I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas!
I know I did.
Lots of family time.
Lots of food.
And, more importantly, lots of booze.
I was going to write one of those “Christmas wrap-up” posts today, telling you about the awkward encounter with my extended family on Christmas Eve, the awesome time I had celebrating with my own family on Christmas Day for the first time in many years, and the weird meringue creations my brother-in-law made for dessert.
Who knew that man was so good with egg whites and castor sugar?
But then something more spectacular happened, and I had to share it with all of you.
I have mentioned in the past that my daughter has been a late talker. This used to worry me, but her pediatrician has convinced me it’s nothing to worry about.
So I don’t stress about it very much anymore, but I admit that when I hear about other kids her age saying complicated words like “patience” or “Wednesday”, and forming sentences like “I gonna get you!”, I do freak out a little bit.
And I typically drink a little bit more wine when I hear such things.
But as we don’t socialize with a lot of kids her age, I mostly don’t think about it.
Anyway, Christmas rolled around, and we had 3 celebrations to attend in 2 days, which is more socialization than my daughter has ever done. Add the excitement of new toys and the fact that having a steady stream of booze in my body makes me less anal about sleep schedules, and we had one tired child on our hands by the time we started packing up at my in-laws on the night of the 25th.
Just before we were about to leave, The Kid had a dirty diaper, so the 2 of us escaped into a quiet room so I could change her.
She must’ve loved the peace and quiet because as soon as we went downstairs to join the masses and say our goodbyes, she lost it, and nothing I said, or sang, or did was going to make her happy.
I knew we were on borrowed time, so rather than continue all of my calming shenanigans, I started getting the 2 of us ready to leave while The Hubs loaded up our car.
After I managed to get both of our coats on, I was momentarily distracted by a conversation happening to my right, so I picked up The Kid for a second so I could weigh in on whatever was being discussed.
And just as I did that, she decided she’d officially had enough and yelled: “PUT MY SHOES ON!”
It was the best. Christmas present. ever.
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As a mom of a 3 year old, who was a late talker, I loved this post. Emma would say a word here or there between 18 months and 2 years old. I swear talk about being a nervous first time mom and the fact that her 5 month older cousin was speaking in sentences by this point had me freaked to say the least. But I am here to say that at almost 3 and 1/2, I can’t shut Emma up and the kids talks me blue somedays. So fear not, when they are ready they will talk. Sounds like your daughter did just that and gave you a wonderful Christmas present after all :) :)
Thank you for telling me this! It really has worried me over the last year, but I’ve heard a few other stories about kids talking later, and have taken comfort in that. :) I appreciate you telling me your story!!!! xo
Yay! I bet a 100lbs. just fell off your shoulders! What a terrific gift! The little stinker probably had it in her all along!
I am starting to think she actually says more than I think, but since my hearing is shit, I just don’t pick it up!!!!
It’s tough when you start comparing your kids to others. I did that with the twins – comparing them to the oldest kid. And I compared the twins with each other -which was a disaster of stressful proportions. One twin had *maybe* 3 words by 18 months and the pediatrician suggested having her evaluated by an intervention group. Now, that twin has lapped the other, but it didn’t happen until she was a few months past age 2. At 2 3/4 she is saying full, clear sentences and the other twin is still mumbling a lot and grunting when she can’t get her point across. We think some of her speech patter is due to letting her have a pacifier up until a couple weeks ago.
You never know when a kid is going to develop, but as long as you are aware of the progress and get her help *if* she needs it, then she will be just fine.
And go find a mommy & me music class or something – you’ll probably love it.
Thanks so much for this. It really is nerve-wracking (is that the correct spelling?) when you’re a parent – you start to obsess over milestones and making sure they’re okay. I actually think my child says a lot more than I think she does, but since my hearing is crap, I miss it all!!!!
We did do a music class over the summer, but she was too young and just wanted to climb and lick the walls. I will try again in the Spring!
Best. Christmas. Present. Ever. :) Both my boys were late talkers–closer to three than to two–and they’re ridiculously brilliant and articulate now. Cause, you know, with a mom like me, how could they not be? And I think The Kid’s genetic mix is similar… :P
Hee hee. Of course your kids are ridiculously brilliant!!!!!
You know, I find she’s advanced with other things, so I assume it’ll just all fall into place when it’s meant to. :)
Thanks for sharing – it made me feel better!
xo
What a great Christmas present! She was just waiting for the right moment, that’s all!
My son was a late talker. He never said just one word. He just started talking one day in sentences. And he has never stopped since. I believe the phrase is “Be careful what you wish for.” ;-) Now I have two of them, and it’s hard to get a word in edgewise! ;-)
Wow, it seems that a lot of people have late talkers! My husband’s uncle was the same as your son – did speak until he was about 3, but spoke in full sentences when he did. It will be interesting to see how our little one develops! Thanks for telling me your story. It made me feel better!
Awww! That’s awesome!!
It was pretty cute!!!
Yeah for you! i know exactly how you were feeling. My son didn’t really talk until (I am embarrassed to say) around three-ish. He kind of had his own language which only I could understand and we took him to a few specialists who said there was nothing wrong with him–he was the “thinker” type and would speak when he wanted to…well, to make a long story short, he did the same thing yours did! One day, he just started talking in sentences. We were so happy and relieved, I totally understand how that was your best day ever. (BTW, now mine has his Ph.D. and is a very young Yale professor, so the late talking didn’t hurt him one bit!) Great post.
THANK YOU for sharing this with me!!! It seems that a lot of people had late talkers, so this is obviously not something to stress about. And the fact that your son is a Yale professor makes me feel even better!!!! ;)
Smiling all the way. Love that she yelled it at you. She didn’t just talk, she demanded. Good girl! :)
I think she was trying to say, “CAN WE GET THE EFF OUT OF HERE ALREADY?!”
I’m in so much trouble when she actually learns how to talk…
Best directive given by one’s offspring ever!! Merry Christmas, Mama! ;)
Hee hee. It was pretty awesome! Merry belated Christmas to you, too!