A Daddy's Girl

When we got A, she didn't have many verbal skills. She didn't say many words and really didn't make many sounds either. Just a lot of crying and behaviours that indicated that she was incredibly frustrated, or just plain mad. Most children by the time they are the same age as A, have conquered the basic sounds and some simple words. We are coming up to almost having A for 5 months, and really if I look back on where she was, she has made some incredible gains. She has definitely turned her attention and effort to communicating verbally now.

You would quite enjoy being a fly on the wall at our home around 5:30-6pm when Albert comes home from work. As it gets dark and as supper preparations begin, A starts looking towards the window and says "Dada?" Yes that's right, Dada. So despite the fact that most kids start saying dada around a year of age...we didn't miss that stage. At two years old, our daughter now knows who her Dad is. And let me tell you, you would think the king was coming through the door the way she reacts when Albert comes home! She keeps glancing at the window saying "Dada" until she hears his truck, then she runs to the window jumping up and down with excitement and yelling DAAAD DADA at the top of her lungs, just waiting to catch his eye when he walks past the front window! After yelling DADA a few more times when he waves at her through the window, she bolts to the front door where she promptly greats him with more DADAs and the word UP! Before he can take off his coat and shoes, she wants to be picked up by him and carried by him. It's incredibly cute....(although I may be slightly jealous....I get Mum mum often...but mostly its when she needs or wants something....however, I don't often leave her either...to be able to get such an exuberant welcome...hehehehe). But it's just so adorable to watch. I think she loves him so much and is always super happy to see him. (why wouldn't she be....hehehe I'm always super happy when he comes home too!) But definitely a daddy's girl for sure!
He gets a smiley hi from Micah too, though Micah is usually playing on the computer when Albert comes home, since making dinner with two toddlers is a chore, especially when it is notoriously meltdown hour and A needs to be in my arms while I'm making dinner! She throws very big fits if I don't pick her up while I cook. Sometimes this frustrates me, other times I try really hard to prepare ahead of time, or be ok with cooking one handed. I figure she can't do it forever...and if she needs that reassurance now (or she really loves to cook?) then I can deal with that most days....

But yes, almost 5 months and she went from barely speaking to now she daily picks up new words, definitely attempts new words all the time. She will try to repeat anything we say. She is also picking up on the babbling....just random sounds that are loud! But I'm so happy that she is finally making sounds. It's just so great to know that words are coming and communication continues to get easier with her and her frustration lately seems to be decreasing which is wonderful. Her frustrated behaviours; therefore, are also decreasing which is great! I hope that the reason for that is that we communicate better. There are still times where she will fly off the handle and we have missed the reason why...but for the most part, we are understanding her more and more.
I have also seen a change in Micah, some of his acting out behaviours are dissipating and he is much more obedient now and doesn't have that sudden change where he becomes completely defiant and out of control. So thankful for that as well.
And me. I am changing too. The way I deal with the kids. The way I try to figure out why. How you start to be more ok with comforting the child even when you told them a hundred times not to do something and they did it anyways...I think I'm more relaxed, less anxious and more go with the flow. And most of all I'd like to think that I'm a little more in control of my emotions...more steady and less prone to being set off by the kids. I think I'm feeling a little more settled. I remember with Micah, that it definitely took me at least 3 months to get used to having him around and figuring out life with an infant. I had to keep reminding myself that if it took me 3 months to get used to Micah it would probably take at least double to get used to life with two toddlers...and well we're almost at five and I'm just starting to feel at ease...although who knows what will happen next. We seem to have a handle on A's asthma now....hopefully that will continue. It also helps I'm sure, that right now we are all over the nasty colds we had last month.

I praise God that even though communication has been difficult, it is really awesome to watch A's language develop! Seeing her conquer new words every day and celebrating those words with her, is just great! Her little smirks and smiles when she is proud of herself for accomplishing a word is so sweet. It will be exciting to see where she is in a month and then a month after that! She is quite an amazing little girl. :)
I'll leave you with Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
We didn't really understand why we had this very angry and difficult toddler, but in God's timing He is bringing about changes in all of us. We are being knitted together as a family rooted in God's love for each other as we let Him direct our paths.