It's as if my post about Malcolm starting to "talk" was tempting fate ...
Last night, after the usual bedtime stories, my husband put Malcolm in the crib and turned out the light.
"Call your Mom," he encouraged. "Yell for 'mama' so she can say good night to you!"
I could hear some shuffling from inside the darkened room (most likely Malcolm happily rolling around in his crib) as I stood just outside of the doorway.
"Do it, Malcolm," my husband continued. "Call your Mom."
There was a beat of silence and then I swore I heard a gleeful "Bitch!" in my little boy's sweet voice.
"Did he just swear at me?" I whispered to my husband from outside the door.
He could only laugh.
Although I'm happy that this kid is experimenting with letter sounds, I hope he sticks to more pleasing combinations when calling out for me!
August 31, 2011
August 30, 2011
c is for chatterbox
It's been a while since it's gotten any mention on here, even though it is a huge part of our day, every day.
Language.
Communication.
Talking.
What can I say? We are a loud family. We like to debate and discuss and just connect after our respective days at work (or home-work, in my case) ... And while Malcolm isn't jumping right in just yet, I do feel like he is (finally!?) moving in that direction ...
In an effort to "let things run their course" and to simply "happen" I have made a very conscious effort to just let Malcolm be Malcolm. I haven't been pushing him in any particular direction in regards to his communicative capabilities ... And while he still enjoys watching his Signing Time DVDs (and, holy cow, does that boy like his signs! We're up to about fifty that he uses frequently), I haven't been introducing any new episodes to the mix as of lately.
Since I am able to meet his needs and wants based on the signs he already knows (usually these needs and wants consist of "crackers" or "cookies" or "milk"), I figured the lack of new signs might promote the use of new (verbal) words ... And while that seems to be happening, little by little, it could all just be a "timing" thing, too. I was reading some language development literature and found that many boys do not even utter a first word until about 22 months of age ...
This puts Malcolm ahead of that curve.
Go figure.
But, whether or not that is norm for boys, this whole "talking" thing has made for is really a fun roller coaster ride ...
It's fun as a parent to see your child learn, to pick up new material in front of your eyes ... Which has definitely been the case with Malcolm's signing. Not only does he seem to have an aptitude for it (sometimes he'll randomly throw out a sign that we haven't seen on the videos in ages ... His memory seems to be pretty good), you can tell that he enjoys it. Just ask him to sign any collection of words and he'll quickly move his little hands into position.
It's also fun to hear words, as jumbled and mispronounced as they may be, coming to the forefront as well. We've been hearing "Mama" and "Dada" for months now, but new things like "owl" or "duck" and phrases like "Oh, no!" are a welcome change.
A cute story to elaborate (and it won't hurt to put it in writing, either) ...
Pieces from an alphabet puzzle have gone missing recently and, just yesterday, Malcolm was wandering around the living room with a flashlight muttering "ay-bee" to himself as he searched under the furniture. He kept saying it, "ay-bee, ay-bee, ay-bee" over and over ... It was obviously more than just random syllables. Finally, once he had given up on his search and moved to some other activity, I figured out that his would-be babbling was actually a reference to the missing letters (or "ABCs," as we often call them) ...
He was looking for the "ay-bees."
(I'm not sure why he's neglecting the "c.")
As always, it is so thrilling for me to see those wheels turning ... To know that my son's brain is actively working, thinking about something, and putting it into (albeit partial) words.
It really is only a matter of time before the dam breaks and we can't get him to shut up ...
So, while he probably won't have the twenty words the doctor is looking for at his 2-year appointment, he will have some progress to speak of ... And as much as my husband likes to joke about Malcolm "being headed for the speech van," he might just surprise us.
He usually does.
Language.
Communication.
Talking.
What can I say? We are a loud family. We like to debate and discuss and just connect after our respective days at work (or home-work, in my case) ... And while Malcolm isn't jumping right in just yet, I do feel like he is (finally!?) moving in that direction ...
In an effort to "let things run their course" and to simply "happen" I have made a very conscious effort to just let Malcolm be Malcolm. I haven't been pushing him in any particular direction in regards to his communicative capabilities ... And while he still enjoys watching his Signing Time DVDs (and, holy cow, does that boy like his signs! We're up to about fifty that he uses frequently), I haven't been introducing any new episodes to the mix as of lately.
Since I am able to meet his needs and wants based on the signs he already knows (usually these needs and wants consist of "crackers" or "cookies" or "milk"), I figured the lack of new signs might promote the use of new (verbal) words ... And while that seems to be happening, little by little, it could all just be a "timing" thing, too. I was reading some language development literature and found that many boys do not even utter a first word until about 22 months of age ...
This puts Malcolm ahead of that curve.
Go figure.
But, whether or not that is norm for boys, this whole "talking" thing has made for is really a fun roller coaster ride ...
It's fun as a parent to see your child learn, to pick up new material in front of your eyes ... Which has definitely been the case with Malcolm's signing. Not only does he seem to have an aptitude for it (sometimes he'll randomly throw out a sign that we haven't seen on the videos in ages ... His memory seems to be pretty good), you can tell that he enjoys it. Just ask him to sign any collection of words and he'll quickly move his little hands into position.
It's also fun to hear words, as jumbled and mispronounced as they may be, coming to the forefront as well. We've been hearing "Mama" and "Dada" for months now, but new things like "owl" or "duck" and phrases like "Oh, no!" are a welcome change.
A cute story to elaborate (and it won't hurt to put it in writing, either) ...
Pieces from an alphabet puzzle have gone missing recently and, just yesterday, Malcolm was wandering around the living room with a flashlight muttering "ay-bee" to himself as he searched under the furniture. He kept saying it, "ay-bee, ay-bee, ay-bee" over and over ... It was obviously more than just random syllables. Finally, once he had given up on his search and moved to some other activity, I figured out that his would-be babbling was actually a reference to the missing letters (or "ABCs," as we often call them) ...
He was looking for the "ay-bees."
(I'm not sure why he's neglecting the "c.")
As always, it is so thrilling for me to see those wheels turning ... To know that my son's brain is actively working, thinking about something, and putting it into (albeit partial) words.
It really is only a matter of time before the dam breaks and we can't get him to shut up ...
So, while he probably won't have the twenty words the doctor is looking for at his 2-year appointment, he will have some progress to speak of ... And as much as my husband likes to joke about Malcolm "being headed for the speech van," he might just surprise us.
He usually does.
August 25, 2011
neighborhood watch
Based on the way the kid reacts to being outside, you'd think I keep him locked in a cage all day (which I do not despite what my own mother might think).
Lucky for him, the weather has been cool (almost fall-like!) in the evenings this week, so we've been spending more time outside after dinner has been put away.
And it looks a little something like this ...
Taking his first steps into the great outdoors (equals pure excitement) ...
Keeping an eye on the neighbors ... Just what are they hiding under their front porch?
Making his way down the driveway and to the backyard ... And assessing the mulch situation along the way.
A little light climbing ...
Long-sleeved tee: Old Navy (thrifted for $0.50)
Shorts: Honors (hand-me-down gift)
Socks: Circo ($1.00)
Shoes: Starter (thrifted for $1.50)
Taking refuge under his climbing toy ...
Of course I haven't included the many, many blurry photos where he was running so fast I couldn't keep up with him ...
I guess that's what I get for keeping him inside all day!
Lucky for him, the weather has been cool (almost fall-like!) in the evenings this week, so we've been spending more time outside after dinner has been put away.
And it looks a little something like this ...
Taking his first steps into the great outdoors (equals pure excitement) ...
Keeping an eye on the neighbors ... Just what are they hiding under their front porch?
Making his way down the driveway and to the backyard ... And assessing the mulch situation along the way.
A little light climbing ...
Long-sleeved tee: Old Navy (thrifted for $0.50)
Shorts: Honors (hand-me-down gift)
Socks: Circo ($1.00)
Shoes: Starter (thrifted for $1.50)
Of course I haven't included the many, many blurry photos where he was running so fast I couldn't keep up with him ...
I guess that's what I get for keeping him inside all day!
August 24, 2011
taming the terrible twos
As I mentioned a little while back, someone is well on his way to becoming a two-year-old (less than a month to go, actually!).
So, I figured it was time for the husband and me to discuss how we'll go about disciplining Malcolm when he inevitably stretches his toddler muscles. We both decided that using "time outs" (a la Super Nanny) will be our discipline method of choice ... Because, seriously, what's worse than sitting still if you are a always-ready-to-go-go-go boy? And what's better (for a mom) than getting that "I'm sorry" hug at the end?
We've already used the technique to pretty promising results ... Surprise of surprises Malcolm actually sits still for his allotted minute (and the act of doing so seems to deter whatever bad behavior he was in for). In an effort to bring this "time out" option with us wherever we go (so that it would have similar impact outside of our home), I wanted to make a physical spot that can travel with us, but yet be used at home, too.
Hence the "Naughty Spot" (if said in a British accent like Super Nanny, it is so much better!) was born.
Here's how I made it ...
Supplies came from a local craft store and my personal supply (junk drawer?) and included: Sheets of durable "Foamy" paper in different sizes and colors, glitter glue, sticky letters, permanent markers, scissors, etc.
Because I wanted a literal "spot," I cut the large foamy sheet into a circle (using a 10-inch skillet lid as a template).
Then I created the phrase "The Naughty Spot" and other embellishments with my other supplies, being sure not to make it too happy or pleasant-looking ...
It is a punishment, after all.
So, I figured it was time for the husband and me to discuss how we'll go about disciplining Malcolm when he inevitably stretches his toddler muscles. We both decided that using "time outs" (a la Super Nanny) will be our discipline method of choice ... Because, seriously, what's worse than sitting still if you are a always-ready-to-go-go-go boy? And what's better (for a mom) than getting that "I'm sorry" hug at the end?
We've already used the technique to pretty promising results ... Surprise of surprises Malcolm actually sits still for his allotted minute (and the act of doing so seems to deter whatever bad behavior he was in for). In an effort to bring this "time out" option with us wherever we go (so that it would have similar impact outside of our home), I wanted to make a physical spot that can travel with us, but yet be used at home, too.
Hence the "Naughty Spot" (if said in a British accent like Super Nanny, it is so much better!) was born.
Here's how I made it ...
Supplies came from a local craft store and my personal supply (junk drawer?) and included: Sheets of durable "Foamy" paper in different sizes and colors, glitter glue, sticky letters, permanent markers, scissors, etc.
Because I wanted a literal "spot," I cut the large foamy sheet into a circle (using a 10-inch skillet lid as a template).
Then I created the phrase "The Naughty Spot" and other embellishments with my other supplies, being sure not to make it too happy or pleasant-looking ...
It is a punishment, after all.
August 22, 2011
on heads and hearts
A haiku (because I haven't done one in a while) ...
Baby's soft spot shrinks
While his mother's soft spot grows.
Funny how that works!
Baby's soft spot shrinks
While his mother's soft spot grows.
Funny how that works!
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