A few months ago I discovered exactly where I ranked among Michael's preferences:
"Michael, do you love Mommy?"
(playfully drawn out) "Nooooooo!"
"Michael, do you love Daddy?"
"Noooooooo!"
"Michael, do you love oatmeal?"
(pause) "Yes. Want some oatmeal!"
Today Ben asked for a hug, and he complied with a big smile. I asked for a hug, and he screamed "No!" I asked again and he scooted away from me on his butt on the floor towards Ben. Ben came around to me, asked for a hug, and Michael ran over to give him a hug and Ben pushed me in front only to have Michael scream again "No Mommy hug!"
I asked if he loved me. He said "How about Daddy?" I asked if he loved Daddy. "Yes." Mommy? "No." This went on for about twenty minutes, me cajoling him to give me a hug or say he loved me. He got upset when I said Daddy wasn't going shopping with us, and I asked if he wanted me to stay with him or leave him alone, and he said leave. He was going to go find Daddy.
