Language

I am truly fascinated by the development of language. I remember how excited we were when Isis would make sounds that just slightly resembled a word she recognized. Then came the actual word. After that came two word sentences. Then longer sentences. Then questions for Mommy and Daddy. Then conversations initiated by her with her own ideas.

Some days Isis' words are a quick reminder of things I say often. For example,

"This baby pooped. It's nasty. Don't touch it. It's huge."

What can I say? These words have come out of my mouth alot over the past two years. Did I think she wouldn't begin to use them as well?

Other days I am amazed at the size of the words she is using in correct context. For example,

"Daddy, don't hit the table. That is dangerous." or
"Baby, no, no! That's inappropriate."

I giggle when I hear her say these kinds of things. Then there are those phrases she learns from other places, like Sunday School. A few weeks ago she came home singing a song telling us that
"God will be your shelter, night and day."

She is caring and thoughtful as well. A few days ago she invited me into the living room...

"Come in Mommy. Don't be shy. Come play with my doll house."

Perhaps her greatest feat up til now is memorizing the tune and words to a Creedence Clearwater Revival song. My father has been singing this song to me for years. I have been singing it to Isis for two years. She is now singing it to her baby.

"It was down in Louisiana, just about a mile from Texarcana, in them old cotton fields back home."

I think I could listen to her say Louisiana and Texarcana forever.

But just a few days ago came the statement of all statements. It was not influenced by anyone I know. It was hers and I have no idea where in the world it came from, but it made me laugh out loud very hard and everytime I think about it I laugh just as hard.

Her friend Billy comes to play five days a week. It was snowing and I gently told her that Billy might not be coming tomorrow because of the snow. I asked her what we should do instead. She replied very quickly with no contemplation,

"Kick a pig."

She is mine and most things about her Chris and I can take credit for. But as for pig kicking, I think perhaps she is becoming her own person.