words and such

Today Theo made linguistic history. I am almost certain that no other child has ever said the following combination of words for the first time in one day:

- Booty
- Turtle
- Burr (as in cold)

No, he didn't use booty in the sexist male way that it is often used - "damn, that's a fine booty." It came out when he was having a nice healthy snack in his high chair at the far end of the kitchen. I walked in at the other end and discreetly opened the bag of Veggie Booty (a salty, veggie seasoned puffed corn snack popular with the kids these days) that was hidden on the counter and took a handful. I looked over at Theo. He smirked and as clear as day said “booty.” Of course he wanted some and so I turned his healthy snack into a not-so-healthy one.

He also showed his comprehension of the word booger for the first time. He had some sweet boogers in his nose today (has been cold and dry). Earlier today I tried to relieve the little guy of his boogers to no avail. He didn’t like it. Then this afternoon when he was having milk I got a big one. I repeatedly used the term at both attempts. Then at dinner Penny asked Theo where he stores boogers and he pointed up his nostril at his nose. Amazing.

He seems to be adding words quickly. Others that he started saying in the past few days:

- Bear (sounds sort of like burr above but you know he’s saying bear because he has the bear Christmas tree ornament in hand)
- Boat (doesn’t say the “t” very well but can point to his toys that are boats and say “boa”)
- Grapes (admittedly doesn’t sounds much like grapes but he says eps)
- Zipp (he likes to make a zipping sound when he sees a zipper)
- Clock (sounds more like dah but he makes that sound when pointing at a clock, will also make a tick – tock type of sound when he sees one)

Overall he seems really comfortable with b words.

Tonight he got back on the walking track too. The past few days he seems to have gotten a little more independent. He’s willing to walk down the kitchen without Penny’s hand and he has also started to stand up from the downward dog position more often. He always seems to make the most progress just before bed. Tonight we moved the ottoman out of the way in the living room and played our usual game with the doggy and kitty stacking donut toy. I sit on the chair, Penny sits on the couch with the donuts stacked on the cart, and Theo brings all the pieces over to me (one or two at a time). Tonight he walked back and forth over a dozen times and did so with lots of confidence. Although he doesn’t always go in a straight line. Penny likened it to a professional bowler who spins the ball such that you think it is gonna be a gutter ball but somehow it curves right into the heart of the pins for a strike.