Monday, July 21, 2008

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Last week I mentioned what a good mommy Esmé (at 15 months)is. I really think she gets it! As she wrapped her doll in a blanket, she pointed to herself and proudly said "Mamma."

Just another reminder of how much mothers are role models - our babies want to be just like us in so many ways.
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The other thing that is scary is how much she understands. A Bible CD was playing the story of the Prodigal Son. As it mentioned the father running to kiss the returning son, Esmé ran up to me and gave me a big kiss! So sweet.

She understands almost everything we tell her to do. My worry is that she understands everything we say to others that is not intended for her ears!
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And this self-sufficiency thing is exciting - almost painful - to watch! Esmé has been insisting on feeding herself for a while. Often I would try to feed her and assume she didn't like a particular food, only to realize later that she liked it just fine, as long as she was holding the spoon. Makes for messy mealtimes, but that's all part of mommyhood, I know.

She has occasionally fought getting dressed, making me wonder if it was the texture of the clothing, or if she was hot, etc. It's been getting worse, though. And I finally realized that she's perfectly happy as soon as I give her the clothing and let her try to put it on herself. She actually did get her pants on partway with legs in the right places, and is quite capable of pulling shirts over her head. Though I crack up when she runs around the house with her onesie pulled on upside down and wrapped around her head like a helmet!

Just yesterday I was helping Esmé down the stairs as I usually do, supporting most of her weight while letting her step down. She can handle small steps fine, but has always needed help on the regular-sized steps. This time, she stopped after a few steps, and just smiled at me. I tried to prod her to keep going (got a schedule to keep, after all). Finally, I just let go of her, and she quickly went the next step all by herself, no sitting down or anything. She went the rest of the 18 steps by herself, though I did rescue her on a couple of stumbles.

And she's finally big enough to sit down in her own chair all by herself! She has a camp chair Ouma gave her last Christmas, and it's so cute watching her flop back into it when she wants a sitting break - just kicking back!
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We are currently on an airplane (or "uhpane") kick. Just mention the word, and Esmé immediately points up, running for the door to see if there is one outside.
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Can't end this without listing a few new words in her vocabulary:

  • Come
  • Sit (accompanied by a pat on the spot next to her)
  • Eat (as in "I don't want this food - YOU eat it!")
  • Off (as in "Get me OFF this bed now!")
  • Nan (for banana)
  • Apple (can do this in sign language, too)
  • Airplane

It's not just your imagination - along with "open," "close," "up," and "out," she's mastered a lot of command words! My baby is quite capable of one-word sentences . . .

13 comments:

KathyLikesPink said...

Ahh, command words...welcome to the "two's"! Although mostlyl mine used "NO!"

Islove that she says "Sit" and pats the spot next to her. SO CUTE!!

Anonymous said...

It is amazing how much little ones understand...and amazing how they pick it up.

Anonymous said...

They understand so much!

Elizabeth Byler Younts said...

so great...sweet memories to keep for a lifetime!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog!!! It is so nice to meet you! Your babe is so adorable!!!

Genny said...

What a smart little girl you have! And independent, too. That is wonderful.

Thanks for stopping by, and for your sweet words!

Andrea said...

I know!! I worry about how much Tate understands of stuff that isn't intended for him to hear too!! He understand almost everything I say to HIM, so he probably understand more than I think he does of other stuff I say to other people too! Yikes! And we are also on an airplane (and car and truck!) kick here. ;)

mattpatt said...

Just wait until they're teenagers!!!!

As a dad with two teenage girls - I grayed far too prematurely! ;-)

Blessings,

Matt

Danielle said...

she is quite independent! and adorable too. I think Eliza will be the same way- wanting to do everything herself.

Stephanie said...

Isn't it funny how much they understand at such a young age! We'll tell Jules to go get her shoes out of the garage, and she'll do it. However, she somehow doesn't seem to *understand* when we tell her she can't eat candy for dinner. Selective hearing already!

We are going through the self-feeding too, and it's funny, but like you said, Very Messy! I'll be happy when we can start adding soup back into our meal time because right now it doesn't make it into her mouth at all.

Jackie said...

These little ones are so brilliant, I think sometimes far more than we know. It's amazing to here the things that come out of their little mouths or see the wheels in their heads turning as they put it all together.

So glad you stopped by! I'll be back to visit!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Oh, she is getting so big. It is amazing what they understand even when they can't communicate it all.

Nell said...

LOL I love that the word eat means you eat it! lol