Who's your Mama?

I have been feeling soooo much better about G.'s development lately, but there are still things that worry me. My biggest concern is one that strikes right to my heart--G.'s rare use of my name. At this age, M. was annoying with her constant "Mama, Mama!" She would call me to her room to get her out of the crib, she would call me to look at her when she had done something good (or spectacularly naughty) or just when she wanted a hug.

G. is thrilled when his Papa comes home--he is treated like a rock star with a massive display of bouncing and yelling. G. says "Papa" several times a day under different circumstances. He also has his own version of M.'s name, which is rather long for a 14 month old. Heck, it's long for M. herself. He will ask for her occasionally.

G. is certainly happy to see me, but still doesn't break out my name when I appear. Worse, he frequently calls me Papa. I can't understand why this would persist and it worries me. Does he not know my name? He can say strawberry and bleuet, but not mama?

I was playing with him yesterday, trying to get him to get him to touch my nose and then M.'s nose. He kept going for her nose, not distinguishing between the two names. I stopped because it really got me upset.

I have no idea of the significance of this issue. I have heard that babies later diagnosed with Asperger's tend to use people's names later than other words. But he does name his father and sister. I have no idea what this all means, but it makes my heart hang heavy with worry.