you watching tv?


Mmmmm.


Where's my kich?


*smooch*


Where's my hug?


'Ug!


At this point he suddenly remembers he misses his mother, and demands Up!


But I can't carry you, 'pet, I'm at the office.


Up! He insists more vehemently.


I'll carry you when I get home later, ok?


And then Yaya's voice is there, telling me my toddler has just, all of a sudden, handed her the phone. Seeing as how I couldn't lift him up right that very moment (you useless Mommy, you), he has lost all interest in conversation, such as it is.


I sigh and ring off.


Oh well, I think to myself, its not like I can have everything all at once. But what I do have is beyond wonderful, and I am absurdly blessed.