What's In A Name?

My son has upwards of thirty words. (Yes, I am keeping track because I know this is going to be asked at his upcoming well visit.) He says "no," "ball," "kitty cat" and several others. Of course, we think he is a genius and applaud all of his new utterances.

Unfortunately, though, he has one word that he will not say: "daddy."

He said "dada" right on track and it continued until around his first birthday but somewhere along the line, my husband became "Mommy," too. At first, we just laughed and passed it off. My daughter had a thing for a while where she called my husband "Daddymommy" and it passed nearly as quickly as it came.

"Mommy" really seems to be sticking with the boy, though. I am "Mommy" and so is my husband and my daughter. She, of course, loves it and enjoys the special name. When the kid really wants me he says "Momma" and I know he means me. But when he wants his dad: "Mommy!"

It didn't bother my husband until recently. We have had several situations where in public my son shouts "Mommy" and clearly wants my husband or his attention. This embarrassed RxMan. I think it sort of emasculated him and you know how men are about their penises. *sigh*

So, we have begun Operation ReTeach Him To Say Daddy. And so far? It is failing miserably. My husband has tried not responding to him until he says "Daddy" but if he stuck to his guns, the kid would never be held by his dad again. In the past few weeks, I have heard him say something along the lines of "daddy" once and it was at a whisper and I am not absolutely sure that is what he said.

We've tried "daddy", "papa", "father" and "dad" but the kid insists on "MOMMY" and usually in all caps. Yeah. That makes my husband ever so proud and secure in his manhood. I think the boy just has his signals crossed and truly thinks his dad's name is MOMMY, like his sister's and his, well, his other mommy.

So, I come to you, internetz, some of the savviest mommas I know to share ideas on how to whip this little bugger into shape or at least share a laugh at my husband's expense with me. Any ideas on how to get the kid to call a spud a spud?