No No Bo Bo

As Rowan has started to talk more a new nickname has emerged for his big brother. Zane is now, very lovingly, referred to as Bo Bo. I'm sure this was derived from a combination of brother, bubby, and/or bubba, with Ro Ro thrown in there somewhere. Don't get me wrong sometimes it still comes across as bubba, but usually it's bo bo. It's highly adorable, especially since Rowan screams it randomly all day long. The moment Zane is out of his sight I hear little Rowan "BO BO!!!!!" He wonders around rubbing his belly, yelling bo bo until he locates them, then he giggles so hard once he has found him. Zane loves this new found name and more importantly he loves that fact that his brother is starting to actually be able to communicate!! This from the boy that has asked me since the day we brought Rowan home, "can he talk yet?"

Rowan's new found ability to communicate is really the first time he has been able to express his love or desire to be with Zane. Which leads to the seconds cutest part of this whole thing. Frequently now, when I'm singing to Rowan at night, he starts to cry, "I wan Bo Bo, I wan Bo Bo" (Yes, he says I want all sorts of things now) And he points his little finger at the door. This goes on to the point where I have to call Zane into the room to give Rowan hugs, kisses, and sometimes even get into the chair with us for evening cuddles and songs together. Zane loves this, giving Rowan little pats, "it's ok Ro Ro," "it's time to go night night." These two cannot wait until they can share a room. Not yet.... soon. As cute as this sounds on paper it gets old quickly since I'm sure it's really less about loving his brother and more about putting off going to sleep. He has tried this in the middle of night recenetly, which obviously isn't happening, but to an irrational 18 month old this is unacceptable and requires a huge fit to be thrown.

This new nickname is not always used in a love fest. A lot of the time it is said in a very angry, eighteen month old voice, as in "No No Bo Bo" with a little finger wag in his direction. When Zane steals Rowan's toys, or takes his binki, or shoves him to the gound. My favorite use of the phrase though has to be when we are in the car and Rowan doesn't think Zane is paying enough attention to him. That's when he starts screaming "no no bo bo" or just "bo bo" over and over. Zane has started to just start screaming Ro Ro right back at him, then laughter insues and it's lots of fun. On our recent trip Ro, who was anti sleep on the drive home, tried to wake his brother up with this tactic, it didn't work, but still was amusing.

Watching the two of them together, trying to talk to each other, laughing, chasing after each other, and sometimes actually playing with each other is my greatest joy. I love it. It's the reason we had another kid. The times playing with my siblings are my fondest memories from childhood and frankly most of my favorite times now include them as well. They have such a great time together and I know they are only going to get closer and have more fun, sharing more things. I can rest easier at night knowing that they both will have a life long friend, there when things are fun and wonderful, but more importantly there when things get ugly. They will have each others backs when they get into school and be there when adulthood gets hard as well. For now I love hearing Rowan's little vocabulary develop, his random sounds that aren't quite words yet. I love that he wants to be with his brother and they are finally, FINALLY, starting to figure out how to entertain each other. Life's good and I love my little Ro Ro and his big Bo Bo!