Every little kid goes through the same phases. The “put-everything-in-my-mouth-stage” phase, even the slimy, old red [amazonify]B0002AR0I8::text::::KONG[/amazonify]the pugs just slobbered all over. The “it’s-the-end-of-the-world-cause-my-momma-left” phase. And the ever popular “pug-stomping” phase. And now, my 17 month old, darling son has just entered the “WHY” phase. Lord help us all.

It stared innocently enough. He snuck it in when loudly and confidently stating asking where his daycare teacher, Jo, had gone.

“Jo go?”

“Jo went ba-bye” I cheerfully responded.

”Why?” whispered Eli.

I pause. Did I really just hear that? It seems too early, he’s too young, there’s no way he is asking me that. I look at Eli, smile and assume that I misunderstood him.

A few hours go by and we repeat the same conversation.

“Jo go?”

“Jo went ba-bye” I cheerfully responded.

”Why?” says Eli, with a little more confidence this time.

There’s no way I can ignore it this time. Eli has definitely figured out “why” and is not afraid to to use it. Over the next couple of days he built up his confidence, bringing out his new found skill at every opportunity. Why did Jo go ba-bye? Why did she go home? Why does her family miss her? Why do puppies cry? Why is Dad-oo at the Y? And not only does he ask why, we have the exact same conversation over and over and over. It goes a little something like this.

“Momma!”
Yes Eli?

“Momma!”
Yes sweetheart?

“Momma?!?!?!”
Yes sweetpea?

“Jo go?”
Jo went home, honey

“WHY!?!?!?!?!?”
Because her family misses her

Repeat this exact conversation roughly 10-15 times and you’ll get the idea. And he doesn’t just ask why. Oh no, when Eli does something, he’s going to do it with every ounce in his body. WHY he bellows, with his head thrown up to the sky. You can just about see the exclamation points floating through the air. He’s such a smart and inquisitive little boy.

If this is just the beginning, oh man, I don’t know if I’ll survive the “why” phase.

[/caption] Every little kid goes through the same phases. The “put-everything-in-my-mouth-stage” phase, even the slimy, old red [amazonify]B0002AR0I8::text::::KONG[/amazonify]the pugs just slobbered all over. The “it's-the-end-of-the-world-cause-my-momma-left” phase. And the ever popular “pug-stomping” phase. And now, my 17 month old, darling son has just entered the “WHY” phase. Lord help " data-image="http://alli-n-son.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/IMG_7475.jpg" data-site="Alli 'n Sons">