Talking up a Storm

I keep amazing Momma and Daddy with my growing vocabulary.  I learn lots of words at home and at school.  Even some phrases- my favorite being “I got it!”  Here are some words I’ve been throwing around the past couple of months:

waffle                 puppy            water              monkey
tofu                     turtle             beans              boots
cereal                 flowers          pizza                knock knock
apple juice        bath               boots               blankie
cracker               shower         shirt                 stuck
cookie                 towel            jeans                snow
coat                    mess              feet                  cold
toes                    owl                mouth              car
eyes                   colors            off                     outside
ear                     blocks           back                  book
couch                gate               goat                  shovel
chair                 frog                shark                dark
picture             yummy          stroller             bottle

And I’ve been starting to combine some of my words to make short sentences.  This helps me communicate to others what is mine and what I will allow them to have.  And also, to order Momma around.  For instance,

“Momma all done.” When she’s laying in bed but it’s time to get up, or when she’s been doing something besides paying attention to me.  Momma does not like this phrase.
“Momma cook.” When I’m hungry- also not a favorite.
“Daddy shovel” after the snow.
“Daddy’s shoes, Momma’s shoes, Liza’s shoes” so they understand not to wear my pink shoes.
“I got it!” and “I did it!” are useful for bringing attention to my toddler skills.
“Momma sit.” to get her to sit at my table and play blocks with me.
“Thank you Momma/Daddy” which earns me big time points.

No.

I’ve been practicing and perfecting it quietly in my carseat for some time, but now is the time to unleash my most powerful word yet… No.

I have two versions. One is quite casual, and I use it to answer almost any question that is asked of me.

Momma: “Liza, are you hungry?”
Me: “Nah.” (Though I’m clearly shoving crackers in my mouth.)

Daddy: “Liza, do you want to take a bath tonight?”
Me: “Nah.” (Even though he knows very well I jump at any chance for a bath.”)

It’s a good thing they know to ignore me while I perfect my use of this word, or I would never get cleaned or fed. I’m not sure why I like it so much. Perhaps because I hear Momma say it to Daddy so often.

I also have a more angry version of “No no no no no no no” which I scream from my crib when they refuse to take me out of it at 1:00am. It goes hand-in-hand with bink throwing.

Quite the Linguist

I’ve been working on my vocabulary a lot lately.  If you want to have a two-way conversation with me, it’s best that you ask me questions that I can answer with one of the following words:

ball
bubble
more, more
kitty
cheese
daddy
fish
mama

Or, I can do animal impressions for you.

woof
quack quack
moo
baaa
oo oo
woo hoo

Woo hoo is horse, silly.

Dinner Delights

I had a fabulous dinner this evening. Here’s the menu:

amous bouche
array of organic kamut puffs

appetizer
pile of organic black beans

salad
hand-grated cheddar cheese

main course
breaded tofu rectangles with cumin

vegetable
jar of organic spinach and potato

dessert
yogurt with swirl of peach puree

Now, if that seems like a lot, it is. But the important part is that much of it was finger food. Momma has been trying to get me off the jarred food, but I usually react to table food by shoving it away, throwing it on the floor, or throwing it up. I’m averse to texture and chunks of any kind. And so it’s a bit of a miracle that I ate such a variety, and with quite a bit of relish- pun intended. I rejected the tofu at first, but after the spinach I decided to give it a try and shoved it all in my mouth at once. The old girl (Momma) was so pleased she nearly peed her pants. (I peed my pants at least once during dinner, but that’s neither here nor there.)

But the food wasn’t the best part of dinner for me. What was the best was Momma let me feed myself with a spoon. I dipped it in the spinach jar and then put the (correct) end into my mouth. I did so well that she let me feed myself the yogurt too. She’s on cloud 9.

Well, have to go… apparently I need a bath.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

It’s my birthday! I never thought I would make it to 1 year, but here I am. I feel so old.

It’s been a good year. I got to spend 3 months with Momma. I’ve made friends at school, and gotten to meet lots of relatives. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Took my first class. Had three ear infections, the stomach flu, and many many many colds. Moved from the baby bath to the big bath and moved up in beds, carseats and strollers. Grew out of countless adorable outfits. Lost numerous binks.

I’m looking forward to climbing and talking and better toys and more clothes. And feeding myself!

Eight small steps…

I can walk! I’ve been taking a couple of steps here and there, but tonight I walked clear across two feet of hardwood floor and into Momma’s arms.