“Mama!  Rora bites you!  No, baby!” Lorelei said with great worry as she came into the room, seeing me breastfeeding her baby sister.

“No, sweetie.  Rora isn’t biting mommy.  Mommy is just nursing and Rora is eating!”

(Pause with Lala still looking concerned.)  i realized quickly that I’d used the term ‘eating’ which sounds a lot like biting and chewing and knew I had to backtrack quickly.

“You see, mommy has baby milk in here,” I said, being sure to emphasize BABY lest she get any ideas and putting my hand over my breast.  “Rora nurses and drinks mommy’s milk when she’s hungry.”

Lala responds with a knowing look and i mentally hand myself a reward, proud that i explained to my toddler that the baby was not actually devouring and hurting mommy.  Until she (quickly) followed up with…

“Lala, milk!” She said, hands over her own chest.

“No honey.  Just mommy.  Just mommy has milk.” I began.

“Oh!” She said, clearly getting more excited.  “Lala [has] juice!!”  She exclaimed, pulling the neck of her pajamas back so she could peer down them.

“No, Lala….” I began, but stopped dead in my tracks when she replied with “Mommy, uh huh.  Yes.” And looked at me in that knowing way that told me this wouldn’t be a battle I could win.

Okay, kid.  I’m praying you forget this little “lesson” as you rub the sleep from your eyes today.  But, if you don’t, I have the duct tape ready to tape your shirt securely in place should you decide everyone needs to know about where juice comes from, or God forbid you get the idea to “share.”

OOPS.

Welcome back!