Language cusp
Audrey's right on the cusp of some big thing, most probably a big language explosion. She's been bursting at the seams to know "what's that" and playing hard with anything involving her "ABCs," from the magnets on the fridge to anything else with letters. This is wonderful and natural and is driving us all crazy. I don't think anyone who hasn't watched a toddler on the cusp of a language breakthrough--or any other big milestone, for that matter--can possibly the understand the awesome frustration experienced by both parent and child.
For Marshall and me, the frustration is reactive and thus diluted. For Audrey, it is all consuming. She wants to communicate with so much more than single words, but she's not quite there yet. When she demands "Ojo," what she really wants is the songs and predictable movements of Bear in the Big Blue House. Her cries for "Ali!" encompass both the book Hush, Little Alien and so much more. The way I sing the words? The sway of the rocking chair as we read? The whole experience?
She's learning more esoteric concepts, as well. Today, she learned what "hot" means. Can you imagine? And she's been fascinated with a picture book we have of baby faces--this baby is sad; this baby is surprised; etc. She's been able to mimic the different baby faces for a long time now. Recently, though, it seems that she's recognizing the emotions behind the faces.
I'm at once astounded by how quickly her mind is developing and anxious for the time when we can hold real conversations. God knew what he was about when he made babies.