Naming names

[caption id="attachment_5201" align="alignright" width="225"] Not Sweetie or Honey or Peanut--Lotta.[/caption]

My name is Lotta

Lotta is committed to being called Lotta and NOT "honey", "sweetie", "peanut", or even "Charlotte" or "Lotta Joy".  Just Lotta.  She insists upon it if anyone should happen to slip up at any moment.  The exact opposite of Ellie who was so completely NOT committed to ANY of the names she chose for herself over the years.

Everyday Lotta becomes more and more interested in playing pretend with her doll and stuffed animal friends.  Inevitably, the play becomes about the mother calling the baby "Wheat Pea" (Sweet Pea to you and me) and the baby protesting that this is NOT in fact his/her name.  Which means she often has to switch from the mother to the baby to have all the right people say all the right things.

[caption id="attachment_5182" align="alignleft" width="225"] Lotta at the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago[/caption]

I'm not gonna play that game

Lotta has started asking, "How are you today?"  And when I say, "Great and how are you?"  Lotta responds, "I am not gonna play that game."  Which leaves me feeling as if I'm already living with a teenager AND highly confused.

I KNOW!

As many of you know, when Ellie was given a compliment, she would often respond, "I know!" completely agreeing with the compliment giver and embracing the beauty of her dress or her intelligence or kindness.  Last night, Lotta painted for me.  When she presented her gift, I proclaimed how beautiful it was and how I just loved the colors.  Suddenly, Lotta said, "I KNOW!"  in the exact same tone of voice of Ellie.  I love the confidence and the total willingness to see her own strengths.