As our little one approaches 2 years old, the inevitability of her growing up is sinking in for real. She’s now tall enough to easily reach things sitting idley by the edge of the dining room table, the kitchen counter, and…..well…every flat surface in the apartment. Her independence is growing, so much so that when she doesn’t feel like eating something in particular she’ll throw one hand up to the side, turn her head and say “No!”
…and there it is. The voice of an Angel.
Yet, it’s not completely developed, and it seems to be the most frustrating thing about growing up at this point. The babble seems endless and in times of distress she looks longingly into our eyes while she speaks. She looks deep into your soul, begging you to understand. What few words she does know we understand are widely used, but sometimes its just not enough.
Today at the park she was running around with her Mother, barefoot in the grass. Apon tumbling down to her hands and knees she quickly sat on her rear and asked my Wife “Why?” When an episode of her favorite show on Netflix is over and she knows it’s time for the next one to be selected, she points to the ledge where we keep the controllers and says “Uh-Oh!” She actually says that for a lot of things. But it’s the unintelligible that means the most.
Sitting on my lap, half sucking her thumb, crying just a little and pointing wildly while she babbles. She is telling me a story, or giving me a lecture. Either of those or…maybe she’s complaining? I don’t know. All I know is that it ends with her looking back at me for a calm moment, accepting that I don’t yet understand, and lays her head on my shoulder. We cuddle for a short moment, as if to acknowlege what just happened and that we love each other despite it, and we’ll keep working on it. We’ll keep teaching her words, and she’ll keep trying to use them.
A lot of parents dread the day their child learns full sentences, assuming it will be more annoying than anything previously imagined. While I do share the occasional distane for an abnoxiously loud child, there’s nothing more that I want than our little one to be able to express herself. I can’t wait till she curses for the first time. Cursing is somewhat vile, sure, but it really gives an emotional edge to the message one is trying to convey. When she drops her first f-bomb, I may cry from happiness.
I can’t wait for her to ask questions and learn new things. For her to read me a book before bed, instead of the other way around. I look forward to the rediculous questions, and the classic barrage of the word “Why”, testing the boundaries of my patience.
This parenting thing is a challange, yes. But the rewards…..oh the sweet, sweet rewards.
-B.K. Mullen
@dadonthemic
www.dadonthemic.com