Newborns cry to communicate what they are feeling. Then, throughout babyhood they start communicating in different ways.They start pointing, grunting, and showing you things that they want. Then one day, seemingly way sooner than you expected, they just say what they want. When this happens, it feels like a whole new struggle ensues. In the struggle between babyhood and toddlerhood, communication seems to separate the babies from the kids.
At sixteen months, Jonah, is very verbal and can say so many words I’ve lost count. More than walking, or taking a bottle, or pacifier, the ability to communicate separates him more and more from his baby-ness.
Just this weekend, he started saying “milk”. It’s usually proceeded by more, but hey at least I know exactly what he’s asking for. This is a mix of emotion for me as his mom. I am so proud of him, but also a little sad that he really is a toddler, not a baby.
From his prospective, I can see him struggle too. Sometimes, he still cries when he wants something and sometimes I just have no idea what he’s saying. I know this won’t last for long, but listening to him and not understanding him breaks my heart. Tonight I watched him tell my niece something, who knows what, and she just kept on playing with him like she understood him perfectly…maybe she did. It’s just a really small thing, that is just so huge in his eyes.
It’s the beginning of being independent, making friends, and just being a kid. I can’t believe it’s happening already.
What were the milestones when you realized your baby was really no longer a baby?
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