The title above refers to an old Dana Carvey routine when his son asks him, "Dad - does God have feet?" We use the phrase "must...get...help" pretty often around our house these days. In fact, we have said it with all three of our kids ever since my son was a baby.
Abby continues to be ridiculously cute, with her blond curls and funny vocabulary. She continues to mispronounce "f" as "s":
"Daa - here's you cossee". Translation: Dada - here's your coffee. Of course, this is usually accompanied by me frantically leaping from my chair in an effort to keep Abby from spilling hot coffee on herself or others, or my crotch.
"Daa - turn it oss. I don't wike dat sound!" Abby seems to have inherited bionic ears from somewhere, as she senses any distant sound ("whatsat noise?!") long before we do. "I'm not sure what that sound is - perhaps the TV downstairs? Maybe a satellite signal undetectable by normal human ears?"
One of my favorite new developments for her is the fact that she doesn't say, "NO!" as often. Instead, it has been replaced with the simple "I can't." Not openly defiant, right? She is unable to accommodate your request, that's all. This reminds me of a somewhat obscure Melville story called "Bartleby the Scrivener" wherein the protagonist states, "I would prefer not to" for the entire tale. Of course, that story ends very sadly, so forget I said anything.
For some reason, Abby sounds a little more like southern belle Scarlett O'Hara when she says certain phrases, so "I can't" is really "I cayunt", as if she is going to say, "I do believe that I am coming down with a case of the vapors." Neither my wife nor I have much trace of an accent (truly), so this is an interesting twist.
Any time we see a furry animal, such as a rabbit in the yard (there are several), or a stray dog, or a sloth at the zoo, Abby's response is very predictable:
"Can I pet her? I want to pet her. Can I pet her?"
Unfortunately, "petting" our cats often means picking up our smallest cat/kitten by the neck. The cat is learning to defend itself a little bit, but Abby is undeterred by our punishments, or by being bitten or scratched. I think she must honestly think that the cat is stuffed sometimes.
We went swimming the other night, and I realized that Abby thought the pool was called "the swim":
"Daa - I see the swim. I see it! It's the swim."
We always talk about going swimming, but pool was not something we had taught until then.
I promise to share some new pictures of the kids again soon. It has been months. For those of you who are attending my party/gathering this weekend, you'll have a chance to meet them all.
Thanks for reading!
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Jason~ Your little Abby sounds so cute.. Hey! Enjoy those kids while they are young- they grow up too fast, I promise!
Abby sounds great Jason. I really think she has a future in food service, LOL. Have fun at the Swim.
Jason, mine says I DO like it...when that means I don't like it. My latest favorite is when he had a tummy ache last week and said "boo boo in my belly button". Too cute ..enjoy these days
Vickie - She is crazy-cute in person. I can hear her in the next room, and my heart melts sometimes.
Jason...
Watch out ... they grow up fast and then the move to Philadelphia!
I am looking forward to meeting her. What I miss most is the laughter. My little girls had the cutest giggles! I was fortunate enough to hear that giggle recently when there were two little boys in the office. It melts me every time.
Jason ~ Very cute! Every time I see small children, it brings me back to my own kids at that age. Your post reminds me of my own daughter at about 2 1/2; I was cleaning up the house and she asked me, "Mommy, are you suspecting guests?" (of course she meant "expecting") and I said, "Not until they get here!". Love this age.
Jason, Knowing you this is as funny as it is cute ad I am a fool for the same things from my own kids. I wll say that these are the innocent and touching years that you will recall when they become teenagers and you want to just...well, you get the idea!
Jason, looking forward to meeting all 3 of the Crouch kids on Saturday!! See you then!!! :)
My daughter used to ask "What are the sonars? Where did they go , did they eat deyougarat? Transaltion: Where are the dinosaurs. Did they eat yogart?
Jason,
Enjoy the magical moments they go by way too fast. Thank you sir for sharing wiht us.
Nice one J....I have 5 of my own...wish I could be at your party...it'd be a lot of fun...having the broods hanging out together.
Jason,
Before i had my son I would get so blah about people who spoke of their "kids." Now I love it. I'm glad you have so many happy moments.
Unbelievably CUTE post, bro................
Yer little lady is a treasure!!!
God bless ya, Jason!!
=-D
Jason, she is such a doll. I just can't wait to meet the children! I feel as if I know them already anyway. Are you ready for the party??? See ya Saturday my friend.
Later in the rain~Deb
Sooooo Sweet! It's great you're writting it all down so you will remember it all!
Jason - for some reason your title "Must - Get - Help" reminded me of the Ian Malcom character in Jurassic Park (Must - Go - Faster) who also said
I love kids! Anything at all *can* and *does* happen... Same with wives, for that matter...
Bartleby the Scrivener - on of those required readings in highs school that I didn't understand then, put of my mind until today. I blame you for any loss of sleep caused by reliving that suppressed memory;^)
I love the things that come out of little kids mouths, even when my kids were that young and they drove me crazy at the same time.
Jason, Thanks for the trip down memory lane. My girls are now 29 and 30 and I still have vivid memories of them as toddlers. Watch out, they grow up really fast. Take lots of pictures and videos.
Jason, do give us some photos...wish I could be there for the party....would so love to meet the family and your beautiful children. Have a fun time and enjoy....they grow up so quickly!
Jason- love your sharing even if I am not in your area - makes me jealous.
Very cool sayings Jason...my parents always tell me about how my brother used to say words beginning in tr like tree as an f...so it would be fee....well one day they were at the store and he really wanted a truck and screamed as loud as he could how he wanted a truck! LOL ya shoulda seen the faces of those walking by!
Jason...My boys are adults now, i miss those days..Enjoy while you can. Now the Grandchild comes over, we spoil her and hten send her home. LIFE IS GREAT!
Jason, a child's honesty is the cutest thing that parents have to treasure.
Little kids are so dang cute! I love it how you can easily get them to pull tricks on their parents. Just this past weekend, I managed to bribe my nephew into practice writing his letters on his dads forehead while he napped. Sweet little things.
P.S. I hope you have a great party this weekend! I'll be in Austin in a few weeks to visit my friend who is moving down. I'll be in touch with more details so we can get together!
Jason,
It is amazing the things that they say sometimes. Our son constantly amazes me at how much he remembers at such a young age. Most things it only takes once and he remembers what it is. He must have got this from his mother?
Jason - Those are such cute times... I remember one particular day when my daughter was about 3 years old, she said, "Grampa, you're a 'tomato t.v.'! She was trying to call him a "couch potato"... :)
Daddy's little girl stories always bring back many memories for me. Enjoy every minute as they are priceless.
Jason, love the new picture and love the stories about the kids. So cute. Max used to get make and say "you're not opposed to do that!!", when he meant supposed.
Hi Jason, You painted a beautiful picture of the drama of being child like! I, for one, never want to outgrow the wonder and amazement of growing in love and grace just like your adorable daughter!
It's so important to enjoy all the stages your kids go through - and remember what it's like to first discover the amazing things all around us - good for you for taking the time to enjoy them!