In which Erika describes bits of our lives for those who care.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Update on Opal

Since Opal will turn two exactly one month from today, I thought it would be appropriate to share a little about how she's progressing, since I'm sure I won't get around to it on her birthday.

One of the most fun changes is in her vocabulary. She's in that "explosion" stage where she says new words daily--almost hourly. Her current favorite, though, is "Nomine!" which she uses, for example, when she's playing with a toy, and Rolland walks by on the other side of the room. I know most kids go through either a "No" stage or a "Mine" stage, so this is a fun treat, especially since I don't remember Rolland going through either--although, as Dave points out, oldest children don't have as great a need for vocabulary involving boundaries and possession. That said, I'm looking forward to the, "Please don't touch my stuff" stage, or maybe even the, "Come, dear brother, let us share my most treasured possession" stage.

Another favorite is, "Aw, MAAAN!" said with the same low-high pitch change used by much older children...and her parents. Obviously, Dave and I laughed the first time we heard her say that one, so it's now a regular part of our conversations with her. When I was nannying in Chicago before we got married, my boss informed me that I had taught her son, "Oh, rats!" (which, of course, I learned from my mother). I'm not sure why these expressions of disappointment catch on with kids, but I'm glad I don't use more colorful language, or I'm sure everyone in the grocery store would know about it eventually.

She also said her first three-syllable word ("buckaroo"), followed quickly by her first three-syllable phrase ("Here I am!") last night while skyping with Papa and Gigi, so be ready the next time you see her. I'll still be available to translate, though I may take some liberties, depending on what exactly she says about you.

It looks like it might be best to save her favorite greeting for adults ("Thpppph!!!"), her circus-like leaps from high places, her inexplicable crying at 6:00am every day this week, and her obsession with babies for another segment on her development. Let's see if I can find an appropriate picture or two to wrap it up....

 Here she is demonstrating the baby thing I told you about. (This is Anastasia Baby--Rolland's pick for his new little sister's name, but we won't be going that direction, so we thought a doll would do.)

 Learning from big brother.

 This is called a "love brush," where they tip their heads together while brushing their teeth. I'm not sure who started it (I guess it must've been Rolland) but they do it occasionally when both are in a good mood. Yes, Opal is wearing Rolland's pjs, which she usually wears in multiple layers, so this is is a rare photo. (In case you noticed the background, my belly is much bigger now.)

 A closeup at breakfast. Sorry about the red-eye. She's actually blue, like her daddy. It's just hard to catch her smiling on camera.

See? She actually enjoyed Christmas quite a bit, though you wouldn't know it from any of the pictures.