He Knows Our Names.

"Mom."

H yells from his bedroom.

There is a pause and then...

"Mama."

It is bedtime. Or beyond bedtime. He's had his book, his prayer, his song. But can't let the night go without just one more request. We try to ignore the voice trying to grab our attention. J is in the living room with T and M, and I am putting E to bed.

"Samara..." H finally yells loud enough for everyone in a three block radius to hear.

That inevitable moment where your child figures out that you actually have a name and they decide to use it has happened.

I hear J walk down the hall to H's doorway.

"Your mom is putting E to bed. But it's Mama to you. You don't call Mama, Samara. You call her mom, do you understand?"

There is a moment of silence.

And then...

"Ok, Jeff."