Whatchu Talking Bout, Willis?

What exactly are we talking about in our house? All sort of randomness.

• Nicknames. Any time I say to AK, "Hi Peanut!" She looks my right in the eye and responds, "I NOT a peanut! I a monkey!" More like a constant explosion of random energy!
• Reading. For Chanukah we bought her a Kumon workbook and every night the Hoos does a few pages with her at bed time. They are getting to the end now and she is sounding out words! It is awesome. We are all crazy proud, especially the Hoos. I can't even imagine how amazing it will be when she starts REALLY reading.
• Tuh-Vee (aka TV). This morning the girls had a school delay, so we got to see all sorts of TV shows that we have never before noticed. This included cartoons on the Spanish language channel, and In the Night Garden, which AK noted was "like Teletubbies." (aka mind-numbing and a bit creepy).
• Worrying. Today LP told me "Teachers worry about my friends. Kids are not supposed to worry about each other. We can worry about teachers if they are hurt or something, like the other day, Miss Natalie dropped something during circle time and I turned around right away and said 'Miss Natalie! Are you okay?' and all my friends turned around like this 'WHAA!?'" Soo...guess whose kid is a busybody?
• Sisneyworld! The girls continue to be super excited about our trip. We made a paper chain using Mickey Mouse paint sample cards we absconded with from Home Depot. I didn't feel comfortable taking more than 40 (!!, I know) so we can't start removing "links" right yet, but we needed to make it or the girls would explode.

Really? TWO Chatterboxes?

When I was pregnant with AK, I recall a lot of people confirming through anecdotes the conventional wisdom that not only are siblings nothing alike, they are most likely polar opposites.

With me and my brother this seems to be the case, although I am sure we have a few things in common beyond our lineage. For example, we both have two daughters. And, umm...college degrees...and, well, you get the point.

I was completely prepared for AK and LP to be two completely different children. When AK was born with dark curls and scrawny limbs, it solidified the situation in my mind. And, beyond looks, they are indeed quite different. AK is fearless. LP is cautious. AK eats just about anything you put in front of her (or more likely in front of me). LP is the carb queen, enjoying pasta with reckless abandon and not much else.

One area where they are absolutely and completely IDENTICAL is in the talking department. Seriously, when they are both around you can not have a minute of peace. If one isn't talking, the other is - or more likely if one is talking, they both are.

Last night was a perfect example of the similarities and the differences.

LP came running into the kitchen to tell me that Vidia, from the Tinkerbell movie, was not being very nice and she didn't want to watch. I told her that Vidia was not a very nice person and that we like nice people. "Right. We like nice people. Like Geoff and Carina [our neighbors]. They don't litter. Now will you come watch this scary part with me?"

AK came running in shortly thereafter, "Mommy, I want some Poppy Joe. In a bowl. While I watch Tinkerbell on tele-vision." She returned to the living room with her bowl of sloppy Joe meat to protect her sister from uncomfortable scenes of Vidia not being nice to Tinkerbell.

To be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Oh, except the other day when we ran into a co-worker of the Hoos' and his family. They had their adorable 8-month old son and he LOVED AK. He would smile and gurgle any time he looked at her. At some point she turned to me and said, "Mommy, the baby is black." When I ignored her she just kept repeating it louder.

My Squeaky Wheel

Actually, I have more than one squeaky wheel, I now have two, very adorable, but indeed quite squeaky, little wheels.

LP, when she is supposed to be in bed: I need something to snuggle with.
The Hoos: How about a cuddly friend?
LP: Something REAL.
The Hoos: You want one of our goldfish?
LP: Nooo, Daddy! Then I will just have a dead fish in my bed!
.............................................................................................................
AK, when she is supposed to be in bed: I have to pee.
Me: Okay, let's go to the bathroom.
AK: Noooo, Mommy! You wait here! In my room!
Me: Let me just turn on the light.
After I turn on the light, she walks me back to her room and returns to the bathroom.
AK toddles off again and I follow her, watching in a mirror as she climbs up onto the toilet.
She then spots me, and starts climbing back down. I retreat into my bedroom and watch as she swishes past me, pull-up and pants at her ankles.
.............................................................................................................
LP, sitting in the main part of the grocery start with AK in the basket: Mommy, you should get pregnant again.
Me: Oh yeah? Why is that?
LP: So that [AK] can sit in here with me and the baby can sit in the front part.

Because filling up the grocery cart with kids is exactly the right reason to have another child. Especially since one more child would mean there would never, ever be silence again.

Need(le)

LP, holding herself: "Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom"

Me, in the middle of eating dinner: "So go."

LP, more insistently: "I want you to come with me."

Me, standing up, sighing: "Let's go."

LP, stabbing me in the heart: "Mommy, when I get big, I won't need you any more."

Me, dying a bit on the inside: "Big? You mean like me?"

LP, twisting the knife: "Big. Like kindergarten."

Me, holding out hope: "Won't you still need me to drive you places?"

LP, indicating our surroundings: "But I won't need you for, like, this."

Later, still sitting in the bathroom.

Me, clipping LP's toenails: "Stop moving!"

LP: "Don't cut my skin."

Me, getting frustrated: "I won't! Hold still!"

LP, channeling the Hoos: "Don't cut my skin...dammit!"

Just Nod and Walk Away

AK's new thing? Instead of saying "Yes" when responding affirmatively to a question she very clearly says"Yup!"

Another new thing that she does constantly causes confusion.

Me: "Do you want some cheese?"

AK: "No."

Me, repeating, "Okay, so you don't want cheese?"

AK: "Yup."

Writing this out, I realize it is obvious that she is responding to my follow up question accurately, but in practice I get all fatumuled and then think I am supposed to give her cheese. Because most people would respond "No," to the follow up question (reinforcing their first statement), but she takes me literally.

My point? Despite her lazy speech, the kid is smart. Real smart. And I am screwed.

No Secrets

As the Hoos and I watch AK develop and grow, we struggle to remember LP achieving the same milestones. Without the evidence of my blog, I think we would swear that LP was born talking. She is a sponge, using words I didn't realize she knew and sharing facts and information at opportune and inopportune times.

For example, yesterday, she had lengthy phone conversations (from the pot, natch) with both the Hoos and my parents. Fortunately, our household secrets were not part of the equation - for once.

"Leo asks me to sit next to him. And I say 'okay, Leo, but you can't hit me or push me or pinch me' and he says that he won't, but THEN HE DOES! Every morning Leo's mom says to him, 'Leo, be a good boy today.' But it doesn't work!"

For the record, AK also talks incessantly. We do not always understand her, but she definitely thinks she is saying something that I should understand, as she will repeat phrases until I figure out what she means. Part of the challenge is that we continue to try to compare LP's and AK's development. I know we shouldn't, especially with our awful memories, but it is the only hands-on kid knowledge that we have. With AK's history of ear infections, we are not sure if it is impacting her speech as her pronunciation is far from perfect - is it a development thing or a delay? (ACK! Too much thinking!) Who know?

Yesterday, we went to the ENT to discuss the possibility of getting tubes for AK. At this point we can continue to wait and see if she will need them and not worry about any permanent damage to her speech and hearing. A reasonable approach since we have had a decent amount of time since her last infection and her nightly Claritin regimen seems to be keeping infections at bay.

Alas, tubes or any other solution won't impact her volume control. It is just a toddler thing. A horrible, unpleasant toddler thing. No one likes hearing "MOMMMMYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!" screeched at the top of their kid's lungs. Even if she does do it to the tune of Tarzan's "Ahhhhhhhh-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-aaahhhhhhhhh" call. Hoping that will go away when I can understand her better...

Chatterbox

Word on the street is that second children tend to be more reserved and later to speak than their older siblings. This is often the result of the big brother or sister speaking on behalf of the little one or just plain talking louder. Couple this with the fact that, once you have two children, you are more distracted, so as a parent you read less to, and likely focus less attention on, your new addition than you did on your firstborn.

So far this hypothesis does not appear to be holding true for AK. She has been talking up a storm lately and has way more words that we give her credit for. Five new words pop up every day - from "umbrella" and "bird" yesterday to "Melmo" - her favorite Sesame Street character. In addition, she is a voracious reader. I have to "read" at least four books a night to her. Fortunately, this mostly involves looking at the pictures and asking her to show me something in particular. And man, if she isn't spot on every time!

Watching AK do things - like removing her shoes and socks and tucking her socks into her sneakers - really brings back memories of LP starting to do the same things. Then again, they are really very different. Even looking back on my post from almost exactly two years ago when LP was going on antibiotics for the FIRST time. AK definitely has her beat on that front!

In terms of personality, LP has always been quite social and she definitely has a "mothering" instinct. She always tries to take care of her friends and we frequently get notes on her daily sheet that say she was a good helper to her friends and teachers. AK is more focused on herself. And being an entertainer. She is incredibly silly and she loves attention. And she has no fear - not of hurting herself, or animals, or food. This is quite different from LP, but I can't recall if that set in later.

In fact, instead of being outshone by her big sister, I think AK is challenged by her. In reality, AK thinks she is three and a half. She walks into LP's classroom like she owns the joint and seeks out activities or toys. AK wants to do everything like LP, from putting on LP's coat and hat to eating her food (literally, taking food off LP's plate when she has the identical items on her plate) and drinking from her cup.

Note, I am a second child and can't remember a time when my older brother was louder than me. He often overshadowed me in the classroom, but I think I have the edge on the volume and social fronts. I am sure he will correct me in the comments if I am wrong.

Teaching Tact

Saturday night we went on a family date. My little family of four went over to the home of another little family of four for pizza and make your own sundaes. Our kids are exactly the same age and for the most part get along splendidly. In fact, I think the littlest buggers - AK and WMK - are in love, although AK is coy about it, because she smiled but didn't kiss back when her boyfriend smooched her.

Anyway, Chlo-Chlo is all about princesses and dress up. LP was in heaven. Within a minute of us entering their pristine home, both girls had stripped down to their skivvies and were pulling costumes out of the playroom with great fanfare. Apparently, both chose ballet outfits for the first act.

LP walks out with a huge smile in a tutued leotard on backwards. The low cut v that was supposed to be in the back? Was in the front practically exposing her ninnies and navel. She was like the toddler J. Lo. Very fashion forward.

Lesson 400, "Now that you know how to dress yourself, make sure you do it right." Crucial because the Hoos couldn't tell that the leotard was backwards and would have dressed LP that way himself!

Being visually tacky is only one half of the equation. LP is also very direct, like most toddlers.

Yesterday as we took a family walk she announced, "Jules has a birthmark. It will go away when she gets big." Jules is the little sister of a boy in the older class at preschool. That is, he is not even in LP's class. Apparently Jules came in to drop off her big brother and LP got all inquisitive and in-your-face asking questions. Cute for a three-year old, but exponentially less cute as she gets older.

I guess it is time to start the "asking appropriate questions" and "keeping things to yourself" training. Mommy could probably use some help in those areas as well.

Can't Stop the Mouth

• "Mommy, AK doesn't drink out of your boobies anymore. Who drinks out of your boobies now? How do you get the milk into your boobies? Can I see?"
• "Mommy cows have udders, not boobies!"
• In response to Daddy asking how she got so beautiful, "From Grandma!" I guess my coaching to respond that it was from Mommy hasn't worked yet.
• "How come it makes your head hurt when I scream?"
• "Where are the staples so I can hang my project on the wall?"
• "Elephants eat pea-NUTS! It sounds like penis, but it isn't."

Lord help me.

Question Everything

LP is at the point in her little life where she is constantly asking questions.

One favorite line of questioning revolves around "When you were little" as in, "Mommy, when you were little did you have accidents? When you were teeny did you used to go on the carousel? When you were little did someone read you books?" And on and on.

The other night as we played the baby animal game (what's a baby...pig? what's a baby...goat?), she mixed it up a bit, "Mommy, how do goats wipe when they poop? How do elephants wipe when they poop? How do giraffes..." Again, this went on and on, despite the fact that I told her animals don't have hands and can't and don't really wipe anyway.

She doesn't just reserve questions for me or the Hoos. She is pretty nosy, actually and will ask anyone she encounters random questions. Which scares the beejezus out of me since it makes me think of my now 11 year old niece asking my dad if he had a [boy part] when she was around LP's age. I apologize in advance.

"She's So Verbal"

I was talking to a friend with kids about the same age as LP and AK yesterday and she was asking me if AK says anything yet. Kind of...sort of....okay, not really. A little "mama" and "da-da" but mostly just sounds directed at nothing in particular.

We then discussed the fact that we just don't remember a time when our older children weren't talking. Dude, I think the only time LP doesn't speak is when she is sleeping. And even then she says some weird stuff. She pretty much chatters incessantly about anything and nothing all the time. It is adorable and wonderful and occasionally mind-numbing.

Yesterday one of the teachers in LP's classroom relayed a conversation she overheard between LP and her classmate.

{NOTE: some words slightly modified to avoid this blog being labeled as inappropriate by spam filters}

LP: [Billy] you have a peanuts.
Billy (dancing around proudly): I have a peanuts! I have a peanuts!

OMG! I must have turned bright red. The teacher (the lovely Miss C) said, "She is so verbal!" which, as we all know is teacher-speak for, "She has a big mouth." I guess I now know two things:

1. LP is the bad influence
2. I am glad we taught her the clinical term, can you imagine if she was teaching her class anatomy slang?!

Signature Sayings

When my nephew, O, was 2 or so he was playing with his father and sister and all of a sudden started yelling out "Hickle fee, Aba! Hickle fee!" Poor kid is now 10 and we all still remember this story of his way of saying "Tickle me, Aba!" Probably because his father (Aba is Hebrew for Dad), my brother-in-law called everyone and told us this hysterical story.

Similarly his big sister, M, now 12 will always be remembered for telling us she was wearing "longs" when she wore regular pants (obviously as opposed to shorts).

I am still reminded of the time I ran crying to my mother after a conversation with my cousin yelling, "Mommy, why don't I have scronuts?!"

LP is well on her way to making a lasting impression. She has taken to saying "I'm all dressed off!" when she removes her clothes in preparation for a bath. I am sure this is only the beginning.

Big Mouth

If you are a parent, try to think back to when your child was an infant. Recall, if you will, how you desperately awaited his or her first word. Leap ahead two or five or ten years and think about how your child will soon be wielding the power of words against you.

Yesterday, LP's teacher was telling me about how LP didn't flush after peeing on the potty. When Miss Keica asked LP why she didn't flush, LP told her that she was waiting for someone else to pee on top of her pee, "like we do at home."

OMG. Miss Keica told me this and I was mortified.

First of all, I only do this when I have to pee at the same time as LP. Usually I say I have to pee, I walk into the bathroom; LP is right on my heels, telling me she has to pee and that she has to go first. I let her go while telling her not to flush so we don't waste water. And THEN SHE FLUSHES. Ignoring me! And yet, there she goes, sharing this with Miss Keica as if it is a common practice. To add insult to injury our quarterly water usage has doubled since LP was potty trained. Not saying it is just because of her toilet use but still...

Another LP conversation from yesterday:

Scene: LP and AK are laughing, playing and whooping it up in the living room, I am in the kitchen. LP comes running in.

LP: Mommy, I don't feel good.
Me (skeptical): What's wrong?
LP: My ears hurt.
Me (still skeptical): Okay, let me see.
LP kneels down next to me and I pretend to look in her ears and pull on the lobe watching to see if she flinches. Nothing.
Me: What does it feel like?
LP: Umm...it feels like...summer.

Chatty Cathy

Many moons ago I wrote about how I would like more information on what LP does with her days when she is at day care. During the past year or so the notes from the teachers have had more details since the kids are more interactive and actually partake in activities, as opposed to cry, eat, sleep or hang out like little lumpkins.

Most recently LP's daily reports have included notes of what she talked about all day. It just cracks me up to think of my little munchkin giving monologues to whomever will listen. Some examples:

• All of the kids in her class know "Baby Dee". Whenever they see me come in with Dee they all run over calling her name because LP talks about her little sister incessantly.
• Two weeks ago the teachers asked me what LP calls her grandparents. My in-laws are "Saba" and "Savta" (Hebrew for grandma and grandpa). Apparently LP chatted about going to the beach with Saba and "Sassa" all day and they couldn't really figure out what she was talking about.
• Last weekend LP had "water play" with her cousins at their house. This included a sprinkler, slip-n-slide, and kiddy pool. Everyone had a great time, especially LP. The next day when I picked LP up at school the teachers asked me what her cousins names were. Again, since their names are Hebrew and not common English names the teachers weren't really sure WHO she played with but they definitely understood that she had a great time.
• Yesterday the note remarked that LP talked on and on about the "baseball game." Saturday night we took the girls to their first Bridgeport Bluefish game. Dee slept the entire time, and LP freaked out any time she saw the mascot, but I guess it made an impression.

I just can't believe how grown up LP is getting. Now, not only does she have experiences that I am not a part of at day care, but she has conversations that other people can understand and appreciate. Amazing.

Jibber Jabber

LP has become a little chatterbox. I would say that about 75% of the time I know what she is saying. She thinks she is saying something understandable 100% of the time. Last night she stood at the back door and repeated the same sentence at least 5 times, each time more insistently and I could not understand even a single word. All I could figure out was that she didn't want to show me something specific since she didn't push me toward anything.

Some highlights:

1. "AMY!" When "Mommy" doesn't work she yells out my name. I don't think she knows it is my name, I think she believes it means "LISTEN TO ME!"
2. "Lunch" Any time she wants to eat. She can wake up in the morning, look at me and say it; or she can finish eating and want more and shout it. Also, if you mention that it is time for lunch, she will run over to the dining room, climb up into a chair and being lightly pounding the table and calling for it.
3. "I sowy" I blogged about this last week, but she definitely thinks it means excuse me. When she dumped Cheerios all over my car and I told her to say she was sorry she started to cry. When the Hoos' feet are in her way she tells them "I sowy."
   
4. Food terms are also very popular with her. She has "water," "juice," "berries" and "corn" down, in addition to "Cheeries" for Cheerios and "Cakes" and a host of other edible items. I think "cuppy" for cup also falls into this category.
   
5. Body parts. LP can say just about every body part and identify all of them on her own or someone else's body. Daddy doesn't like her pointing to his "Boobies" or "Butt" much, although she does typically say "tush" for her rear and I swear she knows that "keppe" is Yiddish for head.
6. Speaking of other languages, prefers to count in Spanish. And yesterday during "Spanish class" she had everyone cracking up as she very loudly exclaimed "HOLA! ESTA!" for como esta.
7. "Nappies" are blankets and "Baby" and "Moo" are her baby doll and cow. If you ask what Baby's name is she says "Niy" or something that sounds like it. Actually, if you ask her the name of anything she will tell you "Niy". I don't know if that is how she says name or if she just likes it.
8. Her friends. LP talks about all of her school friends at home. And she has already given them nicknames! "Buvy" and "Kate" are abbreviations of the names of two of her little buddies.
   

The list could go on and on. But, really, the best part is actually hearing her say these things. She really is a little muffin.