Look Who's Talking

Hi Shira,

As I've said before you've been 'talking' to us a lot with sign language already. I think I still have the most meaningful communication with you because of what you say with signs. But your vocals are picking up.

What is it you're saying? You're good at some of the standards for kids your age, like: NO, Yeah, Mama, Daddy. A couple more that are interesting: Dog and Bike. By the time you're old enough to read this you'll understand why I think it's cool that bike is in your top ten. And by the time you can read this you'll probably have your own dog. At least I know our family will have a dog for a pet. It's kind of amazing that this is probably your 5th word behind the heavyweights NO, yeah, Mom, dad given the fact that we don't have a dog in the family right now. Anytime you've had a dog in a room with you you have just been beside yourself. They've always been your favorites in books that picture animals and pets. You like kitty's too but we haven't heard you saying that as much. You've been trying to say 'water' and 'more' and 'wet.' So your vocal vocabulary is growing but I would say that at the moment your signs are still more numerous than your spoken words.

On the other hand, you are still employing the time honored technique of throwing a fit to get your way. You're pretty good at that and your mom and I are realizing that we are getting out played by you too much in that game. You are horribly loud when you're not getting what you want but your emotions stay much more level when you aren't sick. In any case, we agreed today that we need to start letting you yell and be disappointed when there's no good reason for you to win an argument with a tantrum.

Most of the pictures and video are from our weekend trip to Sunriver with your grandparents and aunt and uncle. The weather was terrible for May 27-29 but we still enjoyed the trip. We swam in the pool in spite of the skiff of new snow on the pool deck. On the last night you were having a good swim but finally fatigue got to you and your spirit for it died quickly.

We visited the High Desert Museum. In two of the pictures you are very interested in the small stream than was running under the footbridge. It was a very clear stream that ran throughout the grounds and in the slower stretches fish could be seen. That held your interest, too.

We also got enough dry weather to visit the playground at least once and I got a couple of good shots of you on the swing. I didn't even have to prompt you to say "Wheeeeeeeee."

Well, now that you've begun trying the orals I expect an explosion of words to come streaming out of your mouth at any time.

Love,
aba