Hey Joe

I have done it...perfected the absolute best way to drive my husband insane. It's true. It took me twelve years of marriage, but I think I've finally come up with the one thing that might actually drive him around the bend. No, it's not my poor housekeeping skills. No, it's not killing off two of our kids in utero. No, it's not suggesting that we forget our bad luck and attempt to remodel our house. So...What is it, you ask? I know, I know, I know...the suspense is killing you.

The key to my husband's mental in/stability? Have Sam call Daddy, "Joe."

No, I'm not kidding. Here's the story...

Sam, of the whiny, "Moooommmmyyyyy" and "Daaaaadddddyyyy" fame, was trying to sort out the incredible nonsense of middle names last night. I mean, really...two names? Why? I will have to look that up.

So anyway...

Sam said, in his best mommy imitation voice (and while wagging his index finger in the general direction of his father), "Stephen Charles...you'd better..."

I interjected with, "No, YOU'RE Samuel Charles...he's Stephen Joseph."

Fast forward later into the night. "Daaadddyyyyy..."

Steve looks at him and says, in all seriousness, "Stop. Let's try something new. Let's try you starting sentences without calling me Daddy first in that whiney little voice of yourse."

I couldn't help it. I had to ask.

"So what SHOULD he call you?"

Hence...Joe was born. I guess you had to be there. We were reduced to a fit of giggles. Steve was not so amused.

As the night wore on, every time Sam would whine for Daddy, I would pop up and correct him by saying, "Joe." And Sam would politely oblige. After only a few times, Steve looked at me and said, "Would you STOP that?" hehehe

The thing is, whenever Sam says, "Joe," there isn't even a trace of a whine in his voice because he is so tickled with the whole idea. So I'm thinking Steve should just change his name to Joe. I won't have to listen to the whine...and Steve will go crazy. It's a win-win for me.