Yak, yak, yak...

Hieeeeeeeee...

Vern took these shots of Kait yakking away last month, when she turned 19 mos.

She understands more than she can really carry out a conversation at this point. But it's amazing to watch her grasp and speak new words -- from what she hears, sees, and touches. Bit by bit, she's also using the words she can say, to talk to us.

At bathtime, she wanted me to know that the cut on her knee still hurt: "Owww" , pointing to it. There was a bit of "blood". The boo-boo because she fell "poom" on the "rock" in the sand she liked to "dig-dig". This was at the "park-park" (playground), where "ma ma" (this mom) had taken her and the two "Gor Gor"s (big brothers) to "play".

Never mind that "rock" sounds like "walk" and "fork". Or "shoes" like "juice" and "you". She also still calls penguins "A-O-A-O": this, from the "Penguins of Madagascar" theme song -- the last part with the spy-like music she'd go "mmmmmm" in addition to the upbeat "A-O-A-O", months ago when it was Ben's fave cartoon then. Most other animals she generalizes as "woah-woah", though she calls "woah-woah" "dog", too, like "bird" she knows but refers to as "A-O-A-O" also.

Her other "WOAAAHHH!!!" without pretense, is as big an exclamation as when Jon uses it, and so is her "WOW!!!". Other words like "knock-knock" she had picked up from the Gor Gors also, when they were making up silly jokes for Halloween. There are other such repeated words, like "hot-hot", "dark-dark", and her fave "bao-bao" (carry me).

Earlier words "more" and "done" she signed since little are as relevant in the bathroom now, as it's at the dinner table still. When it comes to food, "nai" (nice) and "good", as are asking for "more" and giving me two fingers-up, are all compliments to this mom :).

Last month was also when Kait got good at claiming this and that to be "mine". At the same time, she started doing a mean imitation of the (good) daddy telling her "No, no, no", wiggling her finger to assert the no-no. With the same finger she would then touch her NOSE, and continue to say "No!"...

That's when she's not the only one who breaks out in giggles, knowing she's got us confused, whether her "No" means "no", or "nose" that she calls "no", too! There's also the other "(s)no!", the light hail on and off on different days last week, that saw her going "sno, no" excitedly, as she watched the tiny pellets rain down outside the window!

Of all the talking going on, my favourite is when Kait fills in the blanks for this: I love _____ YOU!!!

Kids, they drive us half-insane more often than not, but being able to interact with them, and especially that special connection and bond we feel with our children, is something that words alone can't explain.

I love to catch Jon and Ben when they are in a talkative mood, and look forward to more and more conversations with Kait, too!

Pictures of Kait at 19 mos from Vern's cell, she is turning 20 mos. She still enjoys playing a game or two on his phone. She's also let her finger do the walking and pointing on the computer and TV, thinking they work on that same touch-screen concept. Besides the phone, she's also put a calculator, a pedometer, a toy car, and more things, even her pants, to her ear to yak away!

P.S. I'd chat more, if I hadn't just said what I should have over 10 posts. So let me just save the mobile mobile girl's antics, that's giving me quite the workout, to talk about another day. This is the fun and playful, and also mischievous stage!