Friday, November 14, 2008
Less sleep, more talking
D: The best advice I’ve gotten about parenting is, “if there are big developmental changes underfoot, everything else is going to get a little nutty”. Or something like that. Basically, if the baby is learning how to roll over or crawl or walk or eat solid food, you can bet the little guy is going to be keeping you up all night for a few weeks, or until he’s mastered the skill. We’ve relied on this advice to be true for our boys pretty much like clock work. The problem is, it’s usually always the last thing I remember to consider when they are crying for hours on end for seemingly no good reason. It always, “Is he tired? Poopy? Hungry? Crabby? Hurt? Teething? Sick? Or scared?” (Sometimes it’s all of the above.) Not “Is he going through a developmental milestone?”
Alas, I have determined this to be the case with our most recent bout of restlessness. And what is this milestone, you ask? Language. Finally.
Language is something that we’ve been working on for quite a while here in Twintown. We have been carefully pronouncing every single word in the books and repeating the word twice when pointing out everything we see around us. We’ve been using sign language for many actions and requests (more, stop, please, thank you, help, go). We are even emphasizing certain words when we talk such as, "would you like to go UP!! in the CHAIR!?" or "Would you like some APPLE!?! APPLE!!" (I wonder how this is effecting how I talk to people at work?) But up until a week or so ago the boys’ vocabulary was pretty slim. It was limited to:
Baa (Ball)
Ba- Baa (golf ball)
Anana (banana)
Ba-ba (bottle)
Da (dog)
Ca (car)
Uck (truck)
Er-Oh? ( where’d it go?)
Oh-oh! (I just broke something and moms going to be really mad)
And of course, Mamma and Dada.
Oh, and their animal sounds were pretty amazing. O can quack like a duck way better than I can.
They have always mumbled to each other with similar sounds and expressions, leading me to believe they are forming an intricate language of there own that they will have for years to come. They’ve let us in on one word, “DA – DOW”. Which means, “I’m pretty darn excited.” We say it back and forth to each other and they seem delighted that we are catching on.
On the flip side, I could not be happier that they are also learning how to use our language as well. I’m going to refrain from divulging any of my anguish and concern over the boys' speech delay and focus on how exciting it is that they are finally able to communicate better with us, each other, and even the dogs.
Here is what they are saying lately:
Wa-wa (water)
Go, go, go! (as in, Dog, you better get out of my face!)
Ocks (blocks)
Baby
Nana (their grandma)
Anna (thier Au Pair)
Choo-choo (trains)
Choo (shoe)
Coa (coat)
Ba-Boon (balloon)
Caa-caa (cracker)
Eh-oo (hello)
No, no, no! (Which is pretty ironic, since we never say the word unless they are in serious danger!)
And while this isn’t what you’d call a ‘language explosion’ that I’ve heard happens with some kids, there is a definite shift in their interest towards becoming great conversationalist!
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Oh lordy, I hope that's the case in my house, too! Because my daughter is going through quite a phase... :-)
yay! i'm so glad to hear about all the english talking going on in your house. it really does usher in a new phase in everyone's lives. although now that my guys are talking a lot, i kind of miss the old days with all the silly and incomprehensible noises coming out of their mouths. it was just so darn cute!
That's great news, guys!
And thanks for the reminder about the developmental milestones. It is always in the back of my mind but, like you said, I never think about it while 'in the moment'. Because there always has to be another reason...right?
We are going to WA for Christmas and plan to try out my dad's Wii to see how we like it. Although we aren't a video game family (which I know a ton of people who aren't, but still LOVE the Wii), I really dig the idea that you can remain active while playing a game. I need to do something and the yoga/strength training on the Wii Fit seems like it would be fun. Although, like you, when would I have time to do it?
The fall pumpkin photos are great...it makes me home sick!
I also wanted to say that we never use the word 'no', yet the boys started to say it anyway. Now they say it with gusto, but it often means 'yes'. Do you want an apple? NO!! (yet the kid reaches out for the apple).
They have just recently added 'yes' to their vocabulary...but it is a very VERY rare occurance.
It will be exciting to read about F & O's new words!
Great news! I am just realizing the milestones affecting sleep, I read this at the perfect time. Have fun.