Babbling Kate

It's funny how three kids can be raised in the same household, and still be so very different.  Alison and Henry were both delayed in speech development, but Kate?  Oh my.  This girl can talk.  And talk.  And talk.

For the last year or so, she's been adding new words to her arsenal of speech.  She knows the power of words, and she knows how to use 'em to get exactly what she wants.  I find it funny (and quite miraculous) that she has picked up on the subtle nuances of language:  a shrug of the shoulders, a sigh, an eye roll. She's got them all down pat.  Lately when I ask her why she's done this or that, she'll shrug, and say, "I dunno," and then take a swig of milk from her sippy cup.

Her language has moved from words dotted here and there to longer stretches of words strung together.  Like real, actual sentences.  I've provided a translation for those who are not familiar with baby talk, but I'm sure you mamas out there can decipher them quite well.  We're gifted like that.  As of late, here are Kate's favorite sayings:

1. I dun lai dat:  Usually a run on sentence, "Idunlaidat!", this phrase is Kate's favorite.  Plainly stated, it means, "I DON'T LIKE THAT."  Yes, ALL CAPS.  Because she yells it like that.  Usually she says this when she's tired or *sigh* bored of something.  Like her sippy cup. Or her shoes.  Or her hair ties.  She'll bring whatever offending item is bothering her, drop it in our laps, and then, "Idunlaidat."

2. Bad Cat!:  This phrase cracks me up, and while the words are as clear as day, it still needs a bit of translating.  Henry and Kate are big fans of Caillou, and in one episode (which I have yet to see), Caillou yells, "Bad Cat!" I don't know the context, but I do know that Kate uses it as weaponry when things don't go her way.  Henry isn't listening?  We'll he's a "Bad Cat!"  This usually is followed by a crossing of the arms akimbo.

3. I wan to/I don wan to:  These two phrases are like conjoined twins as they're always said consecutively when Kate gets fussy.  Imagine a scene where she's tired, cranky, perhaps even hungry.  It's way past naptime, and you're, say, at Target.  Alone.  With three kids.  Yeah, imagine.  Kate sees a toy/magazine/tampons etc.  She reaches for the coveted item and says, "I wan to" (loosely translated to I want to or I want it).  You hand her said item to buy you 2 seconds of peace while you finish your shopping, and then immediately you hear, "I no wan to" (or I don't want it).  We'll continue this dance of taking items off the shelf and putting them back on.  Shelf off. Shelf on.

4.  Yoo Hoo!:  Again, this is clear as day, and no real translation is needed. Though I do have to say that Kate usually says this in the wee hours of the morning when the house is deathly silent.  Like a banshee, Kate cries out, "Yoo hoo!  Mama. . . . . . Yoooo hooooo!"  The more "o's" she adds to the yoo and to the hoo, the more desperate she gets.  I love my sleep, yes, but this wake up call is very sweet.

5.  Me Ket! Me Baby!: a.k.a. I'm Kate! I'm a baby!  Like most two year olds, Kate is busy developing her own identity.  She knows her name, and she often refers to herself as Ket (Kate).  A casual passing by the mirror, and she'll point and scream with recognition.  "Mama!  Ket!  Me Ket!"  As if to say, hey mama, there I am!  it's me!  I'm Kate!  It's all very sweet!

So there you have it.  A guide to babbling Kate.

**********************
Onto other news.  Some good.  Some bad.  Wait, let me reverse the order.  We'll start with the bad, and then end on a happier note with the good news. Okay?

The bad. My dad is very ill, and I've been trying to deal with his illness as best I can.  I've decided to start a new blog, A Precious Minute.  The blog is in its most rudimentary stages right now, but I plan to chronicle my thoughts and feelings as honestly as I can.  It's mainly for me, but I invite you to share this journey with me, if you wish. 

Now! The good!  I'm having a sale at ze lovely paperie.  Swipe 20% off of your entire order with this secret code SAVECASH Go take a peek!  I have some new goods that'll be added soon.  Okay, end of shameless plug. 

Have a great weekend all!

Comments

[Lilie]

Kate is so cute!! Briana has whole conversations by herself with different voices for all the different people. LOL!

Sorry to hear about your Dad :( Sending all the positive thoughts we have.

[Yvonne]

Kate is such a cutie and I can't believe how big she is already. It's been ages since we last seen each other.

I hope your dad's getting better. I wish you and yours good luck.

[crazycatladyMel]

Of course there's a sale! I just placed an order earlier today (and checked here to see if there was a coupon or anything). Ah, well. Those super boy pencils are gonna be a hit!

Sorry to hear about your dad. I think writing down your thoughts will be a big help in times to come. Hugs.

[jenny]

yoo-hoo! soo cute. xo

[Shari]

Kate is just adorable. I remember those days so long ago. I found a book that I wrote some of the funny things my son used to say. I loved 'Hangaberder' the best (hamburger).
Hang in there. It's good that your able to write and get the feelings out.
Hey, I'll be helping Textile Fetish at Felt Club, so I'll see you there!

[Rachel]

Kate is cute as always. I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I'm sending good thoughts/ prayers your way.

[joyce]

i'm sorry to hear about your dad - i'm sure it's hard. my mom was sick for awhile but got better.

[A Punkin Card Company]

Very cute!!! I can't wait to have kids!

[Gillian]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad... god bless.

[kate]

its always funnier to read about fussy kids than to actually experience them but kate sounds hilarious!

thinking about hearing a little voice yelling "yoo-hoo!" in the morning out of nowhere actually made me laugh out loud.

hearing you talk about her kinda makes me want to have one...and thats a major kinda.

[tania]

this is so cute- and then I am so sorry about your dad being sick- i know, its not fun-
:(

[Blair]

I love that baby babble so much, I miss it! I'm so sorry about your dad Les, my thoughts are with you. The blog is a wonderful tribute.