I have written a number of times about our two-year old daughter Abby, who is ridiculously cute now. To make matters cuter, she pronounces the letter "f" as an "s" sound, so we get to hear this type of banter each day:
"Mama, kitty cat too sussy cute." In the preceding sentence, "sussy" is "fluffy".
"Dada, I was you." I have actually shared this phrase here on my blog before - it's Abby's way of saying "I love you."
"Dada, make a sunny sace." You can probably decode this one by now.
She likes to see "sours" (flowers), "goggies" (doggies), and "sroggies" (froggies).
Anytime we are near a cute animal of any kind, she asks, "Can I pet him?" Sometimes, it is a rabbit, and they are simply too fast to pet effectively.
Recently, I have realized that Abby is the most independent child we have had, although some of this may stem from the fact that she is our youngest and my wife and I are too tired to properly conduct our parenting duties, so she is forced to fend for herself more. I am (half) joking.
One very cool result is that Abby is the first of our three children to take an active interest in potty training. When our older kids were smaller, people would say things like, "Well, they'll get the hang of it before they leave the house. Hahahahaha!" I wasn't so sure, and I didn't honestly appreciate the smug and overly confident laughter. But I digress...
Abby has successfully completed both of the major potty functions IN THE ACTUAL POTTY now, so we are well on our way to a new joyous day in the Crouch household.
The other day, my wife made the remark that Abby enjoys helping with housework. WHAT?!? This was such a foreign concept that it took me a minute to process this information. My other kids become decorative pillows when the subject of chores is raised. They sort of melt into the couch upholstery, zapped of all youthful energy. I have sometimes thought it would be funny to say this in rapid-fire succession:
"Kids! Ice cream time! Chore time! Ice cream time! Chore time!"
I could then watch them leap up, then slump over, then run, then fall to the ground in a fetal position and a glazed expression of fierce ennui.
Maybe tomorrow I will do just that.
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I can relate, My son would pronounce his K's like T's, so instead of sounding Kitty, it sounded different with a T
Imagine your child yelling , Look at the tittie (lol) when he meant Kittie
Nice post....I have 5 and my 3 year old always blows the words. AMINAL...is my favorite. Uncle Bitch instead of Rich.
Aaaww, too cute. My now 20 year son used to say snake for steak and noctor pepper and to this day we harass him about it. Enjoy then while they are young, I miss the cute stuff!
Hi Jason...I love it when you share your children's antics. Makes me remember when mine where young like that so long ago. Fortunately, we have two 5-year old grandchildren but even they are growing up so fast.
Kathleen
Jason, I needed my nightly laugh and you, as always, provided it for me. You are a great sather. Your srend, Deb
Later in the rain~Deb
Had to contribute my story after reading this one! When my son was little, he pronounced an "x" sound like a "k" sound. That was back when, when the movie The Fox & The Hound was the kiddy favorite. Anyone remember The Fox & The Hound? Well, imagine it ... my son running around the living room hollering out, "I wanna watch the Fock'n' Hound"!!! LOL Okay brought back a funny, funny memory of mine. Ha! Thanks for the good laugh!
BRETT - We had EXACTLY the same experience here, which I wrote about many months ago. Funny stuff -
LARRY - I feel sorry for Uncle Rich. As least his name isn't Uncle Mastard.
MICHELLE - My mom still mentions from time to time that I called the grocery store "grofy door".
KATE - Thanks for your encouraging comments!
DEB - You are a sunny srend.
KATHY - Believe it or not, I once blogged about the fact that we had to temporarily ban the book "Fox in Socks" in our house because of Abby's pronunciation issues.
Jason - I am rolling at your description of the kids turning into decorative pillows at the mention of chores! That is perfect!
For potty training, we told our son he couldn't play hockey unless he was potty trained... so a week late we booked his lessons to learn how to ice skate... at three. He started Cross Ice on Sunday.
He wants to be a goalie... so far. He's four and loves to shoot the puck.
Jasonizer, We are all so lucky, enjoy every minute of what you have with your children.
Jason- That is so cute! I love it when kids are little learning to talk. My kids all potty trained themselves except my first son. I got him one of those potties that sings when they tinkle and the doll that pees. I spent one full day with him at 18 months old in the bathroom doing the way the book said to do it, it worked like a charm. The rule was, I could not answer the phone, cook or do anything but pay attention to him, fill him up with juices and water so much so he had to go pee all the time. It was a full 12 hour day, but never again did I have to do anything.
When the others came along, I took their diapers off between 15 and 18 months so they could 'feel' they had to go. All of those including Tristan were potty trained including night time by 18 months old. I loved not have to do the diaper thing anymore when they were getting to that age.
She really is a cutie, Jason.
On a tangent, potty training is not my domain. I do my best as we are a male dominated household, but short of bribery and offering "it's all downhill from here" once Jack assumes the position, I am a complete waste of space. Fortunately, his mother pretty much has him squared away on that front. That clears the way for phase two. I'm in charge of teaching him trick shots. Brandi is not aware of this fact.
JASON - Abby is clearly ahead of schedule in many ways. Nice to see that you've got a little housekeeper on your hands. Mine just likes to throw things on the floor as we're cleaning the room.
SLAYBAUGH - It's too bad that you live in such a warm climate and can only teach trick shots. Up north, we teach "snow writing."
Jason, Too cute, I love to listen when young children talk. It is almost like each one has their own language. It must be the third child thing because Victoria, my third, always was more helpful than the other two until she hit 13. Now she has the same "melting" syndrome as the rest of them but enjoy Abby's assistance while you can.
Recently, I have realized that Abby is the most independent child we have had, although some of this may stem from the fact that she is our youngest and my wife and I are too tired to properly conduct our parenting duties, so she is forced to fend for herself more. I am (half) joking.
My youngest it too, yep too tired to be as strick with the rules, too old....
Jason,
The part about about the kids becoming decorative pillows is jus to "sunny". My daughter who is the youngest didn't even talk until she was 2 years old just point and grunt and everybody knew shat she wanted. Then at 2 she was talking in full sentences. I guess that is what happens when you are the only girl in the family?
Don R.
Crouchmeister...
Decorative pillows ... I like that. My daughter's favorite treats were "Dodies." (Doughnuts) which continues to this day. She's 30.
Jason - thanks for this wonderful story - and lots of laughs. As the mother of a 4 year old and 1 year old, I can relate!
Ahhhhh, the joys of having small children around! Enjoy every minute because they'll be driving before you know it. Then you'll be writing about their weddings, as Rich just did, or their children, as I sometimes do...
Too cute! My daughter used to walk around with a cloth in her hand wiping down everything in the house. Both girls would sing "Clean up, clean up everybody everywhere."
Thanks for sharing Jason, that made me laugh, kids really bring a different perspective to life.
Makes me think of M & M's. They were my favorite potty training tool!
My brother used to pronounce TR words with F's... So while going through the store one day, he saw a nice big truck...and started screaming... &UCK *UCK! People gave my dad & mom some of the ugliest looks ever!
I can relate to the part about being too tired to parent! With 3 of my own and 2 step kids, I'm exhausted, but my 4 year old seems to be getting cuter every day! He called a Chihuahu an ichiwowah the other day and I couldn't stop laughing! (By the way, I totally had to search how to spell Chihuahu).
Hey Jason, I have two very self-directed boys, so I understand your Abby's indie. Kids are soooooooo much fun at that age. Enjoy your day. Regards, C.
Jason, Our daughter is the independent one as well. Its not always quite as cute as it once was I have to say.
I had to chuckle though at the f's and s's and everyone elses comments. It brought back funny memories here as well.
Jason, I have shared with you in the past some of the embarrassing comments my oldest has said in public, but, since you brought kids up, I have a new one to add from this week actually. We were sitting down for dinner and my oldest asked, "Is this diarrhea?" Now, I quickly looked at my wife, because not even I would call her cooking that and live! but it turns out he got quesadilla and diarrhea mixed up, they do sound alike, right?
I love that 'their' language is understandable only by 'you'. our granddaughter is 15 mo and every word 'sounds' the same but grandma Cheryl always know what the kiddo is wanting!!. enjoy them cw
I love that 'their' language is understandable only by 'you'. our granddaughter is 15 mo and every word 'sounds' the same but grandma Cheryl always know what the kiddo is wanting!!. enjoy them cw
Jason, Abby sounds SO cute. It makes me miss having a baby around the house. My daughter just turned 15 this month and I still can't believe it! Cherish these moments and take as many videos as you can. I was SO tired of hearing everyone say "before you know it they will be grown". Sadly, it is so darn true! I miss miss miss having a little one around.
I love this stage. I know it's wrong- but I don't ever want to correct my kids speech or fix their impediments. Eventually they work themselves out but I very much miss this part and realize they're all too quickly growing up. Thanks for the post Jason.
Jason,
Congrats on the potty training. We are needing that to be mastered by my son Zander and I do feel it is because of my more lax attitude because he is the youngest of my three. Mom needs a big kick in the pants and then we'll "get 'er done".
"Kids! Ice cream time! Chore time! Ice cream time! Chore time!"
Jason, you are a cruel cruel man!
Jason, LOL on The Potty comment. I too had a speach challenge, mine was with "r" that came out as a "w". So when I asked if we "could go for a wide in the cow", I always got some chuckles that I didn't understand.
Jason, Let me know how that "Kids! Ice Cream time! Chore time" torture works out...I thought that setting up a "financial incentive" (allowance, as we called it when we were kids) would help with the "decorative pillows" syndrome my son has caught, but I'm not sure any amount of money motivates a 13 year-old boy...Maybe we could trade, your Abby for my Nick?? Just kidding of course, then you'd have another pillow to add to your collection and I'd have my floors vacuumed. Doesn't seem all that fair...to you, that is! :)
Jason,
I have to admit, I didn't read all of your posts, however, my ex-husband didn't want our third...she turned out to be the most fantastic child we had...no understand, my other older two have turned out quite well...However, she is like your youngest...she is a product of the environment...saw what she didn't like in her older brother and sister...and picked up the slack...
Now don't get me wrong...the oldest two are so spoiled...when she came along...there was no time for spoiling...but she is fantastic...
Jason.. it's amazing on how kids grow up... and as they grow up, how cute they can be. Thanks for sharing.
From the mouths of babes! My sister used to make my oldest son Jakob always say, "Refligalator" or "Mackin" (refridgerator and napkin, respectively). When kids are learning to speak it is the funniest thing. I don't know how many times Jakob want to going swimming at the "Bitch" (beach). And as far as potty training, he never took to the seat to well, but when we were in Peru right before he turned three, we told him we ran out of diapers. Started using the toilet right away. Your results may vary!
Jason - I just love your posts! The cuteness of Abby almost had me crying! My kids are 32,30 & 28, so it's been a long time. My grandaughter is 11, but of course she used to say the cutest things. I NEVER corrected her. Bar-b-que sause was "bar ba sue cause". The day she said it correctly - I cried. It's the beginning of the end of innocence. Thank you for bringing up memories!
Abby is just too cute! Thanks for sharing her with us. Oh, and I think the "chore" aversion is universal with kids, but I sure like the mental pictures you provide. :)
That's awesome! I have a one-year old nephew and I can't wait for him to start talking! Good luck with the ice cream/chores scenario.
Christopher Zabka, Zolve.com
Aren't kids just so dang cute!!! I am jealous of the potty training thing. My youngest is 3, and he is perfectly capable of potty training but perfectly uninterested! ARGH! He doesn't seem to care that diapers are expensive.
When my youngest was born, one of my other kids said "Can I pet him?"
My nephew went to Disneyland in CA a few years back. He was about 5yrs old at the time. He noticed a lot of prople there were speaking Spanish. He didn't really say anything about it until we were at the hotel. One of the desk clerks asked where he was from. My nephew replied, "America."
Great kid. Never a dull moment with that one.
Jason: Abby sounds like an angel...and an adorable one at that. What a helper!