I can't believe I was ever concerned about
Rachel's language skills!
Oh. My. Goodness!
This sweet child can talk...and talk...and talk!
I truly wish I was keeping track of her words somewhere.
There are little ones who have quite the vocabulary by age 2. When she did not seem to be saying too much by then, or as much as others, I was concerned. We mentioned it to her pediatrician at her 2 year Well Baby visit. She asked us a few questions and our answers made her smile and say she had no concerns. From a very early age, Rachel has demonstrated incredible receptive language and comprehension skills. She would see me doing things and make decisions on her own. For example, before she could even walk, when she'd see me at the kitchen sink washing dishes or my hands she'd go into the towel drawer and bring me a dish towel. I never had to ask. She'd put laundry in her hamper, trash into the garbage, toys and books where they belong etc...she'd get her shoes, socks, jammies, hairbrush, toothbrush and stuff if I asked or was simply saying what we were going to do next. I still remember the time I needed a sandwich bag for something in our old house and she brought one to me. I didn't even realize she knew which drawer held the baggies and wraps. The list just goes on and on. I have had more than one person comment on how observant she is. She is always quietly assessing every aspect of her surroundings. Being a first time Mommy, I had to just realize that these little sweethearts are truly going to do things at their own pace. There is no strict right time or wrong time. I remember "letting" one Mom, who always let everyone know all that her child was saying and signing etc, make me feel very insecure. Then I realized one day that her child was not walking and running and climbing etc...stuff Rachel was doing quite well. Our little ones just had different skills they were focusing on, that's all!
I have to smile at the different things I have worried about over the past (almost) three years. I guess I could simply say, "I'm a Mom. That's my job!" and I can only imagine the things I am going to be worrying about for the next 5, 10, 20+ years! Anyway...back to the language skills...Well, I am not proud to say I have caught myself more than once lately saying to Rachel, "Shhhh, just a sec..." I AM proud of her language skills and vocabulary and excitement about it all, but...sometimes this Momma needs a moment of silence to collect my own thoughts and keep my head from spinning. Apparently I say, "Pretty soon." and "Pay attention." a lot:). Those are two phrases I am hearing a lot lately!
"Rachel, do you need to use the potty?"...
"No...pretty soon!"
"Rachel, it is time for your nap."...
"No...pretty soon."
Yes, she has finally learned the word, "No." Hmmm... Then yesterday, at Starbuck's, we were waiting in line and I realized she was repeating, "Pay attention. Pay attention. Pay attention." I was like, "What are you saying..." then I realized I had just said it to her several times when we were walking across the parking lot! I guess I say it when we reach a curb etc...Oh, and another new favorite..."Rachel do it Rachel's self!". Oh, boy...What is really funny is when one of us does something or when Sheena does something Rachel claps and says, "Good job!". I had a few especially proud moments this past week. One was when I was doing dishes and I heard a little voice behind me counting the sections of wood surrounding the island in the kitchen. She also counted the stack of Christmas plates when I was moving them last month...with almost 100% accuracy:). She does sometimes "stumble" when she gets to 15 and 16. The other thing is how very patiently she waits...and waits...for her turn to get the stamps and sparkles on her hands at Gymnastics and Kindermusik. She just stands off to the side with both arms extended while other little kiddos are jumping on or around the teacher. People have commented to me about her behavior and patience. She is the only little one who sits on the blanket for the entire story in Kindermusik too! It is a small class and she is one of the older and more shy little ones in there to be honest. I am still very proud of her though. I don't feel as though we have done anything specifically to "make" her this way. It just seems to be her personality, if that makes sense?
Oh, and we have always worked on saying, "Please." and "Thank you." with her and we always respond with "You're welcome." So last night, at Kindermusik, she was really excited about the stamps and sparkles and came to me and said, "Please push up Rachel's sleeves for doggy stamps, Momma." I did and she turned around to the teacher and said, "Momma push up Rachel's sleeves for stamps sparkles, please...thank you...you're welcome!". It got quiet then the other Mom's started laughing and smiling. (just three others) Rachel has been so shy and quiet in there and I think they wondered if she even could talk! She certainly surprised them all! Then she proceeded to tell Teacher Carol that she has a "doggy named Shee-Shee" and it was just "Shee-Shee's Happy Birthday" and she made her "cupcake treats" etc...her teacher just looked at me and I knew she was surprised to have Rachel suddenly moving closer to her and also engaging her in conversation. Once she got over her confusion of thinking it was Rachel's birthday, she asked how old her doggy is. Rachel promptly responded, "Nine!". Yes, a proud Mommy moment! That's our observant girl who has great comprehension skills...and apparently a very good memory! It is so much fun hearing what comes out of her mouth lately:).
Now...
some photos for the
Steeler's fans!
Frank is a San Diego Chargers fan.
I am a Denver Broncos fan.
As you can tell from the video,
Rachel likes the Ohio State Buckeyes!
Well, since none of the above were in Sunday's
Super Bowl,
we chose someone else to cheer for.
(I was kind of just there for the commercials:))
Frank chose the Packers.
You will never find me cheering for a Wisconsin team,
so I was rooting for the Steelers!
Rachel just so happened to have a Steelers t-shirt
in a size 2T from Grandma and Grandpa!
And...a cute little yellow Gymboree tutu
from a clearance rack like 2 years ago.
(Who would have thought she'd still fit into
a size 12-18 months at almost age 3?
Guess I got lucky:))
So, I made a black and gold/yellow headband/hairbow
added some black leggings and
yellow slipper socks from Uncle Jamie
and we have our own little
Steeler's "Cheerleader"!
A little "cheerleader" who soon discovered that
she likes...Doritos!
Yum!
...and Mickey Mouse lollipops!
Now for a little primping at her new Princess Vanity!
(Thank you, Uncle Jeff & Aunt Amy!)
We cannot go for long without reading a book!
She's been carrying around her Daddy's favorite lately...
"Green Eggs and Ham"!
Who better to read it to her than the Da-Da!?
Then it was my turn:).
Dr. Seuss books are so much fun to read!
