I'm sure that Gabriel and I are not alone in likening our children to little critters. Our kids actually have very specific animal names associated with each one: Jonah is "The Bird," a name brought on by his habit of flapping his "wings" in frustration. In his very early nursing days, he even "pecked" around for his meal, bobbing his dark head, like a little chicken.
Despite Manny's nickname being "Manny Moo," we actually call him "The Pig." We realize, of course, that that name sounds like emotional abuse, and that we can't call him that outside of our four walls. But our pink little baby, with curly hair, looked like the cutest of little piglets, and the name has stuck. Jonah has even attached a variety of adjectives to the nickname, "Baseball Pig" and "Party Pig" being among them.
Iohan, once called "General Critter," because we couldn't pinpoint "his" animal, is now "The Honey Badger." The African honey badger, according to the boys' favorite PBS nature program, is one of the fiercest animals anywhere -- he can kill snakes! -- and is a compact ball of strength. Lucky for us, our honey badger has a very cuddly side, but "tough" describes a significant portion of Iohan's personality.
Out and about this winter, though, the names didn't quite apply (though Jonah was still a species of bird). Cousin Hana knits hats, and Gabriel's aunt and uncle sent them up for Christmas. The boys were only too happy to don their separate hats, and to soak up the attention that came from belonging to this troupe of animals. Two owls and a fox, on the prowl.
