Over the last couple of months, seemingly out of nowhere, the Toddler has started really trying to talk to us. She has added to her basic words and now uses little phrases and short sentences. Her favorite phrase sounds like “night-night,” but we’ve learned she’s actually saying, “No I not.” And, there’s no end to the number of situations where she applies this handy phrase. It’s almost as popular as “mine!”
It’s so fun to see and hear her discover the power of language… until we come across words where we can’t quite figure out her letter substitutions.
It took me approximately forever to understand what she wanted when she was requesting a “tractor” over and over last week. I kept looking all around the room and listening outside for any signs of a John Deere or some other piece of agricultural machinery.
In the end, a “tractor” is a “cracker.” More specifically, it’s a Wheat Thin. I should have known. I feel certain she doesn’t even know what a tractor is.
Then there was a night last week when she kept pushing her baby doll into my face saying “toot, toot!” over and over. We were both so relieved when I finally got it right… She had changed the doll’s clothes and wanted confirmation that the baby was “cute!”
Over the weekend, though, she stumped us again when she kept asking for what we thought for sure was a “towel,” except her pronunciation sounded exactly like the Chinese word, “Tao.” I tried handing her a paper towel, then a wipe, neither of which would do. But, then, I saw it…
Yes, of course. She needed her stuffed cow.
I’m just so glad we cleared that misunderstanding up before we were driving around on Saturday and she saw this oddity in the Kroger parking lot:
And, from the backseat came the cry: “Big Tao! Big Tao! Big Tao!”
It’s helpful to at least know what you’re looking for in such situations.
So, slowly but surely I’m catching onto the pattern. And, at least the substitution is consistent. Unfortunately, her name starts with a “C,” but we’ll deal with that issue another day.
For now, I’m just glad I know what she means when she says she wants to “tolor” with the “tray-ons.” When we’re not in the heat of the moment and both frustrated with all the misunderstanding, it’s toot.
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