Thursday 17 June 2010

Shhhh, don't tell Mummy I can talk

Callum seems to be talking in secret at the moment. I've been worried that, although he is saying words, he didn't seem to be saying very many and what he does say isn't particularly clear to anyone other than us. As always, it is hard not to compare to other children his age who say some really good, solid, clear words. I raised it with nursery and asked whether he should be saying more and speaking clearer and they weren't concerned. Then today they said they caught him speaking more in secret when you think you can't hear. Sneaky bugger!

But I think they are right. Sometimes, he catches me off guard and says a really clear word and, because it is out of the blue or a new word (or both) you think you must have imagined it.

He did a lovely little song in the car today too. I couldn't understand any of the words but it was in tune perfectly to ging gang gooley gooley gooley ging gang goo, ging gang goo (is that how the song goes - remember my friend singing it at Brownies but wasn't a Brownie myself). When I acknowledged it he went stum!

New not so clear words are:

Truck - dwuck
All gone - gall go
Thank you - dan du

Grrr, and another one that he said tonight that I can't for the life of me remember. Rubbish!

A funny thing tonight - he was watching In the Night Garden and the Tombliboos (for anyone who knows what the hell I am talking about) kept nodding their heads and he was copying. Nothing new there. Then he saw Lotté washing herself which looked like she was nodding her heard, so he started nodding again but noticed she was getting her chin right down to what was effectively her chest to wash that part of her fur and he was trying to copy her. Very cute!

Another thing us alcoholic parents have taught him is how to say 'cheers' and clink his cup - think Stuart can take blame I mean credit for that :o) but probably shouldn't be doing it with beer in his cup.....only joking, its with his milk cup....with milk in it!!!

He understands loads now. He had tipped his puzzle pieces of one jigsaw out on the floor on one side of the sofa and then bought the empty tray round to me. It is one of those ones with shapes cut out of it. I would say to him "go and get the truck" and off he would go, pick up that piece and bring it back, fitting it in the appropriate whole. He was very good at it so definitely understands the words. He is starting to notice the picture on a puzzle now, if it is a full picture puzzle and in books is pointing at things for me to say what they are. I think we'll get there.

All this said, he is still very private with his talking and has to feel completely comfortable in his environment before he talks. He chatters all the time at home (whether it is actual words or gibberish) but hardly says a thing when anyone other than Stuart or I are around. I feel like people must think I am making it up when I tell them what he can say as they never hear proof of it!

Oh yes, nearly forgot. Callum does lovely closed mouth kisses now and will give you a kiss without you even asking. He'll come past you, grab your face with both hands and give you a little closed mouth kiss on the mouth - awwwwww! I love those moments :o)

Tuesday 8 June 2010

21 Months

Every day is completely different to the last at the moment. One day is good, another could be hard work.

Callum is so fiercely independent but he also gets so frustrated when he can't make me understand - and likewise, I get frustrated when he doesn't understand.

His speech is coming along but at a slow rate and his words aren't clear. Sometimes, I can understand what he is trying to say, but it doesn't sound much like the word and I'm not sure anyone else would understand. For example, I think he says "lolo" for "all gone". I had thought he was trying to say "Hello" but then realised he mainly says it when something is empty or he doesn't want anymore of something. He does also say it when reading his bath book as the Octopus waves hello, so who knows.

I still find it so hard to know how to discipline him. I know I should be consistent but I am also trying to do different things to see what works. I try hard not to get angry at him but then I end up feeling like he is getting away with murder and it is not how I want to raise him, which then makes me cross. I keep telling myself, it will be easier when we can communicate with one another and I can explain and reason, but then worry it will be too late and I will have started bad habits.

Gah! I know this is how so many other mums feel but I so wished there was a step by step manual!

I am also worried a bit about his behaviour at nursery as he has started hitting. I know it is mainly out of frustration from not being able to communicate but it isn't something I want to encourage obviously. I hope it is just another 'phase' and one he grows out of quickly.

Its not all hard work though, there are good days. He can be so lovely. Especially when he gives you kisses.

We all had a lovely day swimming the other day. We went to the leisure centre in Guildford. The swimming pool is great with lots of big slides, wave machines, fountains. Callum loved it. There was this little slide that he would climb up himself and go down. Then he just decided to go down head first into the water - it was only shallow but still a face full of water. He loved it. Stuart and I also took him on one of the big slides too, on our laps.

I also took him to a farm the other weekend. He loved feeding the sheep. It was so cute. He kept trying to feed them with one pellet squished between his fingers but would then get scared. Then I showed him how to open his hand and feed them and he loved it. We also went on a tractor trailor ride which he wasn't that bothered about - and to be honest, nor was I! Been on one tractor trailor ride, been on them all! We did see lots of animals and he was going on really big slides on his own. I'd definitely take him again.

Anyway, early start for me tomorrow. So off to bedski with me!