Pulpito

We are turning our guest room into a playroom, mostly to attempt to reclaim the living room from the onslaught of primary colors.

During a cleaning (read : mucking out) episode, I unearthed this toy:

This was the first baby toy Jett was ever attached to. My assistant Miguel named it "Pulpito" ("Pulpo" = "Octopus" and "ito" = "little") Though technically speaking it should be called "Pentapus" as it only has five legs. Never mind.

So I pulled Pulpito out of a box of baby things - a box that has been hidden in that guest room since Jett was about a year old. Jett's eyes LIT UP! He crooned "Peeee-to! Peeee-to!!!" and gave it the tenderest of hugs and kisses. He took it to bed that night, and many nights since. Jett still can't stop stealing glances at it sitting on his dresser. Glances which anyone else reserves for a particularly attractive member of the opposite sex whom you're sure will disappear from view without warning. He gets a sly smile and often goes to grab one of its feet. "Peeto." he says. "Peeto."

All is well with the world.

How did he remember this toy? When he played with Pulpito, he wasn't really talking, and never, ever, did Jett actually say its name (though Chris and I sure did). Did he really internalize Pulpito so thoroughly that he can remember its name, a name unsaid, well over a year and a half later?

It makes me wonder what other early memories he has. So intriguing. And sobering. I think everything we've done, everything we've said or that Jett has seen is in there somewhere. And I hope we've done a good job so far.