Things She Says

Virginia talks a lot these days. She repeats almost everything we say, like she is trying it out. Figuring out how to say it, what it means, when you might say that. That kind of thing. With so much repeating, if there are things she doesn't repeat instantly I don't think about the fact that she might have learned them. But she has. In context.

For example, the other night I was helping Virginia take off her socks. She likes for me to get them over her heels so she can just yank them off. After we got them off together she exclaimed, "Nice work, Momma!" (This comment also makes me wonder if I am over praising, but at least she didn't tell me I was "smart.")

And then a couple of evenings ago John was going to hang out with her while I took a shower. He had already decided that they were not going to watch any TV, but Virginia instantly requested, "Watch Dorap?" (That's "Dora." I don't know why she pronounces it with a "p" on the end.) Instead of just telling her "no" and suggesting another activity, John decided to tease her.
"Do you want to watch my car show?"
"No. Watch Dorap."
"What about that cooking show that I like?"
"No. Only Dorap."

I think this comes from the fact that when we offer Virginia choices she often tries to come up with an unoffered third.
"Would you like milk or water?"
"Juice."
"Your choices are only milk or water."
So she is trying to turn that technique around on us.

Both of these comments have totally floored me because she didn't repeat them right after one of us said them. She understood them, saved them up, and said them at the right time. I am really loving being able to communicate with her!



Look at this girl getting ready to be a great (and probably bossy) big sister!

Light Switch Rave

The other night Virginia walked over to the wall, reached up, and turned the lights off. Then she turned them on again. Then she said "Look, Momma. Lights off! Lights on!"

I was very puzzled by this new development for a moment. You see, I distinctly remember a time when I was old enough to need to turn the lights on and off by myself but wasn't tall enough to do so. My father made me a pole with a hook on the end so I could nudge the switch up or pull it down.

My daughter seems to take after me, so far, in that she is petite. So how is it possible that at under two she can reach the light switch?!!

Then I remembered that we live in a handicapped accessible apartment. All the light switches are much lower on the wall than in a normal building. When we first moved in I had to get used to the different height, but now I don't even think about it any more. In fact, when I am using light switches in other people's homes I usually reach for the wrong spot on the wall.

I guess that when we eventually move away, if Virginia is not tall enough to reach the switches in our new place, I'll have to get her a pole with a hook on the end.