A child's first word is a big deal for a parent. As someone who makes a living based on stringing words together, I think I've especially looked forward to this milestone.But then I realized something...how do I really know?
Here's my dilemma. Over the past week or two, Anthony has more and more been uttering the word (sound?) "dada." Increasingly, this happens when he's around Brandon. The other day, he looked at Brandon and said "dada." When Brandon waved and said, "Hi, Anthony," Anthony looked him straight in the eye, smiled a huge smile and said "dada" again.
But still...
He also says "dada" when he's looking at me. Or the cat. Or the refrigerator.
Plus, he'll also look at Brandon and say "lalala," "boooo" or "high-pitched squealing noise." (He makes a high-pitched squealing noise; he doesn't say the words "high-pitched squaling noise," now that would be truly impressive.)
Anyway, here's my question: How do I really KNOW when Anthony has said his first word, as opposed to just making a sound? (Don't say "you'll just know," trust me, I won't, I know very little about babies.)
In any case, I guess at the very least, if some competitive-parenting type tells me their 8-month-old has a 10-word vocabulary, I guess I can at least somewhat legitimately come back with a vague, "Yeah, Anthony's really starting to talk, too..."
Or, on the other hand, I could disregard this whole "dada" nonsense, hold out for the good stuff -- a "mama" -- and wipe that smug grin off Brandon's face...
Anyway, let me wrap up with some more "did-he-or-didn't-he" Anthony achievements.
His first art project! I'm pretty sure his only contribution was the hand prints, but it's hanging on the fridge nonetheless.
He reads! OK, even I know enough to know that's not true, but he LOVES turning the pages of books and looking at the pictures. I'll fill this little blue bin up with books, and he'll sit there for hours (minutes, but hours in baby time) pulling each one one out and thumbing through it.
He shops! This really could be true. He is half me, after all.
He drives! While he was a bit surprised when Brandon let him take the wheel, I think he already handles the privilege more responsibly than most Miamians.
4 comments:
Anthony looks VERY pleased behind the steering wheel! I think he definitely wants to do what you and Brandon are doing. I read that before a year, even if they are saying mama and dada, they don't exactly know the association...but if he says "Dada" in the middle of the night, I think he definitely means he wants Brandon! I am sure looking forward to reading with him when we visit. And if Grandpa brings his tools to work on any projects you have for us, I'm sure Anthony will be ready to help with that too!
I'll have to give Grandma a copy of "Lord of the Rings" to slip into Anthony's blue bin... I think what he's really trying to say is "Frodo", not "Dada". ;-)
Love, Aunt Kerry
:-)
I noticed he was driving the automatic car; you should seize this opportunity to start teaching him to drive the stick shift so that he won't have to call his Aunt Ellen 25 years down the road and ask me to do him a present and pick him up at Cunetto's.
Well, he is learning to form those words anyway. Practicing. Will come soon. He does look happy behind the wheel. You may never get to do the driving again, Brandon, without his wanting to help. Oh, boy! That reading bit it good too. The more you read the better. He shows much interest in that. Books aren't just things you rip up cause they are there. I have seen too many kids like that. Reading to him will help him learn to talk too. No matter what it is.Sounds like he is developing very normally. What a sweetheart. Love you all. Shirley
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