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When Jack was 13 months old he started to walk.   That very week, he weaned himself and took his first steps literally, figuratively, and in every other way, towards his father.  Its not clear mommy even got a backwards glance.

For months, Jack showed a clear preference for his father.  Having read extensively on child development, I knew these phases were a natural part of growing up and I worked to keep a stiff upper lip.  Even when, while widely saying "Dada" he refused to also learn "Mama", opting instead to perfect words such as "Apple, Border and Turtle".   Months, turned into years and the reign of Daddy held firm.   I understood the appeal; my husband is Fun Fun Fun to a toddler, and has boundless charismatic energy, an upbeat tempo and is full of the active rough-housing that toddlers and puppies love.   I couldn't even play the old battered "nurturing" card because my husband doesn't hesitate to sweep our delighted son off his feet in cuddles and kisses and giggles.   All I had was the "practical" card, as in "Jack sure is lucky he has a mommy that brushes his teeth, otherwise they'd fall out!" or "Jack sure is lucky he has a mommy who takes him to the doctor to get shots so that he doesn't get Malaria!"   You can see, the situation was hopeless. 

When I discovered I was pregnant with our second child, I told my husband, "maybe this one will be a girl and she will worship ME like Jack worships YOU"!  I also thought, "well at least Jack being so attached to his father will make it easier for me to have a newborn around- as long as Brian doesn't attempt to hold the baby, I'm not sure Jack will care".    Naturally, we later discovered the baby was another Boy, but I thought; "well at least I will be the favorite for the first year again.  That's something."

Jack, sensing his parents had a plan, immediately changed course, and in the last couple of weeks has become a Mommy love bug.  After two long years of waiting, finally Jack is all, "I want my Mommy" and "Where is my Mama?"  Just in time for Mommy to become temporarily unavailable with a newborn.  Though, I have to admit, despite it throwing a wrench in the plan, it's awfully sweet to have him back.