I'm not trying to brag.
Richie's verbal acuity has nothing to do with me and I am not responsible for it. I enjoy it. But I don't feel like I created it or that Richie deserves admiration for it or anything like that. Richie's verbal skills simply are what they are. Which is to say, to me, somewhat astonishing.
I've been wondering how to write this for weeks now. I'd like to set down for Future Richie one day a record of what he was doing at 15 months of age, and how that impressed us.
All I know is, this child talks! I know Felix spoke early too, but Richie seems even more verbal. I don't know what the norms are for 15-month-olds, how large their vocabularies are supposed to be. But I doubt it's the - how many? 80? - words Richie says.
I have heard that, when one developmental milestone is delayed for some reason, kids can develop faster in another - so maybe not walking is contributing to Richie's large vocab. (I also read in a book about Spina Bifida that SB kids are verbal - thought that factoid was not referenced so I don't know if this assertation is the result of scientific study or the kind of thing people say to parents to make them feel better.)
So, here's a boring summary of Richie's words, strictly for fans, grandparents, and Future Richie to enjoy (hell, it's New Year's Day. Nobody else is reading blogs anyway):
Richie says Mama, Daddy, Felix, brother, Nanna, Grandpa JOHN!, Grandpa, Ouma, Granny, Queeny and Vinny and Gnasher (the dog).
He says BOOB!, and nose, and mouth, teeth, (belly) button, feet, toes, head, and hair and eyes and ears.
He says nice, and YUM! - today in response to repeated requests for BOOB!, I asked, needlessly, "Would you like some boob?" "Some," affirmed Richie. "Yum!"
He says BU-bbles and Car and Bike and Bus and Tortoise and Helicopter and Plane, and push! and dog and cat and mouse and fish and rabbit and frog and penguin and waddle-waddle and horse and pig, and assorted other animal sounds.
He says paint and pen and box and string and tower and Saur (dinosaur) and Mismas for the Father Christmas ornament on our Christmas tree. He says Star - all. the. time. He loves stars. And the Moon. Melt-yourself-cutely, he draws out a long "WOW!!!!!" in a deep, husky voice when he's truly impressed.
He says bath and boat and water. "Food" and specifically sausage and porridge. Hot! and hot-hot-hot. I asked him if he wanted sausage - a current favourite - and he stopped playing with his toy and scooted into the kitchen, demanding"sau-sage, sau-sage".
He can understandably ask for "photos!" or "wheels on bus" on my phone or iPad. He says "Pad" (for iPad). He says Barney! (sigh.)
He says "wee-wee" when I produce his catheter, and "all done" when we're finished. He says Bye.
He speaks two-word sentences. Mostly the first word is "want", but still. "Want BOOB!". "Want PHOTOS!". Also, and often: "Where Daddy?" (He is so in love with his Dad at the moment!)
He says song and book. He says Up and Down and On and Gone. He says Baba (and LOVES seeing other children). Pat-pat.
He calls the dogs "naughty" and says "outside!".
And of course he says no. And no-no-no. And variations on the theme. (Geez he's determined. Richie gets a glint in his eye and a set to his jaw and you just know he means business.)
It's not Harvard-degree-at-age-11 stuff, this, but it is a significant strength of his. And I'm happy for him. That's all.
He laughs uproariously. And this December, he really has started playing with Felix more and more and more.
Today, for the first time, I saw the two brothers conspire in naughtiness. They were sitting in Grandpa John's chair, he was pretending not to have seen them and went to sit down, only to get pummelled on his back by two enthusiastic sets of arms. He'd spring up, astonished, and turn around to find two little boys in an hysterical collapse of laughter. Repeat times a million. It was cute to the max.
And Felix? Felix listened to Richie cry all the way home on a short car trip yesterday, trying to reassure him the whole way. "We're almost home, Richie!" At home, Richie's tantrum instantly stopped and they started playing in the lounge. Pipes up Felix: "I love you SO much, Richie."
His heart really is made from pure gold.
2012 is going to be a busy, eventful year (they all are). But to be with these two boys? It's joy and bliss. Thank you, my boys. I love you SO much, too.
Richie's verbal acuity has nothing to do with me and I am not responsible for it. I enjoy it. But I don't feel like I created it or that Richie deserves admiration for it or anything like that. Richie's verbal skills simply are what they are. Which is to say, to me, somewhat astonishing.
I've been wondering how to write this for weeks now. I'd like to set down for Future Richie one day a record of what he was doing at 15 months of age, and how that impressed us.
All I know is, this child talks! I know Felix spoke early too, but Richie seems even more verbal. I don't know what the norms are for 15-month-olds, how large their vocabularies are supposed to be. But I doubt it's the - how many? 80? - words Richie says.
I have heard that, when one developmental milestone is delayed for some reason, kids can develop faster in another - so maybe not walking is contributing to Richie's large vocab. (I also read in a book about Spina Bifida that SB kids are verbal - thought that factoid was not referenced so I don't know if this assertation is the result of scientific study or the kind of thing people say to parents to make them feel better.)
So, here's a boring summary of Richie's words, strictly for fans, grandparents, and Future Richie to enjoy (hell, it's New Year's Day. Nobody else is reading blogs anyway):
Richie says Mama, Daddy, Felix, brother, Nanna, Grandpa JOHN!, Grandpa, Ouma, Granny, Queeny and Vinny and Gnasher (the dog).
He says BOOB!, and nose, and mouth, teeth, (belly) button, feet, toes, head, and hair and eyes and ears.
He says nice, and YUM! - today in response to repeated requests for BOOB!, I asked, needlessly, "Would you like some boob?" "Some," affirmed Richie. "Yum!"
He says BU-bbles and Car and Bike and Bus and Tortoise and Helicopter and Plane, and push! and dog and cat and mouse and fish and rabbit and frog and penguin and waddle-waddle and horse and pig, and assorted other animal sounds.
He says paint and pen and box and string and tower and Saur (dinosaur) and Mismas for the Father Christmas ornament on our Christmas tree. He says Star - all. the. time. He loves stars. And the Moon. Melt-yourself-cutely, he draws out a long "WOW!!!!!" in a deep, husky voice when he's truly impressed.
He says bath and boat and water. "Food" and specifically sausage and porridge. Hot! and hot-hot-hot. I asked him if he wanted sausage - a current favourite - and he stopped playing with his toy and scooted into the kitchen, demanding"sau-sage, sau-sage".
He can understandably ask for "photos!" or "wheels on bus" on my phone or iPad. He says "Pad" (for iPad). He says Barney! (sigh.)
He says "wee-wee" when I produce his catheter, and "all done" when we're finished. He says Bye.
He speaks two-word sentences. Mostly the first word is "want", but still. "Want BOOB!". "Want PHOTOS!". Also, and often: "Where Daddy?" (He is so in love with his Dad at the moment!)
He says song and book. He says Up and Down and On and Gone. He says Baba (and LOVES seeing other children). Pat-pat.
He calls the dogs "naughty" and says "outside!".
And of course he says no. And no-no-no. And variations on the theme. (Geez he's determined. Richie gets a glint in his eye and a set to his jaw and you just know he means business.)
It's not Harvard-degree-at-age-11 stuff, this, but it is a significant strength of his. And I'm happy for him. That's all.
He laughs uproariously. And this December, he really has started playing with Felix more and more and more.
Today, for the first time, I saw the two brothers conspire in naughtiness. They were sitting in Grandpa John's chair, he was pretending not to have seen them and went to sit down, only to get pummelled on his back by two enthusiastic sets of arms. He'd spring up, astonished, and turn around to find two little boys in an hysterical collapse of laughter. Repeat times a million. It was cute to the max.
And Felix? Felix listened to Richie cry all the way home on a short car trip yesterday, trying to reassure him the whole way. "We're almost home, Richie!" At home, Richie's tantrum instantly stopped and they started playing in the lounge. Pipes up Felix: "I love you SO much, Richie."
His heart really is made from pure gold.
2012 is going to be a busy, eventful year (they all are). But to be with these two boys? It's joy and bliss. Thank you, my boys. I love you SO much, too.
Posts
That is indeed one impressive vocabulary for a 15 month old! None of my four kids had even half that vocab at his age. Well done Richie.
ReplyDeleteDis fantasties dat hy so lekker kan praat! Ongelooflike woordeskat! Geniet dit, en hou aan om dit iewers te dokumenteer (jou blog, 'n joernaal), want hierdie is die tipe ding wat regtig by jou bly jare later!
ReplyDeleteEn geniet die Nuwejaar - wat 'n fantastiese jaar wag ons nie in nie?!!
Aaw. That bond must so amazing to see. Clever little Ritchie, that is an amazing vocab. So precious.
ReplyDeleteNeesie
Wow! You have every right to be proud Margot.
ReplyDeleteYour little man is obviously taking after his very talented mom when it comes to vocabulary :)
Both your little guys sound totally adorable.
Thank you everybody, for kind words as always. I am enjoying my spunky little guy, it's true. Xxx
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! The kids play so much more interactively when both parties can vocabularise their needs and wants.
ReplyDeleteMegan used to say to Mia when she was small "Praat soos 'n mens, nie 'n baba nie"
So maybe being the 2nd child gives them a bit of an edge as well?
Praat soos 'n mens - I love it!
ReplyDeleteGolden moments to recall some day - those that we need to keep close in our hearts for those less than golden days.
ReplyDelete