Emerging Language

This is a really fun time with the twins because they are beginning to do less (just a LITTLE less) screaming and trying to communicate in other ways. Their babbling across the tops of the cribs is starting to sound more and more like English word patterns, and I don't think there are many other sounds quite as sweet.

Signs: I've tried to work on signs. I don't know if I haven't been consistent enough or if I give in too early when they want "more" of something, handing it over before they actually complete the sign. I'm sure they're smart enough to learn them, but we haven't made too much progress. They sign for "all done." Occasionally I'll see someone sign "more." Of course they wave bye bye and blow kisses. That's about it though.

Songs: We've been singing and doing hand motions to lots of songs lately. They are most competent with "Twinkle Twinkle". Both of them do some of the motions even when I'm not right there doing it with them, like say I'm doing dishes while I sing with them in their highchairs. We've been working on "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes", "Wheels on the Bus", and "Happy and You Know It". They do some of the motions in each, which is great. Then, Sadie dug through quite a few bins and baskets Friday and came across Owen's old favorite, Laurie Berkner Band DVD. The twins have LOVED watching this in the van, and get their little grooves on in their car seats. The best part of kiddie music is watching them dance their little boppy baby dances. I have been trying and trying to get it on video, but getting out the camera always seems to ruin the moment. I'll keep trying and hopefully get it posted soon.

Books: I cannot sit down without a book being handed to me and a little bottom plopping into my lap. It's great! It's also a little tiring to read about the bunny's fluffy tail for the eighty-fourth time each day. But now they both know how to do an elephant sound, a duck sound (ack ack), and monkey (ooh ooh ah ah ah ah ah).

Sadie's words: Sadie says "nie nie" (night night), which means blankie. She calls herself "Didi." Of course there's "Mama" and "Dada", and a couple of times I've heard her say "Bake" clear as day. She also says a knowing or interested, "oooooooh," as in "ooooooh Dada." Hard to explain in text, but it's super cute in person.

Blake's words: Blake is very good at "hi," and says it to a lot of people when we're out and about. He's got "Mama" and "Dada" down. Other than that, there aren't many that he says consistently, but he can clumsily repeat just about any word you say to him. He is a very good copier.

I know this is just the beginning, and I am so excited for each new word to make it into their vocabulary. I remember this stage with Owen was such a blast, and the poor people at school had to be tired of hearing me come in every morning with a new language update. Now, all of you blog readers will be the ones I brag to. :)