A few weeks ago, I came across this article about the 25 words every 2 yr old should know. It got me thinking about the number of words that Grace says. She is a definite chatter box at times, but a lot of it we haven't a clue what she is saying. It is obvious though she knows what she is saying since she will repeat it for you. I began to make a list and after about 200 words I got tired and realized I had nothing to worry about. She says a ton of words (some of her own version) and understands so much more. The Dr. yesterday said that her speech is completely normal. Perfect speech isn't expected for a 2 yr old. Grace knows her colors, shapes and can count to 10 almost to 20, which is apparently ahead of the curve at this point so that is good.
We originally tried teaching Grace a few signs from baby signs. She got more and all done. Even more interesting, is that she created her own signs for Eat and Thank you. She still signs more and all done along with saying the word. It is like she is adding her own emphasis on the spoken word.
I love that as toddlers are learning to talk, they start pointing out everything they know. In the car, grocery store, etc. I am now getting a running play by play as we walk past the things, shapes, colors that she knows - 'Mommy look berries, Mommy look cookies, MommylLook - M&Ms, Mommy look star, Mommy look pink" and on and on. Additionally, she can't say an animal name without also making its sound or motion in the case of elephants and gorillas.
Everyday, I am amazed at some of the things that she has picked up. We were in the grocery store the other day and she pointed at a bag and said something like 'Spiderman' Sure enough he was on the bag. I know I haven't ever showed her spiderman. She even pointed to pull-ups and said 'Princess'. We haven't avoided Disney princesses and definitely have watched our fair share of Disney shows together like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but we haven't knowingly talked about the princesses before. It really shows that she is paying attention to everything nowadays and therefore Keith and I need to be careful with what we say.
Here are a few of my favorite words of hers right now - many of which are definitely her interpretation. I know that I will miss some but this is a start and I have heard most of these already today.
Memix - music. She even knows her favorite songs and sings along with them - Paradise, Chicken Fried(sounds like butterflies), and Wheels on the Bus. She knows how to start music on the iPhone now too.
Baapi - Paci - We are working to get rid of this, but thankfully she only has it for naps and nighttime
You Too - Her response to 'I love you'. sometimes also says 'Wuv You'
Nya Nya - Thank you - no clue how she came up with this.
Ba-bedge - vegetables. She has a set of Melissa and Doug foods that includes frozen vegetables and this is what she calls them.
YO - yogurt
Nemonade - Lemonade - Pretty much any beverage with a straw, but she also really likes actual lemonade
No, No, No, No, No- no isn't new, but her waving stop sign hand in your face with a head shake is - this isn't a favorite, but I want to remember it cause it is funny when she is doing it to someone else.
Saeee -- sorry. she says this with meaning - head down looking sheepish.
This list would not be complete without "Paweeze' - please. She even will drawl it out and put her hands under her chin when she really wants something.
Maremain - Airplane - getting closer to airwayne at this point. Choo-Choo is another one that she loves
Dip - said very curtly - anything from ketchup, BBQ sauce, queso, etc
Wiggle, wiggle and fweeze - She loves to wiggle and then freezes with her jazz hands out at her sides. This started from a Mickey Mouse and then evolved from a Yo Gabba Gabba.
We weem - ice cream - this is a favorite second only to Cupcakes (cu-cakes)
She has lots of names down(Mommy, Daddy, Mimi, Nanie, Papa and Holly) except for grandpa. That is more like Panpa.
I toot and I burp - these are funny right now because she says it with a guilty grin.
Where are you? There you are - Grace says these for anyone and anything. Even things like shoes - "shoes, where are you? Oh there you are".
Kiss (insert body part) - This started as 'Mwah belbow' but is now kiss belbow(elbow) or other body part she might have hurt a bit. I am kissing lots of boo boos lately.
Finally,
'I help' - I know this one might quickly become old since she wants to help with everything from cooking to taking out trash to yard work. I am just waiting for the 'All by myself' to start as well. Last week before my parents left, we built a square foot garden that I bought at Home Depot. Grace was right in the middle 'Helping'.
Helping with the boards
Wasn't happy until we gave her a hammer too - Mallet was slightly safer.
She wanted to help arrange the plants
Digging her own holes.
Final product - I hope that it produces lots of fruits and vegetables for us. I need to get Grace a small watering can to help water. Handing her the hose the other day was a wet mess.
I was so amazed at the growth from 0 to 1yrs and then 1 - 2yrs. 2 - 3yrs is sure to bring more amazing changes. I'll probably look back at this list next year and marvel at the fact that I barely remember her saying things this way. I have a feeling though that I am not going to be able to get her to stop talking. Keith is in for it - house full of girls that talk all day!