S was not a talker. I know you may find that hard to believe because she pretty much goes at it nonstop now, but seriously. Her pediatrician thought she might have some speech issues because she didn't talk. We taught her some sign language and that helped her communicate better, but she was a late talker.
C is pretty on-target. She says mama, dada, no, ew, yah, poop (sounds like pop), sssss (for sissy, what we call S and vice versa), apple, water. She signs quite a few things like milk, eat, cracker, all done, banana, hat, bird, love... and probably some other things I can't rightly think of at the moment.
But she also babbles. And when I say babbles, I mean she is seriously having a conversation with you and you need to understand her.
C: Blarsh fleeps pshhh mayambls snewwnup.
Me: You know, I thought that at one time, too.
C: Shwlui hniao blasumb wiaps hhbniwm.
M: Really? I hadn't thought of it that way!
C: (with urgency) Schneeop nisdenmth!
M: Ooh! Let me get right on that, ma'am!
This girl babbles like it's her own language of Babelish, and this is a foreign thing for me. I've never, ever used "babytalk" to my girls. I find it annoying and stupid. I'm not saying I haven't talked regular English in strange Mommy-tone, but it's always been real words. And never, EVER the word "snookum-kins."
So tonight we had read our story (Sandra Boynton's Hey! Wake Up!) and she was just laying on me, drinking her milk and chatting away with me. I think I heard her mention something about taking the car out for a spin by herself tomorrow but having issues reaching the pedals - but I can't be quoted on that, it was a little jumbled since she was tired.
So I brushed her teeth, without incident (a feat in and of itself!), and turned out the light. She babbled through both of these activities as if to say, "Sorry, Mom. You are not going to get me to shut up! Hah!"
I laid her down in her bed, covered her up with her super soft minky blanket, stroked her head and hair, and whispered "Goodnight, baby bird."
Then she did the sign for bird to me.
There are few things in this world that melt my heart like that. The best part of watching a baby grow, in my humble opinion, is watching them make those connections. That "mama" isn't just a word, that it is someone. That the sign for "banana" isn't just arm movement, it's a fruit that they love. It's sitting at the table, starting dinner, and turning to me and saying "Dadaaaa!!" when she hears the front door unlock and Daddy step through the threshold.
Welcome to parenthood, enjoy the ride.
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