Dear Cordelia,
You're at an interesting age right now. You spend your days proclaiming either: "No! I not a baby! I a BIG GIRL!" or "Mommy, I'm yours baby, right?" You seem to want to do all of the big girl things like drink from a big girl cup and use big girl toothpaste and sleep in your big girl bed, but you want to be reassured that you are my baby girl and get the attention and doting that comes along with that. You will always be my baby girl.
Up until about a month ago you were still sleeping in the crib. I had no problem with that. Your big girl bedroom was all set up with your paintings and your clothes and your bedding, but Kingsley slept in there. You slept in the smaller bedroom with Kingsley's clothes and Kingsley's pictures and Kingsley's knick-knacks. He was happy on the bed, you were happy in the crib. I was happy that you were contained and that I could lie down when Kingsley woke up in the middle of the night. Then one day you decided you were done with your crib. It was a sad day for me.
The first week or two were dreadful. You would not stay in your bed. You were put in there at about 7-7:30, which is your usual bedtime, but you would not sleep until about 10 or 11 and that was usually after disasters and threats from Daddy and I. I found you giving yourself a pedicure in the dark. I found you attempting to vacuum your room. I found you in the medicine cabinet I don't know how many times. I found you on the bathroom counter washing your feet in the sink. You also liked to check in on Rachel and Kingsley and see how they were doing. It was exhausting. Naps also were not very successful in the big girl bed.
Meanwhile, Kingsley was also not adjusting to his new crib. He sleeps in a crib when in the hospital and was not impressed with being in one at home. Between the two of you, I was cursing the decision to switch beds.
I got a tip to put the child proof door knob cover on the inside of your bedroom door and our problems were solved. The first night, I put it on when you weren't looking. About 30 seconds after I tucked you in and shut your door I heard you jiggling it, whining and eventually giving up. When I stuck my head in, you were scowling and asking: "What that thing there Mom?" You're used to it now. I take it off when I go to bed so that you can get out to go to the bathroom or come see us if you need something. It's working out after all.
You look so small curled up in your great big bed. My little baby. Such a big girl.
Love Mommy
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Busy Times
Hi Sweetheart,
We've had such a busy couple of months. At the end of November Kingsley had a pretty big surgery called a posterior fossa decompression. I was at the hospital with him for most of the days until late at night. You would spend the time with Nana or Grandma either at one of their houses or at ours. Rachel still went to school every morning, so some of the time you were by yourself doing things with them. Kingsley was in the hospital for nine days and this seemed to effect you more than Rachel. You and Kingsley are quite the pals. With Rachel in school in the morning, you had gotten used to doing playgroups with Kingsley or hanging out with me. With that routine disrupted, you seemed a little sad. Every morning you would break my heart by leaping out of my arms and running into the hallway to check and see if Kingsley was across the hall in his room. When he wasn't, you'd say, "Kingy in the hops-it-al." and then come back to see me for a bit. One mornings, I decided to spend some time with you and take you out to run some errands. You got so upset and begged me to just stay home with you and watch cartoons. My poor sweetheart, you just wanted to slow down and stop all the shuffling. I felt awful.
When Kingsley came home, you were ecstatic. The grins on your and Kingsley's faces was priceless. You've been so concerned with his new boo-boo, taking every opportunity to kiss it better even now. You give him hugs all the time and are the first to attempt to soothe him if he's upset. There's quite the bond between you two. I love watching you.
Christmas was fantastic this year. You didn't 'get' it as much as Rachel did, but I can see you starting to come around. You were more than happy to get involved in all of the Christmas prep. You loved the Christmas tree and were always found playing with the ornaments, announcing which ones were yours or Rachel's and reminding me that you were not allowed to touch them. When Rachel was one she was given a set of three song books and a CD that went with them: Away in a Manger, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night. She has become so attached to them over the years and this year you took an interest in them. Even today, when we were cleaning the playroom for Kingsley's birthday, you stopped to sit and sing Away in a Manger to yourself. I LOVE hearing you sing.
Santa brought you a lot of Toy Story 3 things this year as you have decided that you "yove Jessie" the cowgirl from Toy Story 2 and 3. You got a Jessie costume that you wear all the time and make people call you Jessie when you're in it. You also got the movie and a few books. You also got a plasma car (which is in the basement because you and Rachel kept riding them around when Kingsley was trying to sleep or crashing into things and just generally harming each other with them), some craft supplies (which you are getting good at!), and a leaptop. For about a week after Christmas, you would suddenly stop what you were doing and announce: "I have to check my emails!" and run for your Leaptop. It was adorable.
A couple of weeks ago, you started preschool. I was so nervous for you on your first day. We had gone for a visit just before Christmas and you had seen that it was where Rachel had gone, so you were familiar with it. You found some toys you liked and I practically had to drag you out when we were done talking with Teacher Terry. On your first day of school, you were pumped. Nana had given you a new backpack for school and you LOVE it. It was all packed up, you were set to go. We dropped Rachel off and then I brought you in. You showed no sign of hesitation when we arrived, switched your shoes, hung up your coat and bag (and I took a lot of pictures) and then brought you to the door. You danced on the spot, eager to get in and get to the toys. I sent you in and stood on the outside waiting. You took about two steps and turned, realizing I wasn't behind you. When you realized I wasn't coming, you did a bit of a dance, holding out your hand to me and whining. Teacher Terry pointed out the doll centre to you and you went with her. That was it. I waited and waited outside the door for you to look up, to show any sign that you were nervous or unsure, but you didn't do it. You were fine. ... although when I picked you up (still happy and enjoying yourself!) you were wearing different pants. Teacher Terry told me that you had an accident about 5 minutes after I left. You haven't had one since though, now that you know the routine and where the bathroom is. She says you have begun participating.
When I dropped you off at preschool yesterday, another mom had just dropped off her younger daughter and was talking to her older daughter. She was saying that her the younger girl was going to be so excited that Cordelia was there. She just looooves Cordelia. She had been talking about Cordelia and had heard that they had held hands all day on Tuesday. Melt my heart, you have a friend. When I asked you about the kids in your class, you delightedly told me that they were your friends. You were so proud.
You have started to speak really well lately. I'm constantly noticing that your clarity is improving as is your sentence structure. You still get 'not' at the end of a sentence, but I'm hearing it less and less. Another thing you're doing now is saying 'yours' instead of 'your' only it sounds like 'yorce'. I love hearing it. It makes me smile inside every time. You'll say things like: "Rachie, is that yours book?" or even better: "Rachie, that is yours book not!"
You and Rachel are quite the pair. You fight all the time. You are also best friends. You play together all day long when you're home together. She calls you Cor or less often Cordie. You call her Rachie, and sometimes Rachel (which you say pretty well now). I love watching the two of you.
You've calmed down the last couple of months. You aren't so much in the 'terrible two's' anymore. Daddy might disagree, but he usually only sees you at night when you're tired. You are so snuggly and lovable. I just can't get enough of you right now.
Love Mommy
We've had such a busy couple of months. At the end of November Kingsley had a pretty big surgery called a posterior fossa decompression. I was at the hospital with him for most of the days until late at night. You would spend the time with Nana or Grandma either at one of their houses or at ours. Rachel still went to school every morning, so some of the time you were by yourself doing things with them. Kingsley was in the hospital for nine days and this seemed to effect you more than Rachel. You and Kingsley are quite the pals. With Rachel in school in the morning, you had gotten used to doing playgroups with Kingsley or hanging out with me. With that routine disrupted, you seemed a little sad. Every morning you would break my heart by leaping out of my arms and running into the hallway to check and see if Kingsley was across the hall in his room. When he wasn't, you'd say, "Kingy in the hops-it-al." and then come back to see me for a bit. One mornings, I decided to spend some time with you and take you out to run some errands. You got so upset and begged me to just stay home with you and watch cartoons. My poor sweetheart, you just wanted to slow down and stop all the shuffling. I felt awful.
When Kingsley came home, you were ecstatic. The grins on your and Kingsley's faces was priceless. You've been so concerned with his new boo-boo, taking every opportunity to kiss it better even now. You give him hugs all the time and are the first to attempt to soothe him if he's upset. There's quite the bond between you two. I love watching you.
Christmas was fantastic this year. You didn't 'get' it as much as Rachel did, but I can see you starting to come around. You were more than happy to get involved in all of the Christmas prep. You loved the Christmas tree and were always found playing with the ornaments, announcing which ones were yours or Rachel's and reminding me that you were not allowed to touch them. When Rachel was one she was given a set of three song books and a CD that went with them: Away in a Manger, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night. She has become so attached to them over the years and this year you took an interest in them. Even today, when we were cleaning the playroom for Kingsley's birthday, you stopped to sit and sing Away in a Manger to yourself. I LOVE hearing you sing.
Santa brought you a lot of Toy Story 3 things this year as you have decided that you "yove Jessie" the cowgirl from Toy Story 2 and 3. You got a Jessie costume that you wear all the time and make people call you Jessie when you're in it. You also got the movie and a few books. You also got a plasma car (which is in the basement because you and Rachel kept riding them around when Kingsley was trying to sleep or crashing into things and just generally harming each other with them), some craft supplies (which you are getting good at!), and a leaptop. For about a week after Christmas, you would suddenly stop what you were doing and announce: "I have to check my emails!" and run for your Leaptop. It was adorable.
A couple of weeks ago, you started preschool. I was so nervous for you on your first day. We had gone for a visit just before Christmas and you had seen that it was where Rachel had gone, so you were familiar with it. You found some toys you liked and I practically had to drag you out when we were done talking with Teacher Terry. On your first day of school, you were pumped. Nana had given you a new backpack for school and you LOVE it. It was all packed up, you were set to go. We dropped Rachel off and then I brought you in. You showed no sign of hesitation when we arrived, switched your shoes, hung up your coat and bag (and I took a lot of pictures) and then brought you to the door. You danced on the spot, eager to get in and get to the toys. I sent you in and stood on the outside waiting. You took about two steps and turned, realizing I wasn't behind you. When you realized I wasn't coming, you did a bit of a dance, holding out your hand to me and whining. Teacher Terry pointed out the doll centre to you and you went with her. That was it. I waited and waited outside the door for you to look up, to show any sign that you were nervous or unsure, but you didn't do it. You were fine. ... although when I picked you up (still happy and enjoying yourself!) you were wearing different pants. Teacher Terry told me that you had an accident about 5 minutes after I left. You haven't had one since though, now that you know the routine and where the bathroom is. She says you have begun participating.
When I dropped you off at preschool yesterday, another mom had just dropped off her younger daughter and was talking to her older daughter. She was saying that her the younger girl was going to be so excited that Cordelia was there. She just looooves Cordelia. She had been talking about Cordelia and had heard that they had held hands all day on Tuesday. Melt my heart, you have a friend. When I asked you about the kids in your class, you delightedly told me that they were your friends. You were so proud.
You have started to speak really well lately. I'm constantly noticing that your clarity is improving as is your sentence structure. You still get 'not' at the end of a sentence, but I'm hearing it less and less. Another thing you're doing now is saying 'yours' instead of 'your' only it sounds like 'yorce'. I love hearing it. It makes me smile inside every time. You'll say things like: "Rachie, is that yours book?" or even better: "Rachie, that is yours book not!"
You and Rachel are quite the pair. You fight all the time. You are also best friends. You play together all day long when you're home together. She calls you Cor or less often Cordie. You call her Rachie, and sometimes Rachel (which you say pretty well now). I love watching the two of you.
You've calmed down the last couple of months. You aren't so much in the 'terrible two's' anymore. Daddy might disagree, but he usually only sees you at night when you're tired. You are so snuggly and lovable. I just can't get enough of you right now.
Love Mommy
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
No Touching
Dear Cordie,
The words "No touching" are just not in your vocabulary right now. Daddy and I say it to you about 100 times a day and instead of any sort of compliance, all I see on your face is the twinkle in your eye of someone who has just been presented with a challenge. My laptop, my camera, my tea, the Blu-Ray player, your brother... I turn my back and you are on it like white on rice. A couple of weeks ago, I raced upstairs to see why you were so quiet only to find you with all of Kingsley's cathing supplies out. The catheter was all lubed up, you were naked and you told me, "I do my pee-pee-nis." I held my breath and waited for you to add, "not" to the end of your sentence, but you didn't. I am not entirely sure what I missed, but I didn't find a cup of pee anywhere so I think I was safe. I had obviously told you not to touch Kingsley's stuff.
It's a never ending battle.
Luckily though, I find it very amusing that reverse psychology works incredibly well with you. If I tell you to take off your clothes or tell you not to put them on, I will find you dressed. If I tell you to not touch your dinner or tell you that it's for Rachel, it will get eaten. If I tell you that we are not going to brush teeth today, you can be found in the bathroom. Although in that case, there will likely be toothpaste all over the place.
Everyday is an adventure with you, Sweet Pea.
Love Mommy
The words "No touching" are just not in your vocabulary right now. Daddy and I say it to you about 100 times a day and instead of any sort of compliance, all I see on your face is the twinkle in your eye of someone who has just been presented with a challenge. My laptop, my camera, my tea, the Blu-Ray player, your brother... I turn my back and you are on it like white on rice. A couple of weeks ago, I raced upstairs to see why you were so quiet only to find you with all of Kingsley's cathing supplies out. The catheter was all lubed up, you were naked and you told me, "I do my pee-pee-nis." I held my breath and waited for you to add, "not" to the end of your sentence, but you didn't. I am not entirely sure what I missed, but I didn't find a cup of pee anywhere so I think I was safe. I had obviously told you not to touch Kingsley's stuff.
It's a never ending battle.
Luckily though, I find it very amusing that reverse psychology works incredibly well with you. If I tell you to take off your clothes or tell you not to put them on, I will find you dressed. If I tell you to not touch your dinner or tell you that it's for Rachel, it will get eaten. If I tell you that we are not going to brush teeth today, you can be found in the bathroom. Although in that case, there will likely be toothpaste all over the place.
Everyday is an adventure with you, Sweet Pea.
Love Mommy
You like meals not
Dear Cordie Bean,
Your talking has taken off again. You speak in big long sentences, and although we can't always understand the jumble of words you're saying, you usually get your point across.
My favourite thing that you say is when you try to make something negative. You haven't figured out where the word 'not' goes, so you just tack it on the end. Party 90's catch phrase, part Yoda. All day long I hear things like: "Kingsey is seeping, not," "I want to drink milk, not," "Rachel come to, not," and my favourite, "Hold me, not."
You've started mastering names a bit more as well. Kingsley has gone from Kiki, to Kinky, to King-gee, to Kingsey. Rachel has gone from Chay-cheh, to Way-cheh, to Way-chee or Way-cho. You call yourself Co-dee now, which is like how Rachel used to call you Co-deyah. People used to always say that your siblings would determine your nickname, and I guess that's true because Rachel calls you Cor or Cordie and that's what you now call yourself.
Another quirky phase you're going through is the grazing phase. You refuse to eat meals and instead are constantly in the fridge or cupboards sneaking food. All. Day. Long. It makes me crazy. When no one is looking, you steal the container of Craisins or a box of crackers or an apple. I find bits of food in your playroom, on the couch, left on the front hall floor... crazy making. You just ran in the room right now with an apple that you've pilfered from the fridge. You didn't eat your cereal for breakfast and are probably hungry. I can resist you, not.
Love Mommy.
Your talking has taken off again. You speak in big long sentences, and although we can't always understand the jumble of words you're saying, you usually get your point across.
My favourite thing that you say is when you try to make something negative. You haven't figured out where the word 'not' goes, so you just tack it on the end. Party 90's catch phrase, part Yoda. All day long I hear things like: "Kingsey is seeping, not," "I want to drink milk, not," "Rachel come to, not," and my favourite, "Hold me, not."
You've started mastering names a bit more as well. Kingsley has gone from Kiki, to Kinky, to King-gee, to Kingsey. Rachel has gone from Chay-cheh, to Way-cheh, to Way-chee or Way-cho. You call yourself Co-dee now, which is like how Rachel used to call you Co-deyah. People used to always say that your siblings would determine your nickname, and I guess that's true because Rachel calls you Cor or Cordie and that's what you now call yourself.
Another quirky phase you're going through is the grazing phase. You refuse to eat meals and instead are constantly in the fridge or cupboards sneaking food. All. Day. Long. It makes me crazy. When no one is looking, you steal the container of Craisins or a box of crackers or an apple. I find bits of food in your playroom, on the couch, left on the front hall floor... crazy making. You just ran in the room right now with an apple that you've pilfered from the fridge. You didn't eat your cereal for breakfast and are probably hungry. I can resist you, not.
Love Mommy.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween
Dear My Bug,
This was your third Halloween. Your first Halloween, you dressed up as a bug. That's where you got your nickname from. We called you little bug and for some reason it stuck. The second year, you were a unicorn. Both of these where hand-me-down costumes from your sister that Kamille also wore between.
This year, you were a witch. It's the first time you got a brand new costume all for you. You were beyond adorable! We started off calling you a Halloween Princess because when we told you that you were going to be a witch, you were less than thrilled. For our first Halloween party at the Church, your costume wasn't ready yet, so we put you in Kingsley's monkey costume. You fought it. In the end, you wore it and just sat with Daddy eating Timbits the whole party.
By some miracle, on the day of Malloween'ing, you happily put on your new witch costume. You had a hat that you loved. The skirt was a favorite of Rachel's, so of course you had to like it as well. I put green eyeshadow on you and you just did your shy smile with your lips pressed together, staring at yourself in the mirror for ages.
It took only a few stores during Malloweening for you to figure out that if you held your bag open, they put candy in it. You were thrilled, to say the least.
The next night, Halloween, you again put on your costume happily and were geared up and ready to GO! It was just above freezing, so we stuffed sweaters and layers under you and you didn't care in the slightest. I had to stop back at home to get mitts and hats for you and Rachel, but you didn't seem to notice how freezing it was. You would've gone all night, dragging along your treat bag until it was all torn up with little holes. There aren't a lot of kids on our street, so the neighbours all dumped handfuls of candy and chips into the bags of the sweet little witch and angel. I think you would've stayed out all night.
I absolutely love that you are getting old enough to appreciate Holidays and special days. I love watching you experience new things.
Love Mommy
This was your third Halloween. Your first Halloween, you dressed up as a bug. That's where you got your nickname from. We called you little bug and for some reason it stuck. The second year, you were a unicorn. Both of these where hand-me-down costumes from your sister that Kamille also wore between.
By some miracle, on the day of Malloween'ing, you happily put on your new witch costume. You had a hat that you loved. The skirt was a favorite of Rachel's, so of course you had to like it as well. I put green eyeshadow on you and you just did your shy smile with your lips pressed together, staring at yourself in the mirror for ages.
It took only a few stores during Malloweening for you to figure out that if you held your bag open, they put candy in it. You were thrilled, to say the least.
The next night, Halloween, you again put on your costume happily and were geared up and ready to GO! It was just above freezing, so we stuffed sweaters and layers under you and you didn't care in the slightest. I had to stop back at home to get mitts and hats for you and Rachel, but you didn't seem to notice how freezing it was. You would've gone all night, dragging along your treat bag until it was all torn up with little holes. There aren't a lot of kids on our street, so the neighbours all dumped handfuls of candy and chips into the bags of the sweet little witch and angel. I think you would've stayed out all night.
I absolutely love that you are getting old enough to appreciate Holidays and special days. I love watching you experience new things.
Love Mommy
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Musical Genius
Hi Cordie,
You have decided that you are a singer. You sing all the time. Your favourite songs are naturally the only ones you know and you only know them because I sing them. You can do Twinkle Twinkle, Rockabye Baby, Baby Beluga, and Happy Birthday. You especially love to sing to your little brother. He is apparently tone deaf because you sing about as well as I do, which is not very, and he likes hearing us both.
I love to watch your creativity grow. You not only love to sing, but you also love to dance. I think it first started from watching Rachel, but now you have your own moves and a style all your own. It's very entertaining to watch. Your favourite move right now is one of Rachel's old classics: you bend at the waist with your hands and head on the ground and stick one leg up in the air. Sort of a Downward Dog Going Pee. Priceless.
You are one of a kind, Cordelia.
Love Mommy
You have decided that you are a singer. You sing all the time. Your favourite songs are naturally the only ones you know and you only know them because I sing them. You can do Twinkle Twinkle, Rockabye Baby, Baby Beluga, and Happy Birthday. You especially love to sing to your little brother. He is apparently tone deaf because you sing about as well as I do, which is not very, and he likes hearing us both.
I love to watch your creativity grow. You not only love to sing, but you also love to dance. I think it first started from watching Rachel, but now you have your own moves and a style all your own. It's very entertaining to watch. Your favourite move right now is one of Rachel's old classics: you bend at the waist with your hands and head on the ground and stick one leg up in the air. Sort of a Downward Dog Going Pee. Priceless.
You are one of a kind, Cordelia.
Love Mommy
Monday, August 2, 2010
Loud without Language
Hey Baby,
I can't remember if I mentioned it already, but before Kingsley was born we were worried about your communication. Or, moreso, your lack of it. You didn't talk much and you were supposed to. At 18 months old the minimum 'pass' by the speech and language powers that be was 20 words. You had 19 and they were mostly approximations.
It's a tricky thing, being the second child. I see it all the time with my friends first children, now, but noticed it especially with you and Rachel. First borns seem to talk more. Behaviourally, I can understand it. They have one on one attention, they hang around an adult all day. Second borns hang around the first born all day and have to share any adult attention; language isn't reinforced as much. Rachel was a talker very early on. At 12 months she had 1 word. At 15 months she had a bunch. By 18 months she had well over 400 and I had stopped counting. We aren't supposed to compare kids, but that's a whole lot of talking compared to hardly anything. She was using phrases by 20 months and was having early conversations at two years old.
My point is, this is my norm. I know that 'typical' is somewhere between Rachel and the children with autism that I work with, but I have no idea what that actually looks/sounds like. The result: I was worried. And I knew that I had a baby coming soon that would be occupying a lot of my attention. I didn't want you to get missed if there really was a problem.
By some Christmas miracle, you had a language jump over the Holidays. Whether it was because I was off work then and was around you more to hear what you could say or all of the attention we were giving to you to encourage speech, I don't know. But you picked up a whole bunch of words and even strung a few of them together at a time. I had huge sighs of relief.
It's been eight months since our first worry. You talk a lot now, but Nana is worried again. She thinks you aren't talking enough. Now, I'm worried. I think you talk a lot, but what do I know? I'm trying to go by what I would test for at work, but it's not quite the same. I understand a lot of what you say, but not all of it. You have a lot of sound substitutions. You attempt to find words for everything, but often default to 'yeah', 'no', or 'dis!' You've started doing fill-ins with me with Twinkle Star, Baby Beluga and the Alphabet Song. You're working on colours, but so far everything is pink. You can follow one step instructions, understand some prepositions, and you sing. You now call Kingsley 'Kinky' instead of 'Kiki'. You know that you are 'Deya' and that you are 'DO!' years old. Your receptive language seems alright. You certainly understand when I tell you to do things you don't want to do, because it sends you running.
They also say that children develop in chunks. Some gross motor, then language, then more motor, but rarely at the same time. Rachel took forever to learn how to climb stairs or open doors or jump. She couldn't skip or run very well until she was well into her two's. You, on the other hand, are a mini-Olympian. You run, skip, jump with two feet, dance, climb, and can open just about anything. I think that you are developing physically and the language is just waiting. I think you're just fine. I hope I'm right and in the meantime, I'm doing language drills with you like I would with my clients. You poor thing ;)
I have my fingers crossed for you, baby. I'm on top of this. I won't let you get missed.
Love Mommy
I can't remember if I mentioned it already, but before Kingsley was born we were worried about your communication. Or, moreso, your lack of it. You didn't talk much and you were supposed to. At 18 months old the minimum 'pass' by the speech and language powers that be was 20 words. You had 19 and they were mostly approximations.
It's a tricky thing, being the second child. I see it all the time with my friends first children, now, but noticed it especially with you and Rachel. First borns seem to talk more. Behaviourally, I can understand it. They have one on one attention, they hang around an adult all day. Second borns hang around the first born all day and have to share any adult attention; language isn't reinforced as much. Rachel was a talker very early on. At 12 months she had 1 word. At 15 months she had a bunch. By 18 months she had well over 400 and I had stopped counting. We aren't supposed to compare kids, but that's a whole lot of talking compared to hardly anything. She was using phrases by 20 months and was having early conversations at two years old.
My point is, this is my norm. I know that 'typical' is somewhere between Rachel and the children with autism that I work with, but I have no idea what that actually looks/sounds like. The result: I was worried. And I knew that I had a baby coming soon that would be occupying a lot of my attention. I didn't want you to get missed if there really was a problem.
By some Christmas miracle, you had a language jump over the Holidays. Whether it was because I was off work then and was around you more to hear what you could say or all of the attention we were giving to you to encourage speech, I don't know. But you picked up a whole bunch of words and even strung a few of them together at a time. I had huge sighs of relief.
It's been eight months since our first worry. You talk a lot now, but Nana is worried again. She thinks you aren't talking enough. Now, I'm worried. I think you talk a lot, but what do I know? I'm trying to go by what I would test for at work, but it's not quite the same. I understand a lot of what you say, but not all of it. You have a lot of sound substitutions. You attempt to find words for everything, but often default to 'yeah', 'no', or 'dis!' You've started doing fill-ins with me with Twinkle Star, Baby Beluga and the Alphabet Song. You're working on colours, but so far everything is pink. You can follow one step instructions, understand some prepositions, and you sing. You now call Kingsley 'Kinky' instead of 'Kiki'. You know that you are 'Deya' and that you are 'DO!' years old. Your receptive language seems alright. You certainly understand when I tell you to do things you don't want to do, because it sends you running.
They also say that children develop in chunks. Some gross motor, then language, then more motor, but rarely at the same time. Rachel took forever to learn how to climb stairs or open doors or jump. She couldn't skip or run very well until she was well into her two's. You, on the other hand, are a mini-Olympian. You run, skip, jump with two feet, dance, climb, and can open just about anything. I think that you are developing physically and the language is just waiting. I think you're just fine. I hope I'm right and in the meantime, I'm doing language drills with you like I would with my clients. You poor thing ;)
I have my fingers crossed for you, baby. I'm on top of this. I won't let you get missed.
Love Mommy
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