Trading down

Recently, due to some surprise expenditures and our own rosy economy, we've put the lock-down on our spending.  But sometimes you just can't resist that impulse buy. 

I call Ana with my big find.

"Baby, I got something at lunch today."

Her voice perks up.  "What is it?"

"You have to wait until you get home.  It's a surprise."

"Is it for me?"

"Maybe."

"Is it food?"

"Guess you'll see."

"Good, good.  Oh, baby?"

"Yeah?"

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"I bought something, too."

Scraaaaaaaaaaaaaaatch.  The record screeches to a stop.

"For Sienna.  Baby, it's sooo cute.  Plus, it was on sale.  I had to."   

So much for the lock-down.

Later:

Ana's barely inside the door from work when she spots the plastic bag. 

"Is this it?"  She smiles and rifles through the bag. 

Suddenly, her face goes blank.

"This is what you--?"  She stops, unable to believe her eyes.  "You bought a Discman?"

She says it with a mix of surprise and humor.  And, oh yeah, utter disdain.

"It was only fifteen dollars."

"But, baby...who buys this?"

She examines the Discman as though it were an ancient artifact.

"No one.  Where did you find it?"

"I bought it at Best Buy."

"Did they laugh at you?"

She digs through the bag, looking for something else.

"Why didn't you buy an Ipod instead?"

"Too expensive."

"Oh, baby, now I'm sad.  I thought you got something exciting."

"I did.  Look."

I pull out my How to Say Anything in Portuguese book that I've purposefully kept hidden.   "Now, I can listen to my Portuguese CD's."

Boy, if she didn't suddenly do a full 180. 

"Oh, baby...the ones Claudia gave you?"

I pop open my Discman, and show her the Portuguese CD.  "These?"

Her mouth is wide open.  She could blow bubbles.

"Baby...Baby..."  She laughs.  "Did you hear that, Sienna?  Daddy's going to learn Portuguese."

(Lately, Ana's taken to talking to Sienna just as she once talked to Nikki preparing, no doubt, for her imminent motherhood.)

Yes, it's true.  Papa's finally taken the Portuguese plunge.   

Why now?

Because I want to increase global understanding?  Because I want to become more cultured and open up potential future career doors?   Because I want to think and dream in other languages?

No.

Because I recall Ana's famous words during one of our many conversations on how we're going to raise Sienna.  She says, "I'm going to teach Sienna Portuguese and then Mom and Sienna can talk and Daddy won't understand ha, ha, ha..."

Oh, so it's like that?

Team Mama Ana and Sienna vs Papa Monolinguist?

(Quick Joke: Question: What do you call people who speak only one language?  Answer:  Americans.)

Yes, Sienna will speak Portuguese.  I wouldn't want it any other way.

But so will Papa.  Time to kick it up a gear and get down to studying.  Mom and Sienna can't be having all the fun.

Besides, I got to break in my brand new, shiny Discman.

Unless...

Unless...

Anyone wanna trade?  Your Ipod for my Insignia Laser Discman? 

Batteries included...

--  PAPA