She Calls me Mama

Ever since we first met Anya, we've been trying to get her to pronounce "Mama."  She tries as hard as she can, as slow as she can, and all that can come out is, "Baba." She can say "Daddy," "Eli," "Sadie" and different variations of the other kids' names. But not the one she needs to say the most!

Since the day I took her out of the orphanage, she has been calling me "Nenah."  Every time she calls out that name, I say, "Mmmammmma" or "Mmmommm" and try to get her to squeeze that "M" sound out. (My speech therapy school days are coming back to me...)

Well, after six weeks of persistence, our practice has finally paid off!  Last week she started saying "Baba" when she wanted my attention, and on Mother's Day, she finally produced the magic word.

Mama. 

It was her gift to me.  She's been calling me Mama ever since.