I love the way toddlers say words. The Pumpkin had some adorable words, some that lasted for quite a while like "wobberwhy" for butterfly and "ballerlay" for ballet and "laliloli" for raviloli. But the Pumpkin's verbal skills advanced rather quickly, so there wasn't a whole lot of nicknames for things that she couldn't pronounce, other than those I listed.
But the Pookie, well his verbal skills are developing in their own time frame. He's totally in the range of normal for his age, so we're not worried or anything. He just isn't able to pronounce his words clearly and he has come up with toddlerese words and terms for things he either can't or won't say the right way.
For example, he doesn't pronounce the hard "c" sound very well (or the soft "c"/"s" sound either). In fact, he only pronounces the "cah" sound and "sss" sound when he is repeating just that sound back to us. But when it comes to the word "cat"? He either doesn't say it or can't say it. Instead, he calls cats "meows." It may be in part because our cat's name is kind of similar to the word meow, but he does differentiate the word dog, our dog's name and the sounds a dog makes. But for cats? He refers to them all as meows.
So now the rest of the family? We often call cats meows as well! "Look, Pookie! It's a meow!"
So this week's question of the week is:
What nickname or silly word have you adopted into everyday speech that originated from your kid(s)'s dialect of toddlerese?
The other really big one we've totally started using all the time is the Pookie's word for car: go-go. Actually, it started as a referral to cars, but then morphed to include trucks and motorcycles and trains and, well, anything that has wheels really. "Hey look, Pookie! It's a go-go!" and "Here's your (toy) go-go, Pook" have become regular phrases in our house used by me, Londo and the Pumpkin.
We have started to differentiate the types of go-gos and refer to go-go cars, go-go trucks, go-go trains, etc. I am at the point where I forget when I'm talking with other adults and I'll start to refer to a car as a go-go. And the term go-go is now used by my parents and others when talking to the Pookie!
Sometimes, I think the Pookie is just being stubborn about what he wants to call things though. For a while, the Pookie seemed to be confusing cows with elephants. We'd have arguments where I would say, "elephant" and he'd say "cow" and I'd say "elephant" and he'd say "cow" and this would go on for a little while, and I started to suspect that he was either pulling my leg or just being stubborn. Then we started reading some Italian board books starring an elephant named Elmer. So he started calling all elephants "el-moh." And we'd have disagreements about that as well. "Elephant." "Elmoh." "No, elephant." "No, elmoh!" Until I'd give up and say, "Fine it's an elmer elephant." And now? I often just refer to it as an elmer. Sigh...
What about your household? Any special nicknames or words that have infiltrated your language? Any cute toddlerese that you continue to use? Any that you miss? Any from your childhood? Share with me!
Showing posts with label talking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label talking. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sometimes She Confuses Me (Shorts)
Lately my daughter has been talking about "biting snakes" which I assume are snakes that bite, as opposed to those that don't. Generally, she talks about being scared of biting snakes and look out because there are biting snakes over there (with the crocodilles and giants who invade our house, apparently). And then the other morning, she shared this nugget of information:
Pumpkin: Biting snakes are scared of ghosts. Biting ghosts.
After a short pause, while I stood there a bit confused, but hadn't said anything...
Pumpkin: Biting ghosts are the same as regular ghosts except they are not regular. They are biting ghosts.
Glad we got that all cleared up!
------------------------
The other morning in the car, we had the following conversation:
Pumpkin: Do you want to hear a song about the highway?
caramama: I really do.
Pumpkin: Highway, highway. Every day is the highway.
Highway, highway. Every day is the highway.*
Pumpkin stops singing and asks me: Do you want to hear a song about the low way**?
caramama: Definitely.
Pumpkin: But I'm not done with the song about the highway!
caramama, trying not to laugh: Okay. Then let's hear the rest of the highway song.
Pumpkin continues to sing all sorts of "lyrics" about not rolling windows down on the highway because it's too windy and goodness knows what else.
I didn't do was ask her why she would offer up a different song when she wanted to sing more of the first song. I didn't bother to go there, because I suspect the answer would have confused me just as much.
*She totally made this song up. She makes up a lot of songs, and she's getting really good at it.
**For like a year now she's been distinguishing roads by whether they are highways or "low ways" such as neighborhood roads. We think it's so cute that we keep calling them that too.
Pumpkin: Biting snakes are scared of ghosts. Biting ghosts.
After a short pause, while I stood there a bit confused, but hadn't said anything...
Pumpkin: Biting ghosts are the same as regular ghosts except they are not regular. They are biting ghosts.
Glad we got that all cleared up!
------------------------
The other morning in the car, we had the following conversation:
Pumpkin: Do you want to hear a song about the highway?
caramama: I really do.
Pumpkin: Highway, highway. Every day is the highway.
Highway, highway. Every day is the highway.*
Pumpkin stops singing and asks me: Do you want to hear a song about the low way**?
caramama: Definitely.
Pumpkin: But I'm not done with the song about the highway!
caramama, trying not to laugh: Okay. Then let's hear the rest of the highway song.
Pumpkin continues to sing all sorts of "lyrics" about not rolling windows down on the highway because it's too windy and goodness knows what else.
I didn't do was ask her why she would offer up a different song when she wanted to sing more of the first song. I didn't bother to go there, because I suspect the answer would have confused me just as much.
*She totally made this song up. She makes up a lot of songs, and she's getting really good at it.
**For like a year now she's been distinguishing roads by whether they are highways or "low ways" such as neighborhood roads. We think it's so cute that we keep calling them that too.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Boy With Words
The Pookie does not like diaper changes. I do many different things to try and keep him from screaming while lying down on the changing pad, including trying different toys, making animal noises and tickling his adorable, exposed belly.
One morning last week, I had just tickle-tickle-tickled his belly and was putting a new diaper under him, when I heard him go, "ticka ticka ticka." This was a new noise, so I looked at him, and his little hands were making tickling motions on his own belly! ADORABLE!!!
----------------------
The Pookie hasn't said a lot of words. He's not really signing or speaking or telling me what sound a lion makes. He's gone through periods of babbling, and he does that babbling with intent thing that is super cute. But with a three year old around, and one who was ahead of the curve with talking, I forget the normal development for babies and toddlers learning to talk.
The Pookie's first word was "da da." For a while it was the only babbling he made, but he also definitely used it with intent when looking at Londo. So we called it. His first word at 11 or 12 months old was "da da."
He started saying "dah" for dog, while patting his leg, which is the sign (abbreviated from sign language) we use for dog. Those "da" babbles lasted a while. Finally, just after 12 months, he started making other babbling noises again. But he still didn't really have many words.
----------------------
Over the last month, the Pookie has started to use more and more words. Not all of them are actually words, but similar-ish sounds used to indicate the word he means. The beginnings of toddlerese, if you will.
There is the definitely clear "no no no" he says when doing something he shouldn't be doing. Of course, he keeps doing it, but I'm hoping that's more due to a lack of understanding the meaning of the word(s) no (no no) and not willful disobedience. We've got plenty of time for the latter when he's in the Twos and Threes.
He also says "go go go" when we are going somewhere or when I'm kicking the dog out of the kitchen.
He also says "dye dye" for bye bye, as waves his little hand when we are leaving or someone else is leaving us. He's started blowing kisses with his hand, too. It's super cute, and all the ladies at his daycare just laugh and think it's so adorable when he does it. (On a related note, his daycare drop offs are finally getting better!)
Two almost words he uses close to correctly are "dak oo" for thank you and "ja joo" for gentle. I say almost because he says his version of thank you while holding something out for us, as in he is giving us something and we say thank you to him for giving it to us. But he doesn't always want to really give it up. Sometimes, he just wants to hold it up and say "dak oo." As for gentle, that's the word we use when he starts to pet the dog. He is generally gentle, but I believe he thinks it mean pet the animal. He saw the cat yesterday and started saying "ja joo" even though the cat never lets the baby near enough to pet him.
----------------------
The day after he started saying "ticka ticka" while tickling himself and trying to tickle us, I had the kids at the table for breakfast. I was turned away from the table, stirring the cream of wheat into the milk, when I heard someone say "ah oh." I assumed it was my daughter, since it was so clear and obvious as to what was said. But then I realized that it wasn't her voice.
I turned around and asked my daughter who said that. Before she could answer, the Pookie dropped another cheerio on the floor and said it again, clear as day! "Ah oh!" The Pumpkin and I started laughing and joining him in his "ah ohs."
Two new words in two consecutive days? Wow. He is really starting to talk. We are now entering a period of development that I love: beginning to talk. It will of course be followed by periods of learning to back talk and argue, but let's focus on the fun cuteness that is toddlerese, shall we? And let's all prepare for more and more stories about the cute things my kids say!
Speaking of which, my daughter still calls Baa Baa Black Sheep: Bla Bla Black Sheep. She also still occasionally uses the phrase "because that's why" in place of the word "because..." when she is trying to explain something. But more and more, she's saying words and phrases the right way. So the Pookie is starting to learn some words just in time!
One morning last week, I had just tickle-tickle-tickled his belly and was putting a new diaper under him, when I heard him go, "ticka ticka ticka." This was a new noise, so I looked at him, and his little hands were making tickling motions on his own belly! ADORABLE!!!
----------------------
The Pookie hasn't said a lot of words. He's not really signing or speaking or telling me what sound a lion makes. He's gone through periods of babbling, and he does that babbling with intent thing that is super cute. But with a three year old around, and one who was ahead of the curve with talking, I forget the normal development for babies and toddlers learning to talk.
The Pookie's first word was "da da." For a while it was the only babbling he made, but he also definitely used it with intent when looking at Londo. So we called it. His first word at 11 or 12 months old was "da da."
He started saying "dah" for dog, while patting his leg, which is the sign (abbreviated from sign language) we use for dog. Those "da" babbles lasted a while. Finally, just after 12 months, he started making other babbling noises again. But he still didn't really have many words.
----------------------
Over the last month, the Pookie has started to use more and more words. Not all of them are actually words, but similar-ish sounds used to indicate the word he means. The beginnings of toddlerese, if you will.
There is the definitely clear "no no no" he says when doing something he shouldn't be doing. Of course, he keeps doing it, but I'm hoping that's more due to a lack of understanding the meaning of the word(s) no (no no) and not willful disobedience. We've got plenty of time for the latter when he's in the Twos and Threes.
He also says "go go go" when we are going somewhere or when I'm kicking the dog out of the kitchen.
He also says "dye dye" for bye bye, as waves his little hand when we are leaving or someone else is leaving us. He's started blowing kisses with his hand, too. It's super cute, and all the ladies at his daycare just laugh and think it's so adorable when he does it. (On a related note, his daycare drop offs are finally getting better!)
Two almost words he uses close to correctly are "dak oo" for thank you and "ja joo" for gentle. I say almost because he says his version of thank you while holding something out for us, as in he is giving us something and we say thank you to him for giving it to us. But he doesn't always want to really give it up. Sometimes, he just wants to hold it up and say "dak oo." As for gentle, that's the word we use when he starts to pet the dog. He is generally gentle, but I believe he thinks it mean pet the animal. He saw the cat yesterday and started saying "ja joo" even though the cat never lets the baby near enough to pet him.
----------------------
The day after he started saying "ticka ticka" while tickling himself and trying to tickle us, I had the kids at the table for breakfast. I was turned away from the table, stirring the cream of wheat into the milk, when I heard someone say "ah oh." I assumed it was my daughter, since it was so clear and obvious as to what was said. But then I realized that it wasn't her voice.
I turned around and asked my daughter who said that. Before she could answer, the Pookie dropped another cheerio on the floor and said it again, clear as day! "Ah oh!" The Pumpkin and I started laughing and joining him in his "ah ohs."
Two new words in two consecutive days? Wow. He is really starting to talk. We are now entering a period of development that I love: beginning to talk. It will of course be followed by periods of learning to back talk and argue, but let's focus on the fun cuteness that is toddlerese, shall we? And let's all prepare for more and more stories about the cute things my kids say!
Speaking of which, my daughter still calls Baa Baa Black Sheep: Bla Bla Black Sheep. She also still occasionally uses the phrase "because that's why" in place of the word "because..." when she is trying to explain something. But more and more, she's saying words and phrases the right way. So the Pookie is starting to learn some words just in time!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Caro Figlio – Serious Talking
Mio carino figlio,
My darling little boy, you are growing so much. You are over 13 months and just as adorable as can be. You have your own personality and your own way and time table for doing things. I love to watch you develop and learn. I’m constantly amazed and delighted by the things you do.
One of my favorite things lately is how you talk to me, especially in the mornings after you are done nursing. You look up at me, your head still in the crook of my arm, and with your round eyes wide, you say, “ah do an doh na dah.” I respond, “Oh, is that right? What else?”
You continue to babble with the most earnest expression on your face! I continue to chat back with you until, inevitably, one of us breaks out into a smiling, causing the other one to smile and laugh back. Then, we usually start right back into the conversation.
Your teachers tell me that you talk with them and with the other kids, too. Your face serious and intent, your language (other than a few words) not yet understandable, you work hard to express yourself to those around you. We all love it when you talk to us, and we can’t wait to hear more.
Ti amo,
Mama
My darling little boy, you are growing so much. You are over 13 months and just as adorable as can be. You have your own personality and your own way and time table for doing things. I love to watch you develop and learn. I’m constantly amazed and delighted by the things you do.
One of my favorite things lately is how you talk to me, especially in the mornings after you are done nursing. You look up at me, your head still in the crook of my arm, and with your round eyes wide, you say, “ah do an doh na dah.” I respond, “Oh, is that right? What else?”
You continue to babble with the most earnest expression on your face! I continue to chat back with you until, inevitably, one of us breaks out into a smiling, causing the other one to smile and laugh back. Then, we usually start right back into the conversation.
Your teachers tell me that you talk with them and with the other kids, too. Your face serious and intent, your language (other than a few words) not yet understandable, you work hard to express yourself to those around you. We all love it when you talk to us, and we can’t wait to hear more.
Ti amo,
Mama
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Question of the Week - Who Ya Gonna Call?
The other week, I read this really interesting article about how hearing mom's voice can reduce the stress hormone (cortisol) and increase the bonding hormone (oxytocin), which is usually brought out by touch (this isn't the article I originally read, but it is a really good write-up about the research). The study was done on 61 girls, agest 7 to 12, who performed in a stressful situation. One group of girls got physical contact with their moms, another talked to their moms over the phone and the final group watched a neutral movie. At the end a set period of time, they tested the girls' cortisol levels and oxytocin levels. (There was a bit more too it, but that is the gist.)
The girls who had physical contact had the most quickly reduced levels of cortisol and a significant increase in oxytocin. The girls who talked to their moms over the phone had the same amount of cortisol, although it reduced more slowly, and the same increase in oxytocin. The girls who didn't have contact with their moms had elevated levels of cortisol and low levels of oxytocin.
Although I would like to see additional studies done on boys calling their moms, both kids calling their dads, kids getting to choose who they want to call (cause not every mom may be a calming influence) and some other variations, this is very fascinating stuff! Reading about it gives me warm fuzzies (or is that the oxytocin?) both as a mom and as a daughter. Not only does this information help solidify my plans to call my kids when I'm away over the years, but it also makes me think back to all those times in college and after when I would call my mom after something stressful.
It also got me thinking about who I call these days when I'm frustrated or stressed. Which got me wondering who other people call. Which is of course this week's question of the week:
Who do you call when you are stressed out?
I find that I call different people for different types of stress. I don't know if my oxytocin levels increase in any of these cases, but I do think that my cortisol levels probably decrease. Here's who I call for what:
Who do you call when you need to reach out and touch someone? Do you call different people for different things? Does calling your mom provide you with comfort or raise your stress levels through the roof? If your stress is high, who ya gonna call?
The girls who had physical contact had the most quickly reduced levels of cortisol and a significant increase in oxytocin. The girls who talked to their moms over the phone had the same amount of cortisol, although it reduced more slowly, and the same increase in oxytocin. The girls who didn't have contact with their moms had elevated levels of cortisol and low levels of oxytocin.
Although I would like to see additional studies done on boys calling their moms, both kids calling their dads, kids getting to choose who they want to call (cause not every mom may be a calming influence) and some other variations, this is very fascinating stuff! Reading about it gives me warm fuzzies (or is that the oxytocin?) both as a mom and as a daughter. Not only does this information help solidify my plans to call my kids when I'm away over the years, but it also makes me think back to all those times in college and after when I would call my mom after something stressful.
It also got me thinking about who I call these days when I'm frustrated or stressed. Which got me wondering who other people call. Which is of course this week's question of the week:
Who do you call when you are stressed out?
I find that I call different people for different types of stress. I don't know if my oxytocin levels increase in any of these cases, but I do think that my cortisol levels probably decrease. Here's who I call for what:
- my hubby - I call him when I'm stressed about the kids and anything else in my entire life. Although lately, phone calls are not conducive to reducing stress, since either he is or I am home juggling kids or at work dealing with business when we call each other. I prefer to talk to him in person, after the kids are in bed, when I am winding down and unloading at the end of the day.
- my mom - I still call my mom to talk about various things. Usually kid issues or money frustrations or health concerns. She is really a balm to my spirit in those cases and more.
- my dad - When I'm feed up or upset about work, my Dad is my go-to guy to talk to. I don't call him to vent and complain about many things, although I do call him with issues and concerns I have from health stuff to household stuff. More importantly, I call him when I am doing something cool and want to share it with someone, just like he does with me and my siblings.
- my sister - On average, I probably have real conversations with my sister either every day or every other day. We have the same general commute schedule and hands-free earpieces, so we chat away while on our drives, in part to keep from getting frustrated in the crappy DC traffic and in part to keep in touch with each other. We talk about everything from kids to health to husbands to pre-schools to upcoming vacations to family to, well, everything! Just this morning, we spent 30 minutes planning a summer vacation! She is the main reason Londo had to up my cell phone minutes a year or two ago. Heh.
- good friends - I have 2-3 good friends who are great phone talkers. We tend to take turns complaining and raving about just about everything in our lives. (I have a lot of other good friends who are great in-person talkers but not great phone talkers, so just because I don't call them once or twice a week on my commutes does not mean they aren't treasured friends.)
Who do you call when you need to reach out and touch someone? Do you call different people for different things? Does calling your mom provide you with comfort or raise your stress levels through the roof? If your stress is high, who ya gonna call?
Friday, April 9, 2010
Learning Her Native Language
I'm so fascinated with how my daughter is learning language. As a person who loves languages and words, seeing how a child's language develops first hand is really eye opening to me. I remember when I lived in Italy and spoke italian almost fluently, I was get so mad at myself when I mixed up pronouns or tenses. But watching my child go through those same things, I'm realizing that it is a natural part of learning any language.
We don't expect children to get even their native language correct from the get go. We know that they will say some words wrong, misuse phrases, mix up pronouns and verb tenses, and generally not understand some things that we usually take for granted. We generally aren't unreasonable in our expectations of children. We correct them or let it go when they don't say things right. It takes years and years and YEARS for them to learn their native language fluently, with higher and higher levels of vocabularly and grammar rules and goodness knows what else!
We tell them to "use their words" when they are frustrated/mad/sad, and it's up to us to teach them those words. Teaching them the words for their emotions, their needs and their wants not only helps us understand them and cuts down on their tantrums, but it also allows them to begin to understand their emotions, needs and wants. If you have a "spirited" child like I do, the book Raising Your Spirited Child has really helped me come up with phrases and ways to say things that I am teaching my daughter so that she will understand herself and be able to help other people understand her.
Recently, we've been working on helping her learn how to go to sleep by herself. It's a long process (no Baby Sleep Boot Camp for this child!), and I will post about my methods soon. Part of my strategy is teaching her the words she needs to know to understand what is going on and what she needs to learn. In the last few nights, I've heard her tell me the following:
-I'm having trouble going to sleep.
-It's hard [to go to sleep].
-I'm going to lay down and try to sleep. (I'm still working on lay versus lie with her)
-I just need to cuddle a little in your lap. (She gets back in bed after I cuddle with her a little.)
-I'm ready for you to go now. (She wasn't, but it was still good to hear the words.)
I believe it is because I'm teaching her the words that truly reflect what's going on that I'm hearing less of the follow at bedtime:
-There's a shark in the anchor (pointed to the cords of the window). It's going to eat me!
-I'm scared to lay down.
-Nooooo! Lay down with me!
-Go away! (and a second later) Don't leave!
And apparently, I'm also teaching her how to say some things simply because I say them all the time. These include:
-Hey--as in, "Hey, everybody!", "Hey, that's not right!", and "Hey! Hey! Hey!" (to get attention).
-Cannot--as in, "No, you cannot do that." I'd heard Londo say to her, "Embrace the use of the contraction," and I couldn't figure out why she was always using cannot instead of can't. Until I heard myself tell her, "No, you cannot do that!" one day. Aha!
-Actually--as in, "Actually, it does fit you." Actually, I have realized I use this word a ton. Actually, it's really cute when she says it, too. Actually, I have no plans to stop saying it.
-Oh my gosh--as in, "Oh my gosh! Those are so cute!" which she said about the clothes I picked out for her this morning, even though she "actually" didn't want to wear the shirt I had picked out. She has always loved to make the surprised face and sound, and now she's added oh my gosh.
But some cute phrases she has either picked up somewhere else or developed on her own. My favorite one lately is:
-By my own. As in, she came up with that one by her own. Not on her own or by herself. She wants to do things by her own. And I love it!
All my observations about how her speech and language develops is making me want to re-learn italian or maybe even another language too. I think I will feel less inhibited about speaking now that I realize that making mistakes and not speaking perfectly is a natural part of learning a language. And maybe I'll come up with some cute little phrases in italian all by my own!
We don't expect children to get even their native language correct from the get go. We know that they will say some words wrong, misuse phrases, mix up pronouns and verb tenses, and generally not understand some things that we usually take for granted. We generally aren't unreasonable in our expectations of children. We correct them or let it go when they don't say things right. It takes years and years and YEARS for them to learn their native language fluently, with higher and higher levels of vocabularly and grammar rules and goodness knows what else!
We tell them to "use their words" when they are frustrated/mad/sad, and it's up to us to teach them those words. Teaching them the words for their emotions, their needs and their wants not only helps us understand them and cuts down on their tantrums, but it also allows them to begin to understand their emotions, needs and wants. If you have a "spirited" child like I do, the book Raising Your Spirited Child has really helped me come up with phrases and ways to say things that I am teaching my daughter so that she will understand herself and be able to help other people understand her.
Recently, we've been working on helping her learn how to go to sleep by herself. It's a long process (no Baby Sleep Boot Camp for this child!), and I will post about my methods soon. Part of my strategy is teaching her the words she needs to know to understand what is going on and what she needs to learn. In the last few nights, I've heard her tell me the following:
-I'm having trouble going to sleep.
-It's hard [to go to sleep].
-I'm going to lay down and try to sleep. (I'm still working on lay versus lie with her)
-I just need to cuddle a little in your lap. (She gets back in bed after I cuddle with her a little.)
-I'm ready for you to go now. (She wasn't, but it was still good to hear the words.)
I believe it is because I'm teaching her the words that truly reflect what's going on that I'm hearing less of the follow at bedtime:
-There's a shark in the anchor (pointed to the cords of the window). It's going to eat me!
-I'm scared to lay down.
-Nooooo! Lay down with me!
-Go away! (and a second later) Don't leave!
And apparently, I'm also teaching her how to say some things simply because I say them all the time. These include:
-Hey--as in, "Hey, everybody!", "Hey, that's not right!", and "Hey! Hey! Hey!" (to get attention).
-Cannot--as in, "No, you cannot do that." I'd heard Londo say to her, "Embrace the use of the contraction," and I couldn't figure out why she was always using cannot instead of can't. Until I heard myself tell her, "No, you cannot do that!" one day. Aha!
-Actually--as in, "Actually, it does fit you." Actually, I have realized I use this word a ton. Actually, it's really cute when she says it, too. Actually, I have no plans to stop saying it.
-Oh my gosh--as in, "Oh my gosh! Those are so cute!" which she said about the clothes I picked out for her this morning, even though she "actually" didn't want to wear the shirt I had picked out. She has always loved to make the surprised face and sound, and now she's added oh my gosh.
But some cute phrases she has either picked up somewhere else or developed on her own. My favorite one lately is:
-By my own. As in, she came up with that one by her own. Not on her own or by herself. She wants to do things by her own. And I love it!
All my observations about how her speech and language develops is making me want to re-learn italian or maybe even another language too. I think I will feel less inhibited about speaking now that I realize that making mistakes and not speaking perfectly is a natural part of learning a language. And maybe I'll come up with some cute little phrases in italian all by my own!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Pumpkin Confirms What We Thought
We try to use positive reinforcement in our parenting toolbox, especially for things we want the Pumpkin to do but don't want to force for whatever reason. When she sleeps through the night in her own bed by herself, as she did last night, we always praise her for it.
This morning after the Pumpkin woke up, I was in her room with her and we had the following conversation (as best as I can recall), which was very enlightening:
Pumpkin: I did a good job sleeping! I slept in my bed all night. But I lost my daddy [he lies with her until she falls asleep and then comes back into our room]. He went in Mommy and Daddy's room. And Mommy is in Mommy and Daddy's room.
caramama: Daddy went back into Mommy and Daddy's room to sleep in his own bed, right? Like you sleep in your bed?
Pumpkin: Yeah. Daddy sleeps in his bed and Mommy sleeps in his bed [she still confuses her male/female pronouns]. And then I come in to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed, too! And then we all sleep in your bed!
So, it seems that she wants to be sleeping with everyone else. She didn't mention the Pookie, but he still sleeps in there with us, as does the dog and often the cat. When she wakes up in the middle of the night, she feels like she "lost" or can't find her Daddy, so she comes to find him and the rest of the family in Mommy and Daddy's bed. It only logically follows that she should then sleep with us in there too.
I just can't argue with it. Someday, but not when she clearly is just missing us and doesn't want to be sleeping alone. We'll continue with the positive reinforcement for now, but we aren't going to push her out of the family bed.
This morning after the Pumpkin woke up, I was in her room with her and we had the following conversation (as best as I can recall), which was very enlightening:
Pumpkin: I did a good job sleeping! I slept in my bed all night. But I lost my daddy [he lies with her until she falls asleep and then comes back into our room]. He went in Mommy and Daddy's room. And Mommy is in Mommy and Daddy's room.
caramama: Daddy went back into Mommy and Daddy's room to sleep in his own bed, right? Like you sleep in your bed?
Pumpkin: Yeah. Daddy sleeps in his bed and Mommy sleeps in his bed [she still confuses her male/female pronouns]. And then I come in to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed, too! And then we all sleep in your bed!
So, it seems that she wants to be sleeping with everyone else. She didn't mention the Pookie, but he still sleeps in there with us, as does the dog and often the cat. When she wakes up in the middle of the night, she feels like she "lost" or can't find her Daddy, so she comes to find him and the rest of the family in Mommy and Daddy's bed. It only logically follows that she should then sleep with us in there too.
I just can't argue with it. Someday, but not when she clearly is just missing us and doesn't want to be sleeping alone. We'll continue with the positive reinforcement for now, but we aren't going to push her out of the family bed.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Cute Things She Says Shorts
I love all the cute things my girl says. She's 2.5 years old now, and I've missed recording so many of the adorable ways she says things. So I'm going to do some snippets of things she's said recently and some from way back.
--------------------------------
I read a lot of books child development and communication. A few of the communication books mentioned that when a child wants something, sometimes you can just acknowledge the want by saying that you wish they could have/do that, and that is enough to satisfy them.
I like this technique and have used it a bit. For example, if she says she wants a cupcake, I'll say, "I wish you could have a cupcake! But we don't have any in the house. I want one too." Or something like that.
So the other morning, this was the conversation:
caramama: Oh, Pumpkin, we still have to brush your teeth.
Pumpkin: I'll do it all by myself!
caramama: Well, Mommy has to do it.
(I have to at least "take a turn" or else she just sucks on the toothbrush and doesn't get any brushing done. She knows this, but often wants to do it herself only.)
Pumpkin, said in a perfect imitation of the tone I use: I wish you could, Mommy. But I'm gonna do it by myself.
caramama (trying not to die laughing): Well, what if we do it together?
Pumpkin: OK!
And we did it together while singing the WonderPets' teamwork song.
--------------------------------
The other morning I called out to her, "Pumpkin* pie?" She replied, "Yes, Mommy pie?"
She did it again this morning when I said, "I love you, Pumpkin pie." She said, "I love you, Mommy pie."
I just love that!
*I used her real name with "pie" after it.
--------------------------------
Back in January or February of this year, she used to say "Where oh where is _____?" when she was looking for something. She ddn't just say "where is ____." She'd say "where oh where is ____" or sometimes just "oh where is ____." I think she got it from the song "Where oh where has my little dog gone?" which I sing to her on occassion.
--------------------------------
Just recently she seems to have the names of colors right. But she used to not say a few colors correctly:
-Yellow: When she was very young, she'd say "lello." But over the last year and a half, she's been calling it "yea-yo."
-Orange: She'd always called it "or-jas" with the soft j sound like you say "je" in French. And it was always plural.
-White: For a long time, she would call things that were white "black." She would just mix up the name for white, although she always got black correct.
--------------------------------
Until just a week or two ago, the Pumpkin would say the word ravioli as "laliloli." It was sooooo cute!
--------------------------------
Last January, I tried to teach the Pumpkin to say Obama and who Obama was. She did not get it. Instead, she started occasionally calling me O Mama or O Mommy. Londo incouraged this behavoir. And though I tried to get her to, she would not say O Daddy.
--------------------------------
I know there are more. Hopefully I'll remember to write them down and share them another time.
--------------------------------
I read a lot of books child development and communication. A few of the communication books mentioned that when a child wants something, sometimes you can just acknowledge the want by saying that you wish they could have/do that, and that is enough to satisfy them.
I like this technique and have used it a bit. For example, if she says she wants a cupcake, I'll say, "I wish you could have a cupcake! But we don't have any in the house. I want one too." Or something like that.
So the other morning, this was the conversation:
caramama: Oh, Pumpkin, we still have to brush your teeth.
Pumpkin: I'll do it all by myself!
caramama: Well, Mommy has to do it.
(I have to at least "take a turn" or else she just sucks on the toothbrush and doesn't get any brushing done. She knows this, but often wants to do it herself only.)
Pumpkin, said in a perfect imitation of the tone I use: I wish you could, Mommy. But I'm gonna do it by myself.
caramama (trying not to die laughing): Well, what if we do it together?
Pumpkin: OK!
And we did it together while singing the WonderPets' teamwork song.
--------------------------------
The other morning I called out to her, "Pumpkin* pie?" She replied, "Yes, Mommy pie?"
She did it again this morning when I said, "I love you, Pumpkin pie." She said, "I love you, Mommy pie."
I just love that!
*I used her real name with "pie" after it.
--------------------------------
Back in January or February of this year, she used to say "Where oh where is _____?" when she was looking for something. She ddn't just say "where is ____." She'd say "where oh where is ____" or sometimes just "oh where is ____." I think she got it from the song "Where oh where has my little dog gone?" which I sing to her on occassion.
--------------------------------
Just recently she seems to have the names of colors right. But she used to not say a few colors correctly:
-Yellow: When she was very young, she'd say "lello." But over the last year and a half, she's been calling it "yea-yo."
-Orange: She'd always called it "or-jas" with the soft j sound like you say "je" in French. And it was always plural.
-White: For a long time, she would call things that were white "black." She would just mix up the name for white, although she always got black correct.
--------------------------------
Until just a week or two ago, the Pumpkin would say the word ravioli as "laliloli." It was sooooo cute!
--------------------------------
Last January, I tried to teach the Pumpkin to say Obama and who Obama was. She did not get it. Instead, she started occasionally calling me O Mama or O Mommy. Londo incouraged this behavoir. And though I tried to get her to, she would not say O Daddy.
--------------------------------
I know there are more. Hopefully I'll remember to write them down and share them another time.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Laughing Through the Nos
It was another rough night, and again everyone ended up in our bed. That includes the dog and sometimes the cat. (Thank goodness it's a king-sized bed!)
After I had been up with the baby for over an hour, the Pumpkin and Londo finally woke up. It was after 8, so we were already running late. But the Pumpkin hadn't slept well due to a cough and Londo is almost always at work by 8 instead of sleeping cuddled with his daughter, so I let them sleep until they woke on their own(ish) just after 8.
One of the first things I told the Pumpkin was that there was oatmeal for breakfast in order to help motivate her to get up and ready to go. She was excited! She loves oatmeal! But everything after that was met by a big "No." This conversation happened after yet another No.
caramama, to Londo: It sounds like she's got a case of the Nos.
Londo, to caramama: You know how to get some Yeses? Just ask her a question which should have the answer No.
caramama, to Londo: Because she's being so contrary lately?
Londo, to caramama: Yep.
Londo, to the Pumpkin: Pumpkin, do you want to go back to sleep?
Pumpkin: Noooo.
caramama, to Londo: Good try.
Londo, to the Pumpkin: Pumpkin, do you want a hippopatomaus?
Pumpkin: No, Daddy. I want oatmeal!
We got a good laugh out of that! Maybe next time she rejects whatever meat we've made for dinner I'll tell her it's hippopatomaus! Bwahahaha!
Also, a little while later, there was this conversation, apropo of nothing:
Pumpkin: Daddy, are you Super Daddy?
Londo: Yes, I am!
caramama: He most definitely is!
That's the cute story for the morning. I won't get into the big meltdown about which chair she wanted to sit in ("No, the OTHER one!") or trying to get her out to the car (I had to carry her) or the dropoff (which is actually getting better).
After I had been up with the baby for over an hour, the Pumpkin and Londo finally woke up. It was after 8, so we were already running late. But the Pumpkin hadn't slept well due to a cough and Londo is almost always at work by 8 instead of sleeping cuddled with his daughter, so I let them sleep until they woke on their own(ish) just after 8.
One of the first things I told the Pumpkin was that there was oatmeal for breakfast in order to help motivate her to get up and ready to go. She was excited! She loves oatmeal! But everything after that was met by a big "No." This conversation happened after yet another No.
caramama, to Londo: It sounds like she's got a case of the Nos.
Londo, to caramama: You know how to get some Yeses? Just ask her a question which should have the answer No.
caramama, to Londo: Because she's being so contrary lately?
Londo, to caramama: Yep.
Londo, to the Pumpkin: Pumpkin, do you want to go back to sleep?
Pumpkin: Noooo.
caramama, to Londo: Good try.
Londo, to the Pumpkin: Pumpkin, do you want a hippopatomaus?
Pumpkin: No, Daddy. I want oatmeal!
We got a good laugh out of that! Maybe next time she rejects whatever meat we've made for dinner I'll tell her it's hippopatomaus! Bwahahaha!
Also, a little while later, there was this conversation, apropo of nothing:
Pumpkin: Daddy, are you Super Daddy?
Londo: Yes, I am!
caramama: He most definitely is!
That's the cute story for the morning. I won't get into the big meltdown about which chair she wanted to sit in ("No, the OTHER one!") or trying to get her out to the car (I had to carry her) or the dropoff (which is actually getting better).
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Question of the Week - Questions, Questions, Questions
We are having internet problems, which is why I've not been online or posting much lately. It's very frustrating, and the cable guy isn't coming until Saturday. Hopefully this posts.
So let's get right to the question of the week:
What question(s)/phrase/activity is your child asking/saying/doing constantly these days?
The Pumpkin is always asking "Can I help?" and "Can I go?" If we don't answer right away, she asks "Can I? Can I? Can I?" She wants to help with everything from the dishes (she's getting good at washing the soap off dishes) to making coffee (which I don't let her help with). And she wants to go everywhere with me or Londo. It's hard to say no to her, because isn't it nice that she wants to help and sweet that she wants to go with us?
She is also constantly asking if she can hold the baby and saying "Oh, what a cute little baby!" There are many worse things she could be constantly asking for or doing. We are pretty lucky.
The Pookie is constantly nursing and a bit fussy. He is now entertained by some toys and rattles, though not peek-a-boo. And he makes some pretty cute little coo and goo goo noises! He doesn't do much else, so that's pretty much it for his activities.
How about your kid? What are they constantly asking for, saying or doing these days? Share the cute things or the things that drive you crazy.
So let's get right to the question of the week:
What question(s)/phrase/activity is your child asking/saying/doing constantly these days?
The Pumpkin is always asking "Can I help?" and "Can I go?" If we don't answer right away, she asks "Can I? Can I? Can I?" She wants to help with everything from the dishes (she's getting good at washing the soap off dishes) to making coffee (which I don't let her help with). And she wants to go everywhere with me or Londo. It's hard to say no to her, because isn't it nice that she wants to help and sweet that she wants to go with us?
She is also constantly asking if she can hold the baby and saying "Oh, what a cute little baby!" There are many worse things she could be constantly asking for or doing. We are pretty lucky.
The Pookie is constantly nursing and a bit fussy. He is now entertained by some toys and rattles, though not peek-a-boo. And he makes some pretty cute little coo and goo goo noises! He doesn't do much else, so that's pretty much it for his activities.
How about your kid? What are they constantly asking for, saying or doing these days? Share the cute things or the things that drive you crazy.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Meet Up Tomorrow, and I Love Yous
For those who are coming to the meet up, it's supposed to be partly cloudy and highs in the 80s tomorrow! I don't have a back-up plan, so I hope it doesn't rain.
We'll be there around 10 (if I can get the kids ready and out the door in time). I can't wait to see everyone!
-----------------------------------
Here's a cute story for a Friday afternoon.
The Pumpkin is pretty good about professing her love for us (when she's in the mood). And after my heart melts when she says, "I love you, Mommy," I often respond, "I love you, too." (The "often" was for the "too" because I always tell her I love her when she tells me that--and I tell her many other times.)
Well, lately, she has been saying right after me, "I love you, too." So then I'll say, "I love you, three." And then she says, "I love you, four." And we'll continue up a few numbers until we're both laughing.
Oh, I just think she's the sweetest, most incredible girl in the world!
We'll be there around 10 (if I can get the kids ready and out the door in time). I can't wait to see everyone!
-----------------------------------
Here's a cute story for a Friday afternoon.
The Pumpkin is pretty good about professing her love for us (when she's in the mood). And after my heart melts when she says, "I love you, Mommy," I often respond, "I love you, too." (The "often" was for the "too" because I always tell her I love her when she tells me that--and I tell her many other times.)
Well, lately, she has been saying right after me, "I love you, too." So then I'll say, "I love you, three." And then she says, "I love you, four." And we'll continue up a few numbers until we're both laughing.
Oh, I just think she's the sweetest, most incredible girl in the world!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Morning Conversations Shorts
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. I'm still really in shock about the loss of our friend. I am going to write a couple of cute stories today to try and concentrate on nicer things.
The Pumpkin seems to have made a cognitive developmental leap lately. It's hard for Londo and I to pinpoint exactly what it is that's different, but we both have realized it. (I'll have to look into what's going on developmentally at this age.) What we have noticed is how she thinks about things seems slightly different, and the way she talks about things.
So here are some cute things she's said this morning and the other morning, each of which have at least something cognitively different from before this leap. I will put the pound sign (#) by things I think are new.
----------------------
The other morning when Londo was downstairs feeding the dog, the Pumpkin woke up and came into our room as always. I had been in the bathroom washing up, but I heard her, so I came out of the bathroom and smiled at her.
caramama: Good morning, Pumpkin.
Pumpkin, looking around and putting her hands up in an I-don't-know position: I loss my daddy!#
caramama, stiffle laughter: Oh, honey. You didn't lose him. He's downstairs feeding the dog.
caramama, swooping up the Pumpkin for hugs and kisses, which are returned: I love you so much.
Pumpkin: I love you too, Mommy.
Pumpkin, after a brief pause, then leaning to the side: Can I get down now?#
----------------------
We used to listen for airplanes and trucks and other outside noises and name them all the time. However, then she started arguing with me about which noise was which, and I think I dropped the game. This morning, while brushing the Pumpkin's teeth, I heard an airplane flying outside.
caramama: Do you hear that, Pumpkin? It's an airplane!
Pumpkin: No, it's not an airplane. It's a twuck!
caramama: It's not a truck. It's an airplane.
Pumpkin: No! It's a twuck!
caramama: Whatever.
There was a pause in the conversation.
Pumpkin: Hear dat, Mommy? Dat's an airplane!#
caramama: Yes! That is an airplane.
Pumpkin: No, it's a twuck.
And at that point, I dropped it again and started brushing her teeth. I just can't believe she started it up again with the correct noise-maker just to argue with me again! I'm sure she thinks it's a fun game. I'm so not in the mood for those kinds of games these days.
----------------------
This morning we were walking downstairs, and I was wearing this really pretty white, layered maternity skirt. The Pumpkin looks at my skirt trailing a bit on the stairs as we go down.
Pumpkin: Mommy, are you a pincess?#
caramama: Why, yes. I am a princess.
Pumpkin: You are a pincess!
caramama: I am Princess Mommy! Actually, that would make me the queen. So I guess I'm a queen not a princess.
Pumpkin: A qween?
caramama: Yes, queens are the mommies of princesses. So you are the princess, and I am the queen.
Pumpkin: Yes, I am a pincess. And you are a qween!#
This is the first time I've heard the Pumpkin refer to any real person as a princess, or queen for that matter. She knows who the Disney Princesses are in general, since you can't escape their faces on all toys or cups or other kid crap. I was a fan of those princesses myself when I was younger, and there is nothing wrong with pretending to be a princess. I just want to model strong, independent princesses who can rule just as well as any man. And I want to model beautiful, strong, self-assured queens who have wonderful and supportive kings to help raise their royal brood. hehe.
----------------------
I'm not going to tell this whole conversation (which was really just the Pumpkin talking to herself), but I wanted to at least make a note of this so I don't forget. The Pumpkin was playing in the mountain of pillows on my side of the bed this morning. At one point, she slammed a fist down in one of the pillows and said what I'm 95% sure was GD. But in the very next second, she was rearranging them nicely again, saying that this one goes here and where did the other one go.
Umm, oops. I hadn't said those words this morning. But she is surely modeling behavoir that she picked up from one of her parents. And it could have been either of us, unfortunately.
Londo was just saying that she is really picking up on everything we say these days and that we need to be extra careful of what we say. Indeed we do.
The Pumpkin seems to have made a cognitive developmental leap lately. It's hard for Londo and I to pinpoint exactly what it is that's different, but we both have realized it. (I'll have to look into what's going on developmentally at this age.) What we have noticed is how she thinks about things seems slightly different, and the way she talks about things.
So here are some cute things she's said this morning and the other morning, each of which have at least something cognitively different from before this leap. I will put the pound sign (#) by things I think are new.
----------------------
The other morning when Londo was downstairs feeding the dog, the Pumpkin woke up and came into our room as always. I had been in the bathroom washing up, but I heard her, so I came out of the bathroom and smiled at her.
caramama: Good morning, Pumpkin.
Pumpkin, looking around and putting her hands up in an I-don't-know position: I loss my daddy!#
caramama, stiffle laughter: Oh, honey. You didn't lose him. He's downstairs feeding the dog.
caramama, swooping up the Pumpkin for hugs and kisses, which are returned: I love you so much.
Pumpkin: I love you too, Mommy.
Pumpkin, after a brief pause, then leaning to the side: Can I get down now?#
----------------------
We used to listen for airplanes and trucks and other outside noises and name them all the time. However, then she started arguing with me about which noise was which, and I think I dropped the game. This morning, while brushing the Pumpkin's teeth, I heard an airplane flying outside.
caramama: Do you hear that, Pumpkin? It's an airplane!
Pumpkin: No, it's not an airplane. It's a twuck!
caramama: It's not a truck. It's an airplane.
Pumpkin: No! It's a twuck!
caramama: Whatever.
There was a pause in the conversation.
Pumpkin: Hear dat, Mommy? Dat's an airplane!#
caramama: Yes! That is an airplane.
Pumpkin: No, it's a twuck.
And at that point, I dropped it again and started brushing her teeth. I just can't believe she started it up again with the correct noise-maker just to argue with me again! I'm sure she thinks it's a fun game. I'm so not in the mood for those kinds of games these days.
----------------------
This morning we were walking downstairs, and I was wearing this really pretty white, layered maternity skirt. The Pumpkin looks at my skirt trailing a bit on the stairs as we go down.
Pumpkin: Mommy, are you a pincess?#
caramama: Why, yes. I am a princess.
Pumpkin: You are a pincess!
caramama: I am Princess Mommy! Actually, that would make me the queen. So I guess I'm a queen not a princess.
Pumpkin: A qween?
caramama: Yes, queens are the mommies of princesses. So you are the princess, and I am the queen.
Pumpkin: Yes, I am a pincess. And you are a qween!#
This is the first time I've heard the Pumpkin refer to any real person as a princess, or queen for that matter. She knows who the Disney Princesses are in general, since you can't escape their faces on all toys or cups or other kid crap. I was a fan of those princesses myself when I was younger, and there is nothing wrong with pretending to be a princess. I just want to model strong, independent princesses who can rule just as well as any man. And I want to model beautiful, strong, self-assured queens who have wonderful and supportive kings to help raise their royal brood. hehe.
----------------------
I'm not going to tell this whole conversation (which was really just the Pumpkin talking to herself), but I wanted to at least make a note of this so I don't forget. The Pumpkin was playing in the mountain of pillows on my side of the bed this morning. At one point, she slammed a fist down in one of the pillows and said what I'm 95% sure was GD. But in the very next second, she was rearranging them nicely again, saying that this one goes here and where did the other one go.
Umm, oops. I hadn't said those words this morning. But she is surely modeling behavoir that she picked up from one of her parents. And it could have been either of us, unfortunately.
Londo was just saying that she is really picking up on everything we say these days and that we need to be extra careful of what we say. Indeed we do.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Let's Do That... Later...
When the Pumpkin wants to do something or go somewhere, she knows how to ask for it. When she asks, I repeat it back to her, and if she really does want that thing (rather than just saying something she thought of because it popped in her head), she says, "Okay, let's do that."
For example:
Pumpkin: Mommy, poo poo potty?
caramama: Do you have to go poo poo on the potty?
Pumpkin: Okay, let's do that.
(This is as opposed to her answering: No! No poo poo potty!)
I think this is an incredibly cute phrase for her to use, and she uses it very regularly. She most likely picked it up from me responding to her with that same phrase when she asks to do something or go somewhere. (She also says "Do it!" to herself when she is about to do something big, like jump off the bottom step. Again, I think this is from telling her to "Go ahead and do it" to let her know that I'm okay with whatever she is about to do.)
The Pumpkin asks for a lot of things these days. She knows what she wants, and she regularly demands it. Unfortunately, she can't have everything she wants at the time she wants it. This is why I LOVE the word "later."
I'm not sure she exactly gets the concept of later, but she seems to kind of understand. She knows it's not "no" but she also knows that it's not "yes, you can have that right now." Most of the time, if I tell her later, she will say, "Okay. Later." And she will usually stop asking for it (at least for a while).
For example:
Pumpkin: Mommy, go outside?
caramama: It's raining outside right now. We'll go out later.
Pumpkin: Okay. Later.
(This is as opposed to me saying "no, we can't" and her demanding: Outside! I wan (want) outside!)
Sometimes? After she's agreed to later? She forgets she about it completely and later never comes!!!
I try not to abuse the power of the word later, because it has power unlike any other word in my vocabulary for my instant-gratification demanding toddler. In fact, I usually try to do what she wants, like letting her color with crayons or giving her a cracker. There are other times, when the answer is simply "no" and I move to distract her from activities such as pulling on the lamp's electrical cord.
But then other times, when I know she really wants it, and I'm okay with it but just don't want to deal with the mess/hassle/energy required/bad timing/etc. It's those times when I pull out the power of the word LATER!
For example:
Pumpkin: Mommy, poo poo potty?
caramama: Do you have to go poo poo on the potty?
Pumpkin: Okay, let's do that.
(This is as opposed to her answering: No! No poo poo potty!)
I think this is an incredibly cute phrase for her to use, and she uses it very regularly. She most likely picked it up from me responding to her with that same phrase when she asks to do something or go somewhere. (She also says "Do it!" to herself when she is about to do something big, like jump off the bottom step. Again, I think this is from telling her to "Go ahead and do it" to let her know that I'm okay with whatever she is about to do.)
The Pumpkin asks for a lot of things these days. She knows what she wants, and she regularly demands it. Unfortunately, she can't have everything she wants at the time she wants it. This is why I LOVE the word "later."
I'm not sure she exactly gets the concept of later, but she seems to kind of understand. She knows it's not "no" but she also knows that it's not "yes, you can have that right now." Most of the time, if I tell her later, she will say, "Okay. Later." And she will usually stop asking for it (at least for a while).
For example:
Pumpkin: Mommy, go outside?
caramama: It's raining outside right now. We'll go out later.
Pumpkin: Okay. Later.
(This is as opposed to me saying "no, we can't" and her demanding: Outside! I wan (want) outside!)
Sometimes? After she's agreed to later? She forgets she about it completely and later never comes!!!
I try not to abuse the power of the word later, because it has power unlike any other word in my vocabulary for my instant-gratification demanding toddler. In fact, I usually try to do what she wants, like letting her color with crayons or giving her a cracker. There are other times, when the answer is simply "no" and I move to distract her from activities such as pulling on the lamp's electrical cord.
But then other times, when I know she really wants it, and I'm okay with it but just don't want to deal with the mess/hassle/energy required/bad timing/etc. It's those times when I pull out the power of the word LATER!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Question of the Week - My Child's a Supergenius, But...
You all know how I feel about babies/toddlers/kids all being supergeniuses. It's simply amazing the things they learn and how quickly they learn. But physically, mentally and emotionally. Really, they are all amazing.
The Pumpkin is no exception. She really is a supergenius. She has been fast to develop her motor skills and communication skills. Physically, she is currently working on jumping, which is soooooo cute. She bends her knees and then straightens them, getting a little lift off the ground, although it's usually one foot and then the other. Sometimes she gets both off the ground at the same time! And then she says, "Good jump!"
As for verbal skills, she has had word explosion after explosion. I could not possibly count all the words she has, but let me tell you a story of a walk Londo, the Pumpkin and I took a couple weeks ago, in which Londo and I had just been talking about how she picks up just about every word we say:
Pumpkin: Look at the tree!
caramama: Actually, that's a bush.
Pumpkin: Bush!
caramama to Londo: She's like a sponge.
Pumpkin: Spone (sponge).
Londo: That's irony.
Pumpkin: I-o-e (irony).
But that's not what this post is supposed to be about. Yes, my child is a supergenius. And yours is too. That's a given. But each child doesn't develop ahead of the curve in every area. I'm afraid that always talking about how great they are at this and that gives the impression that there aren't struggles, that everyone else's kids are all advanced in every way. I'm afraid that that might make some parents feel bad about their kids who don't develop as fast in some areas or have real delays. So in an effort to help us all realize that each supergenius also has struggles, today's question of the day is:
In what areas does your child not develop as fast as you expected?
I've been pretty vocal about my daughter's problems learning to self-soothe and sleep well. She's just not good at either. However, there is another area that I don't think I've talked about much that has surprised me.
Since the Pumpkin has started to play with toys and read (okay listen to) books, she seems to do better with toys and books geared towards children younger than her age.
For example, she is currently almost 21 months and I just pulled out some older toys we had put away for a while (we try to rotate toys), and she is really getting into some of the toys with the label for 12 months and up. She was not interested in these toys at 12 months. And at 12 months and a bit older, she was starting to get into toys labeled for 6 months and up.
As for books, she still cannot handle books with long text or with paper pages, since she will rip them. She prefers books that are more interactive, with tabs and things to touch and feel. Yet I remember hanging out over the summer with a friend and her daughter who was about 17 months, and her daughter would sit still on her lap and listed to long pages of text in paper books and want to hear them again and again. My friend tried to read the same books to my child (at the time about 15 months), and she got bored very quickly, got off her lap, and started to climb on things.
I'm not concerned that she is delayed in any way. She is just developing these skills in her own time. Really it's her personality too. Anything that she has to sit still for is not something she gets that into. Yesterday, I tried her with big lego-like toys, which she was okay with, but she had more fun picking it up and pulling it apart while walking around. She just isn't a sit-still-and-figure-it-out kind of girl. She is a climber and a talker, though!
What about your child? Is there an area that you were surprised about his/her development? What does your supergenius struggle with?
The Pumpkin is no exception. She really is a supergenius. She has been fast to develop her motor skills and communication skills. Physically, she is currently working on jumping, which is soooooo cute. She bends her knees and then straightens them, getting a little lift off the ground, although it's usually one foot and then the other. Sometimes she gets both off the ground at the same time! And then she says, "Good jump!"
As for verbal skills, she has had word explosion after explosion. I could not possibly count all the words she has, but let me tell you a story of a walk Londo, the Pumpkin and I took a couple weeks ago, in which Londo and I had just been talking about how she picks up just about every word we say:
Pumpkin: Look at the tree!
caramama: Actually, that's a bush.
Pumpkin: Bush!
caramama to Londo: She's like a sponge.
Pumpkin: Spone (sponge).
Londo: That's irony.
Pumpkin: I-o-e (irony).
But that's not what this post is supposed to be about. Yes, my child is a supergenius. And yours is too. That's a given. But each child doesn't develop ahead of the curve in every area. I'm afraid that always talking about how great they are at this and that gives the impression that there aren't struggles, that everyone else's kids are all advanced in every way. I'm afraid that that might make some parents feel bad about their kids who don't develop as fast in some areas or have real delays. So in an effort to help us all realize that each supergenius also has struggles, today's question of the day is:
In what areas does your child not develop as fast as you expected?
I've been pretty vocal about my daughter's problems learning to self-soothe and sleep well. She's just not good at either. However, there is another area that I don't think I've talked about much that has surprised me.
Since the Pumpkin has started to play with toys and read (okay listen to) books, she seems to do better with toys and books geared towards children younger than her age.
For example, she is currently almost 21 months and I just pulled out some older toys we had put away for a while (we try to rotate toys), and she is really getting into some of the toys with the label for 12 months and up. She was not interested in these toys at 12 months. And at 12 months and a bit older, she was starting to get into toys labeled for 6 months and up.
As for books, she still cannot handle books with long text or with paper pages, since she will rip them. She prefers books that are more interactive, with tabs and things to touch and feel. Yet I remember hanging out over the summer with a friend and her daughter who was about 17 months, and her daughter would sit still on her lap and listed to long pages of text in paper books and want to hear them again and again. My friend tried to read the same books to my child (at the time about 15 months), and she got bored very quickly, got off her lap, and started to climb on things.
I'm not concerned that she is delayed in any way. She is just developing these skills in her own time. Really it's her personality too. Anything that she has to sit still for is not something she gets that into. Yesterday, I tried her with big lego-like toys, which she was okay with, but she had more fun picking it up and pulling it apart while walking around. She just isn't a sit-still-and-figure-it-out kind of girl. She is a climber and a talker, though!
What about your child? Is there an area that you were surprised about his/her development? What does your supergenius struggle with?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Vacation Highlights
Besides the lovely weather, there were a lot of great things about my vacation. Most of them (maybe all) directly related to my adventurous and active toddler. Here are a few:
- We were on the second floor of the hotel and took the elevator up and down multiple times a day. The Pumpkin called it the "elegator," which I truly hope she did not confuse with alligators. I do not want her to walk into their open mouths! Also, she loved to push the buttons for the elegator, and she was really good about only pushing the one we pointed to.
- I'm happy to report that so far the Pumpkin is a happy beach girl. This would be the third trip to the beach in her life, and each time has gone well. This time was especially good, because she is old enough to really enjoy it. She digs in the sand, she laughs as the surf hits her feet, she tries to go into the water farther (holding my hand at all times near the water), she picks up handfuls of wet sand and looks for shells, and she sits in the water left behind by the receeding tide and plays with her buckets and shovels. Also, she got a kick out of stomping in the water when I sang "If you're happy and you know it stomp your feet."
- The place where we stayed was really a resort area. This meant that things were expensive, but they were also very nice. (Thank goodness for the Hilton points my parents had saved up!) The Pumpkin did well at the couple of nice restaurants we went to, and I enjoyed some good meals.
- The plane rides went really well. I'm really glad that she did so well. Minimum fussing and no real screaming. All the tricks everyone told me really helped.
- I discovered that sometimes, when the Pumpkin can't reach my hair (like in her carseat on the plane), she will settle for the hair of a My Little Pony. But if my hair is at all an option, she still wants it during every bottle, when falling asleep and when she needs comfort. My hair is getting really sensitive to all the tugging and twisting. I'm hoping she will start going for the My Little Pony more and more.
- We are now on cold bottles and lying down in bed to fall alseep with the bottle for both naps and bedtime. These were just easier on vacation, and really it's time to start transitioning. I don't think Londo was ready for it, but I feel like it's probably past time and she seems to be handling it well.
- My parents got to spent a lot of quality time with the Pumpkin and really see how much personality she has now! Also, she is talking even more than she was the previous week, with new concepts and whole sentences. My parents are amazed and really enjoyed her.
I'm sure there are more, but that's all I've got for now. It really was a great vacation. It's hard to come back, but at least it's a short week.
- We were on the second floor of the hotel and took the elevator up and down multiple times a day. The Pumpkin called it the "elegator," which I truly hope she did not confuse with alligators. I do not want her to walk into their open mouths! Also, she loved to push the buttons for the elegator, and she was really good about only pushing the one we pointed to.
- I'm happy to report that so far the Pumpkin is a happy beach girl. This would be the third trip to the beach in her life, and each time has gone well. This time was especially good, because she is old enough to really enjoy it. She digs in the sand, she laughs as the surf hits her feet, she tries to go into the water farther (holding my hand at all times near the water), she picks up handfuls of wet sand and looks for shells, and she sits in the water left behind by the receeding tide and plays with her buckets and shovels. Also, she got a kick out of stomping in the water when I sang "If you're happy and you know it stomp your feet."
- The place where we stayed was really a resort area. This meant that things were expensive, but they were also very nice. (Thank goodness for the Hilton points my parents had saved up!) The Pumpkin did well at the couple of nice restaurants we went to, and I enjoyed some good meals.
- The plane rides went really well. I'm really glad that she did so well. Minimum fussing and no real screaming. All the tricks everyone told me really helped.
- I discovered that sometimes, when the Pumpkin can't reach my hair (like in her carseat on the plane), she will settle for the hair of a My Little Pony. But if my hair is at all an option, she still wants it during every bottle, when falling asleep and when she needs comfort. My hair is getting really sensitive to all the tugging and twisting. I'm hoping she will start going for the My Little Pony more and more.
- We are now on cold bottles and lying down in bed to fall alseep with the bottle for both naps and bedtime. These were just easier on vacation, and really it's time to start transitioning. I don't think Londo was ready for it, but I feel like it's probably past time and she seems to be handling it well.
- My parents got to spent a lot of quality time with the Pumpkin and really see how much personality she has now! Also, she is talking even more than she was the previous week, with new concepts and whole sentences. My parents are amazed and really enjoyed her.
I'm sure there are more, but that's all I've got for now. It really was a great vacation. It's hard to come back, but at least it's a short week.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Supergenius Knows Her Diaper
The Pumpkin wears Huggies Overnites diapers to bed. These diapers have Mickey Mouse is on the diaper, which she and I have talked about before. (Click here and look at the size 5 diapers to see the picture that we talk about.) So last night, as I'm putting her diaper on, and we have this conversation:
Pumpkin: Mouse!
caramama: Yes, that's Mickey Mouse on your diaper. What's he doing?
Pumpkin: Mouse seeping. (Mouse is sleeping.)
caramama: That's right! And who is with him?
Pumpkin: Teddy bear!
caramama: That's right! You are so smart!
I still can't get over that I can ask her real questions and she can answer. It really just floors me. While she's not ahead of all milestones, she really is quite amazing with her communication skills. In fact, recently a friend mentioned that she keeps thinking that the Pumpkin is older than she really is. I said that it was probably because she is so ahead with talking. Londo looked at me and asked, "Really?" I just nodded and said, "Oh, yeah. Most kids have some words and phrases right now but don't communicate as well as our girl. This is just an area that she happens to be ahead in." (I want to be sure I set his expectations for any future kids, as well as friends and relatives kids.)
I've got a post I'm working on in which I'm going to list a bunch of cute things we taught her to say, some that we didn't teach her, and some that she taught us. I'll probably post that next week.
I also have another post in which I want to note the areas in which the Pumpkin isn't up to or ahead of the milestones (besides sleep and self-soothing), because she has those areas too. Although she is a supergenius!
Pumpkin: Mouse!
caramama: Yes, that's Mickey Mouse on your diaper. What's he doing?
Pumpkin: Mouse seeping. (Mouse is sleeping.)
caramama: That's right! And who is with him?
Pumpkin: Teddy bear!
caramama: That's right! You are so smart!
I still can't get over that I can ask her real questions and she can answer. It really just floors me. While she's not ahead of all milestones, she really is quite amazing with her communication skills. In fact, recently a friend mentioned that she keeps thinking that the Pumpkin is older than she really is. I said that it was probably because she is so ahead with talking. Londo looked at me and asked, "Really?" I just nodded and said, "Oh, yeah. Most kids have some words and phrases right now but don't communicate as well as our girl. This is just an area that she happens to be ahead in." (I want to be sure I set his expectations for any future kids, as well as friends and relatives kids.)
I've got a post I'm working on in which I'm going to list a bunch of cute things we taught her to say, some that we didn't teach her, and some that she taught us. I'll probably post that next week.
I also have another post in which I want to note the areas in which the Pumpkin isn't up to or ahead of the milestones (besides sleep and self-soothing), because she has those areas too. Although she is a supergenius!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Question of the Week - Learning Languages
I spent all day today at the DC BlogHer conference, which was totally awesome! I will blog all about it after I've had some time to let it sink in.
I have had the pleasure of viewing, and reviewing on my review blog, Baby Signing Time Volume 3 and Volume 4! I couldn't be more excited about these DVDs, and if you are at all interested, please check out my review and the DVDs.
Teaching babies and toddlers to sign is really teaching them another language, as well as providing them another form of communication to ease up on their (and the parents') frustrations. I think it's so important to teach kids how to communicate, especially in more than one language. If you start teaching another language at a young age, they are more likely to pick up language even as they get older. And in today's globalized world, that is an increasingly important skill.
Which is why this week's question is:
If you could teach your child to be fluent (or you yourself be fluent) in any language, what would it be?
Is it obvious from my blog that I would love for the Pumpkin to learn italian and that I wish I was still fluent in it? I have bought board books in italian, which I read to the Pumpkin so she can hear the words and I can brush up on the language I love so much. I hope to do more with her as the years go on. I think it would be especially neat to be able to talk to my child and future children in a language that not everyone around us understands... even if spanish might be more useful in this country.
A close second for me is sign language. I would love for the Pumpkin and myself to be fluent in sign language. I have such respect for the language and form of communication. We are well on our way, thanks to Baby Signing Time and other resources, such as the ASL browser.
How about you? I know a few of you already so speak other languages with your children, either because you live in other countries or are fluent in other languages. Which are they and why are you glad you are teaching your children those languages? And what about those of you who speak only english? Do you wish you and/or your children could speak other languages?
I have had the pleasure of viewing, and reviewing on my review blog, Baby Signing Time Volume 3 and Volume 4! I couldn't be more excited about these DVDs, and if you are at all interested, please check out my review and the DVDs.
Teaching babies and toddlers to sign is really teaching them another language, as well as providing them another form of communication to ease up on their (and the parents') frustrations. I think it's so important to teach kids how to communicate, especially in more than one language. If you start teaching another language at a young age, they are more likely to pick up language even as they get older. And in today's globalized world, that is an increasingly important skill.
Which is why this week's question is:
If you could teach your child to be fluent (or you yourself be fluent) in any language, what would it be?
Is it obvious from my blog that I would love for the Pumpkin to learn italian and that I wish I was still fluent in it? I have bought board books in italian, which I read to the Pumpkin so she can hear the words and I can brush up on the language I love so much. I hope to do more with her as the years go on. I think it would be especially neat to be able to talk to my child and future children in a language that not everyone around us understands... even if spanish might be more useful in this country.
A close second for me is sign language. I would love for the Pumpkin and myself to be fluent in sign language. I have such respect for the language and form of communication. We are well on our way, thanks to Baby Signing Time and other resources, such as the ASL browser.
How about you? I know a few of you already so speak other languages with your children, either because you live in other countries or are fluent in other languages. Which are they and why are you glad you are teaching your children those languages? And what about those of you who speak only english? Do you wish you and/or your children could speak other languages?
Friday, September 26, 2008
The New Alphabet
The Pumpkin loves songs and music. Over the last few months, she also loves to sing parts of songs with us, usually the last word of the line. But there is one song that she LOVES above all others lately. And she sings it on her own all the time. It's the alphabet song!
She will look up at me and say, "Mama? A, B, C?" To which I reply, "Go ahead and you sing it." And then she proceeds to sing it to the best of her ability.
Her ability to sing it has gotten so much better over the last few weeks, too. Not that long ago, she was singing it in all sorts variations. Some variations took twice as long as the real song. For a while, most variations included 4, which of course is not a letter. And some variations drifted off into Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star--an easy mistake because they are set to the same tune.
But now, she's got pretty much the same song she sings. It goes like this: "A, B, C, I, K, Mono, Mono, P, Why-oh-why, Dupple, Eck, Z!"
And we clap and laugh. Then she says, "Again?"
She will look up at me and say, "Mama? A, B, C?" To which I reply, "Go ahead and you sing it." And then she proceeds to sing it to the best of her ability.
Her ability to sing it has gotten so much better over the last few weeks, too. Not that long ago, she was singing it in all sorts variations. Some variations took twice as long as the real song. For a while, most variations included 4, which of course is not a letter. And some variations drifted off into Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star--an easy mistake because they are set to the same tune.
But now, she's got pretty much the same song she sings. It goes like this: "A, B, C, I, K, Mono, Mono, P, Why-oh-why, Dupple, Eck, Z!"
And we clap and laugh. Then she says, "Again?"
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Cara Figlia - 18 Months Old
Cara mia ragazzina,
Last Thursday, you turned 18 months old. That is a year and a half! You are now closer to 2 years old than you are to 1. Time has just been flying by overall. And you are growing so quickly, I feel like I can barely keep up.
You are talking so much, and running and climbing too. You are discovering more and more every day. You are capable of things now that you couldn't do even weeks before. For example, in the past few days you figured out how to put the rings on the toy that you couldn't quite figure out even a week ago. I just know that within a few more days of working on the shape sorter you will have it figured out, too.
Last week, you slept through the night 6 nights in a row! We were so relieved to have a break. We didn't think it would last, since none of the other phases where you sleep through the night have lasted. One was for about a month, but usually it's about a week or a few days. And sure enough, the past two nights you have been awake and obviously uncomfortable and unhappy. So your daddy and I are back to cosleeping until morning. This is not so bad on the weekend mornings, but I hope that you go back to sleeping through the night now that it's a week night. It's just so much easier for Mama and Daddy to get ready in the mornings by ourselves with you sleeping in your crib.
I think it's those last two molars still working their way down. One edge of those big teeth are just poking through, and there is a whole lot more teeth to come out. But once those are in, you should have all your teeth for a while. As Daddy pointed out recently, you've been teething since 3.5 months. That's a long time, and you are not an easy teether!
But you are absolutely adorable and happy and active and fun and funny. You are also fussy and demanding and tantrum-throwing and whiny and frustrating. You have your own personality, your own likes and dislikes, and your own ideas. It's amazing to watch you grow and see how your personality develops. Your personality traits have been pretty obvious to your daddy and I since your birth, but it still amazes us to watch how the world around you shapes your personality even more. I hope we are helping you and guiding you in ways you that you will appreciate.
These last 18 months have been the most amazing and most difficult of my entire life. And they have been, without a doubt, the best 18 months of my life. Grazie, mia carina. Thank you, my little darling. Thank you for being my beautiful little girl, and thank you for a wonderful year and a half.
Ti amo con tutti cuore,
Mama
Last Thursday, you turned 18 months old. That is a year and a half! You are now closer to 2 years old than you are to 1. Time has just been flying by overall. And you are growing so quickly, I feel like I can barely keep up.
You are talking so much, and running and climbing too. You are discovering more and more every day. You are capable of things now that you couldn't do even weeks before. For example, in the past few days you figured out how to put the rings on the toy that you couldn't quite figure out even a week ago. I just know that within a few more days of working on the shape sorter you will have it figured out, too.
Last week, you slept through the night 6 nights in a row! We were so relieved to have a break. We didn't think it would last, since none of the other phases where you sleep through the night have lasted. One was for about a month, but usually it's about a week or a few days. And sure enough, the past two nights you have been awake and obviously uncomfortable and unhappy. So your daddy and I are back to cosleeping until morning. This is not so bad on the weekend mornings, but I hope that you go back to sleeping through the night now that it's a week night. It's just so much easier for Mama and Daddy to get ready in the mornings by ourselves with you sleeping in your crib.
I think it's those last two molars still working their way down. One edge of those big teeth are just poking through, and there is a whole lot more teeth to come out. But once those are in, you should have all your teeth for a while. As Daddy pointed out recently, you've been teething since 3.5 months. That's a long time, and you are not an easy teether!
But you are absolutely adorable and happy and active and fun and funny. You are also fussy and demanding and tantrum-throwing and whiny and frustrating. You have your own personality, your own likes and dislikes, and your own ideas. It's amazing to watch you grow and see how your personality develops. Your personality traits have been pretty obvious to your daddy and I since your birth, but it still amazes us to watch how the world around you shapes your personality even more. I hope we are helping you and guiding you in ways you that you will appreciate.
These last 18 months have been the most amazing and most difficult of my entire life. And they have been, without a doubt, the best 18 months of my life. Grazie, mia carina. Thank you, my little darling. Thank you for being my beautiful little girl, and thank you for a wonderful year and a half.
Ti amo con tutti cuore,
Mama
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Pumpkinisms
First of all, let me just say how surprised I am that when I asked a bunch of internetters who read my blog what they couldn't live without, the majority of you answered The Internet! I'm shocked! Truly, that's just so out of left field! Who would have guessed?
*snicker*
And now to make me feel better after having gotten my arm stuck with a needle this morning and 6 vials of blood taken (but at least we'll know for sure that I'm still immune to chicken pox and rubella!), I'm going to regale you with some cute Pumpkinisms.
---------------------------
On Sunday, I pulled out my old hair clips that I'm obviously too old for now, and I sat down with the Pumpkin to play with them. She loved the glittery little butterfly clips in a rainbow of colors (totally 90s, but I loved them). She kept handing me ones, and I kept putting them in her hair. They didn't last too long in her hair, but now she is always asking for them.
Best part? She says the word butterfly like this "wobberwhy."
---------------------------
The Pumpkin is a huggy girl, and she often asks Mama and Daddy for hugs. (Also loves to hug the dog, which is super cute.) Lately, she's stuck an "a" sound in between the word hug and who she's asking for the hug. So she says, "Hug-a-Mama?" or "Hug-a-Daddy?"
I keep thinking it's like Whac-a-Mole, but with more love.
---------------------------
She is still pretending to sleep (and fall down), but she's added a new action to the sleeping. Now, once she says "Pumpkin seepin" and lies down, she reaches an hand around and rubs her back. So she must like the back rubbing a little, even though she will often push my hand away if I'm really trying to get her to go to sleep.
*snicker*
And now to make me feel better after having gotten my arm stuck with a needle this morning and 6 vials of blood taken (but at least we'll know for sure that I'm still immune to chicken pox and rubella!), I'm going to regale you with some cute Pumpkinisms.
---------------------------
On Sunday, I pulled out my old hair clips that I'm obviously too old for now, and I sat down with the Pumpkin to play with them. She loved the glittery little butterfly clips in a rainbow of colors (totally 90s, but I loved them). She kept handing me ones, and I kept putting them in her hair. They didn't last too long in her hair, but now she is always asking for them.
Best part? She says the word butterfly like this "wobberwhy."
---------------------------
The Pumpkin is a huggy girl, and she often asks Mama and Daddy for hugs. (Also loves to hug the dog, which is super cute.) Lately, she's stuck an "a" sound in between the word hug and who she's asking for the hug. So she says, "Hug-a-Mama?" or "Hug-a-Daddy?"
I keep thinking it's like Whac-a-Mole, but with more love.
---------------------------
She is still pretending to sleep (and fall down), but she's added a new action to the sleeping. Now, once she says "Pumpkin seepin" and lies down, she reaches an hand around and rubs her back. So she must like the back rubbing a little, even though she will often push my hand away if I'm really trying to get her to go to sleep.
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