chatter bug

When Uncle Don was here, he mentioned that a "baby whisperer" sister of his ran a day care, and could always get kids to talk by refusing to give them anything they didn't ask for, or attempt to ask for.

I've been a bit frustrated with Sofie's refusal to talk, though she'll point and grunt and charade away, when Lily was talking up a storm at this age.  I know every child is different, but literally 6 months ago, Sofie said "Alligator" clear as day 15 times and then would NEVER say it again.  Same with "cup", same with "i love you" "grandpa, same with LOTS of words.

Now, she was grabbing my hand, leading me around, showing me exactly what she wanted, but refusing to talk.  SO, when he said that, I got thinking.

This past Saturday morning, Matt and I decided it was TIME.  We had a relatively uneventful weekend, and no guests, so we hunkered down for a "it's-gonna-be-a-long-weekend" and did it.

NO cup till she said cup.  She cried, and tantrumed, and cried some more.  And then, finally, hiccuping... "cup."  Same with "up", same with "cheese"...and suddenly, after a relatively miserable and exhausting Saturday, she's gone from 4 consistent words (Momma and Baby, No and Ella) to 20, repeating after everyone, learning English and Creole.

By today, just 4 days later, she's spouting "Up, Cup, Cheese, Moon, Lily, Dou-Dou (Creole for candy or sweets), B'am (Creole for "give it to me"), Meh (Creole for "here, take it"), Gertha, Dodo, Bubba, Thank You, Love You, Nay-Nay (her friend Naomy), book, bug, more, shoe, and of course....MINE.

"Mine", though we never actually worked to teach her this horrible word, has become a quick favorite.

"MINE!" she says adoringly, lovingly, threateningly, bossily, sassily, sweetly, about EVERYTHING.  Oh man, proof that human is in every baby :)

She was already snuggling with Dodo tonight, following her sister's lead that Dodo and Bubba are a GREAT thing, and I LOVE hearing Lily say, "Sofie, say DOLL.  DOLL.  Can you say Butterfly?  Say Butterfly!"  Lily is always mama's assistant!

No, it has not dipped below 70.  Yes, Lily still thinks it's chilly.

Here is a picture of what happens when it rains.

Or when yesterday was a holiday.

Or when the president is unhappy.

AFTER 45 minutes of uniforming and hair braiding, Lily's school cancels class.

And Mommy, with no nanny, takes Lily to Mommy's school.

And Mommy gets nothing done.

And Lily LOVES it.