Originally written November 2020.
First, it was THAT she said it.
The very fact that she was connecting objects and people with the correct words to identify and describe them. It blew my mind.
Then, it was HOW she said it.
The cuteness of each mispronounced word. The exhilarated effort of sentences.
Now, it is WHAT she is saying.
"What's the weather out, Mama?" "What is Daddy doing?" "I'm just being silly!"
The best part is that these three categories - the THAT, the HOW, the WHAT - they don’t replace each other: they layer on top. Their existence compounds into a constant sense of wonder in my brain whenever she is around that, without fail, culminates in a giant goofy smile on my face.
I continue to be amazed that she is talking, how she processes information, and just how articulate she has become at only two years old. Her capacity to learn and speed of comprehension absolutely blows me away.
I am astounded daily by the unique thoughts she has and the language she is developing, and I’m still stopped in my tracks by the cute idiosyncrasies that make up her toddler-speak. With "S" and "L" still just out of reach, "spoon" becomes "poon," "llama" is "wama," and "Millie" is "Mimi."
Her propensity to imitate us is particularly impressive (read: frightening). She has started to discipline the dogs using the same frustrated phrases that we find ourselves muttering... OK, yelling... throughout the day. This has caused us to reflect and change our own behaviors, reverting to non-verbal methods of discipline (the dreaded squirt-bottle) thanks to our little inescapable mirror.
Our daughters' voice is already making an impact.
She is truly making us better people, more aware of our words and actions. I am so grateful to be able to sit in the front row and witness all of the incredible ways her voice is going to impact the world around her throughout her life.
But for now, I am going to soak up every "kinkle kinkle wittle tar," and continue to sneak videos of her having full blown nonsense conversations with her stuffed animals. I'll even try to enjoy the irrational between-wails-explanations of why she is melting down this time.
A few weeks ago, my heart exploded when she started saying my favorite sentence that has even been spoken: “I love you, Mommy.” Now that is something I will never tire of hearing.
-CJK
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