Talking with a Toddler

Clara is my sweet sweet girl. At 26 months, she couldn't be cuter or more of a joy to have in our family. On days when she eats well and gets a good long nap, she just melts us with her gentleness and sweet spirit. On those other days, well, she's an agent of the Holy Spirit sent to teach me extreme patience and grace and consistency. . . .

Anyway, I wish I could record and repeat everything she says these days. Her little "accent" is to die for. Here are a few of the words and phrases I hear daily. I will translate actual meanings for you. I'm secretly on a campaign to keep some of these words in circulation in our family for years.

Tuq=Cute
Foos=Shoes
Rocks=Crocs
Candles=Sandals
Cool=Pool
Snimmy=Smoothie
Kepuch=Ketchup
Poppy=Potty
Brushtoof=Toothbrush
Boufy=Beautiful (lately evolving into Bou-fi-fi)
Yuv=Love

"Mama, I need my bi-keee-neee, I wanna go in my cool!"

"I put my Rocks on awe by mysewf."

"Oh, Dada, thew's a fish on yew yeg." (about Jeff's tattoo.)

"Mama, I go pee in my poppy"

"Mama, I need mow kepuch."

"Tuq outfit, Jack. I yuv it!"

"Wehws Waldo? oh. I dohn know. . ."

"Brrr, my snimmy is so feezin."

"Oh Geed job, Dada. Yew put yew foos on aaw by yewsewf!"

"Mama, yew yike yew Am-mew-wi-ca-no?" (at Starbucks)

"G'mawnin! It's a Boufy Boufy day!"

Here are some funny exchanges:
Christy: "ouch!"
Clara: "wha happen Mama?"
Christy: "I bumped my hand."
Clara: "oh, can I kiss it."
Clara: (kiss) "thewah. Aww beddaw."

Jack: Crying (loud)
Clara: with her hand on his head: "Wahs wong, Jack? Dohn wonny, I'm wight hewe."

(Jeff and I call each other "Babe".) Jeff leaves the room and Clara says: "Mama, whews Babe go? Is he gonin poppy?"

Clara's Bible Verses:

"Be kiiind to one a-non-erh."

"Che-dwen, o-baaaaay yew panents."

And very often she will talk to herself while playing saying things like, "Push it, Cawa." "Geed job, Cawa."

These are just about the best parts of my day. I can't wait to hear what she comes up with next.