Exponential Verbal Growth

In this last week, PJ had an exponential growth in his vocabulary.  I feel like overnight he is saying full sentences and repeating things he hears way more often.

So first I feel I owe you a follow up on "Who's the Boss?"  We have since realized that PJ learned about 'The Boss' from his time with his older cousin in Ohio last weekend.  Ry remembered that his sister and brother-in-law were constantly telling their oldest that she is NOT the boss.  What I find to be fascinating is that it took PJ several days before he tried out the words.  How long did he think about this statement?  Was he trying to figure out the context as to when to say it?  What is he hearing now that he will "try on" later?  What a fun new angle in this parenting adventure!

PJ has been trying out being the boss since we have explained to him what it means, and who is the boss of who.  This week he has been really letting Cheyenne know she is to do whatever he says.  In the past week we have heard a lot more, "Cheysh Cheysh Sit", "Come Cheysh Cheysh", "Stay Right Here!"  He says this with a bit of a demanding voice.  The dog has done her best to comply, but we have also had to explain to PJ that when he bosses her a lot, she needs a break.  She likes to listen to PJ, but he has to be as nice to her as he is bossy.  After this explanation a few times, he now tells he he wants to kiss and hug her, then he tells her what to do...Progress...

On the note of hearing words and ideas, and then waiting several days before he starts using them, last week we heard for the first time and then 100 more times, "Why?", insert answer, then "Why Momma?", insert answer, "But Why?"  Haha, yep, "Why?" has started.
Although we have heard the simple question a lot this week, so far I am loving it!  I loving being able to come up with answers, and share ideas.  I love telling him, "I don't know".  I love showing him how to find out more to his "Why?". 
Please pray that we continue to find joy in this constant question. 

Who's the Boss?

I know I usually post on Mondays what PJ has been saying with his ever expanding vocab but I didn't get the chance this Monday due to traveling.  "Luckily" for the blog world PJ said something tonight for the first time that has caught me off guard and has gotten me thinking about what is to come in this "verbal expansion" adventure. 
Tonight my sweet toddler looked up at me, after I had asked him to go sit down for dinner and said with his hands on his hips, "Momma, not the boss." 
I just stared stunned at him.  A ton of thoughts flooded my head - WHAT! Where did he get that from, the heck I am, haha, $#%(&, where did my baby go??
After about 5 seconds, I found some words and said, "PJ I am your boss, and this boss asked you to go sit down for dinner."  I said it firmly, but lovingly and he didn't seem to mind. 
I thought that was it, he was just testing the waters to see what I would say.  Well he tried it on a few more times tonight, and it turned into more what it means to be the boss.  PJ learned tonight that Momma and Daddy are the bosses of this family.  PJ can be the boss of Cheyenne, but not the boss of MJ.  PJ, MJ and Chey do what Momma and Daddy say, and hopefully we can all be loving to each other. 
It will be interesting to see in the next few days where this came from and how PJ processes this concept.  

Monday with PJ

PJ has been entertaining us with his words lately, more sentences and sharing his ideas and feelings.
My favorite repeats this past week have been about Daddy.
Daddy lost his sunglasses while playing golf last week.  This is significant for a number of reasons.  PJ has a pair of sunglasses that he picked out because they were just like Daddy's.  Ry and I have been encouraging/reminding PJ to be gentle to his sunglasses, to be careful with them, and to just wear them.  So when Daddy came home without his sunglasses, PJ couldn't believe it. 
Since losing the glasses PJ is repeatedly saying "Daddy, sunglasses, golf," and shakes his head back and forth, not good Daddy.  Funniest part of all of this is that Ry knew that I wouldn't be too thrilled if he lost another pair of expensive sunglasses, but I haven't said a word.  PJ has made Ry feel so bad about his mistake.  I have found myself defending Ry telling PJ that "Daddy is so silly, next time he will be more careful." 
We have used this mistake as a lesson, that we make mistakes and we can say sorry and label the mistake silly, instead of being ashamed or punishing for a mistake.  I think PJ is getting it because now PJ uses the word silly, that sounds like "Siddy" whenever we make a goof.  We say "oops sorry, I forgot X" or "oops we put your socks on first, then your shoes."  PJ laughs and says "Siddy Momma" or "Siddy Daddy."
Speaking of sunglasses, PJ is wearing his more often and it is precious!  He looks like quite the cool dude.  So sometimes when I look at him in the car while he is wearing the glasses, I say to him "You are one cool dude!"  Recently he has responded back with "Poppy cool dude?"  Yep, Poppy is a cool dude.  "Daddy?" Yep, Daddy is a cool dude.  Then he asks, "G dude?" to which I say G is a dudette, because she is a girl.  Then he tries out who else is a dudette.  I enjoy these conversations; seeing his little brain categorize and try out words, testing their meaning and our reaction. 

Monday with PJ

We just got back from spending four days in Oregon with the family.  PJ had a hard time leaving some of his favorite people. 
This morning I kept hearing, "No Momma, no Momma, Poppy do."  Which of course I have to say, "Well Poppy is not here so Momma is your only choice." To which he responds, "bed!" 
He wanted to go back to bed instead of start his day without Poppy! 
I had to pause and lay down with him and say "You know what buddy I feel the same way." 
We hugged and then had to call Poppy and G and let them know we missed them, but we will see them soon. 
PJ was able to get up and get going after the phone call, although he did say over and over again, "Soon G, See you soon, soon Poppy," all the way to the door of his classroom at school.   

Monday with PJ

This week we are going to to the G-Rents for the 4th of July Holiday so we have been talking a lot of about G and Poppy, driving to see them and what we are going to do when we get there.
So today PJ says to me before going to bed, "G walk now."  He pauses and says" Poppy no walk, G walk."  He is really looking forward to going for a walk around the property with G.  See you guys soon!

Monday with PJ

Today was a rough day for being the Momma.  I know that sticking to the consequences I layout will help PJ in the long run, but the toddler's yelling, hitting, and general temper tantruming makes it really hard to see much further than 5 minutes down the road.  (A shout out to G for being available to call and calm down before I went in for another round, Thanks!) 

So today since I got yelled at a lot, I thought I would share how PJ has been communicating when it comes to the rules set forth in our house.

Once PJ gets really upset, he yells over and over again "No thank you, No thank you, No thank you."  I must say when I hear this, its hard not to smile and relax just a little bit.  Here PJ is red faced, foaming at the mouth, and yet somehow he finds some polite words to use.

PJ really likes to remind others of the house rules.  Without any prompting while PJ lays down getting his diaper changed -
PJ: "No Momma, No Porter" and point to the blinds above his changing area "Just Daddy"
Momma:  "Thats right, just Daddy can touch the blinds, not for us."
PJ: "No us."

Cheyenne barks at people walking by -
PJ runs up to her, points at Chey, shakes his head and says. "Chey Chey no, quiet.  Quiet"

 When we are playing with PJ, one of his toy boxes is emptied.  To play with another box, the first box has to be returned to the shelf with all the toys that go in it.  We will be sitting playing and he will suddenly say "Trains, Trains" which means a new box.  Immediately he starts saaying "Clean up, Clean up" in a sing song voice and if you start in in with him, he will remind you, "Momma, Clean up, Clean up."

Monday with PJ

We are starting to talk about our days on the way home from school and work.  PJ is still working on participating but he does likes it when I ask him questions.
Momma:  What did you do at school today PJ?  Did you play with play dough?
PJ: Yeah, No Bites, Momma.
haha how many times do you think the teacher had to say to PJ and all of his friends to NOT eat the play dough??

Riding in the car the other day:
PJ: Yucky!
Momma:  What's yucky?
PJ points to his pants.
Momma:  Do you have a poopy?
PJ: Yeah
Momma:  Bummer Dude.
PJ: Yeah, Bummer (which sounds more like wummmer)

PJ keeps repeating a work that sounds like "beaucoup"
Daddy:  PJ did you know "beaucoup" means a lot in French
PJ: Yeah, with a little head nod.  PJ responded in such a way that it would have been more apporpriate if he had said "Duh".  Already smarter than his parents.

1st Monday with PJ

Welcome to Monday's with PJ!  Every Monday I plan to share some of PJ's expanding vocabulary.  We are loving how PJ is putting words together and sharing his thoughts.  The new ability to vocalize is a reflection of PJ growing up and we don't want to forget this stage nor have you all miss it since you aren't with him everyday. 

Conversations we have at least 10 times a day

PJ:  "Poppy, tractor"
Momma: "Yep Poppy has a tractor"
PJ:  "Red, Not Yellow" with a head shake and super serious face.

While Ry was out of town last week:
PJ: "Daddy? Daddy?  Daddy Hug?"
Momma: "Daddy is at work, on an airplane all week and we won't see him until Saturday.  We can blow him kisses and hugs for now."
PJ: "Momma blow, blow" waits for me to hug myself and throw my arms in the air for my hug to make it to daddy.  Then we both blow kisses.
PJ:  "Daddy, airplane, Daddy, Choo Choo"

 

Momma Favorites

Ry and I play a game in front of PJ, where one of us says "Guess What?"  The other says "What?" and then the answer is "I love you"

PJ's interpretation of the game:

Momma: "P Guess what?"

PJ: "Yuvyou"

 



Outside playing ball with Cheyenne and he wants the ball back:
PJ: "Cheysh, Cheysh, Please!"(said in the most sweet pleading voice)

As we drive by the fire house:
PJ points and exlaims "FIRE TRUCK! Fire truck HOUSE!  Loud.  Whee OO Whee OO"