communication lines

yes, folks, the lines of communication are opening up and operators are standing by.

jack is making big strides in his receptive and expressive language and is understanding so much. guess that means our baby is growing up (sniff, sniff).

but, not only is it truly amazing to watch (cbt=corny but true) it is also making life easier.

for example, the one-time battles royale that were diaper changes are now mere idylls on the changing table.

this is achieved by telling jack beforehand (and repeatedly) what's going to happen. for example ... this morning, mommy asked jack: "did you poop?" to which he, sheepishly yet earnestly, nodded yes. so mommy told him: "okay, good. well, we're going to change your diaper, then we're going to wash hands, then we're going downstairs, then we'll get more milk." and this refrain was chanted again and again ... "change dipe, wash hands, downstairs, more milk" ...

so, as jack settled down on his pad to have his diaper change, mommy took out two diapers and gave him the choice between characters on the front -- sesame's elmo or ernie.

when jack picks elmo, mommy sings "la la la la, la la la la, elmo dipe ..." (all you parents with elmo-obsessed offspring will recognize that as the tune to the "elmo's world" segment on sesame street)and when he picks ernie, mommy sings "rubber diaper, you're the one ..." (if you don't recognize that one, you've been living under a rock).

today, as mommy slid the diaper under him and brought it up in the front, jack began singing, "la la la," prompting mommy along ...

finally, with jammies re-secured, jack got off his table. mommy asked, "what's next?" and jack exclaimed, "hands!" he knew it was time to wash hands (which he loves). after "hands!" and "bubbles!" (which is what he calls the soap), daddy took jack back downstairs so mommy could cage a shower.

after mommy was showered and dressed, and daddy had been properly waved to and blown kisses at as he headed off to work, jack made the sign for eat ... to show that he was ready for breakfast.

mommy inquired, "do you want waffle or cereal?" showing him each box. jack selected cereal and then proceeded to eat the lion's share unassisted from the bowl with his spoon. mama helped him finish up and when jack said and signed "all done," she then asked the question that ends nearly every jack-meal: ¿quieres fruta?

well, jack did want fruit, and signed "banana" to show that he wanted to eat the miniature yellow plantain sitting on the table. mommy offered to let jack eat it "like a monkey" and he imitated (some might say aped) the sign for monkey and the crazy hooting that mommy did.

wow -- what a lot of communication! when he's a sullen, laconic teenager, i'm sure we'll look back on these halcyon days with as much wonder as we now regard them.

cbt, folks, cbt ...