Me Me Me

Last evening I finally figured out a new word that I have been hearing all my life:  "me."  Whenever my mommy and daddy show me photographs on their iPhone, I have been able to tell them I'm seeing "ma-ma" or "da-da," but I've never known how to name that super-cute little boy that's in almost every picture.  I've never said the word "Rocket" that they named me, because I haven't seen the point.  I know who I am.

But last night, daddy took our story time before bed and showed me photos.  And he kept saying, "that's you" and "that's me" as we flipped through them.  So, when I saw a picture of daddy, I said "me!" because that's what he had been saying.  Ans when I saw a picture of the little boy, I said "you."  Daddy said, "no, not quite."

"You would say 'that's me' (pointing to me) and you would say 'that's you,' (pointing to himself).  And I would say 'me' (pointing to himself) and 'you' (pointing to me)."  I was totally confused.  Finally, I just tried the opposite of what I'd been doing, and the next time he showed me a photo of me, I said "me!"  "Yesss!!!" daddy said excitedly as he gave me a big hug and an rub on the head.  He kept showing me photos of me, and over and over he hugged me and patted my head whenever I said "me."  I still didn't get it, but at least I know that I like hugs!

So then he showed me a picture of mommy, so again I said "me!"  "No," daddy said, "that's mommy."  This is harder than I thought.  Ten or 15 minutes later, at least I knew the difference between "ma-ma," "da-da," and "me."  I can work with this for now.

Mommy came in to put me to bed a few minutes later, and she got excited, too, each time I said "me."  So, I think I'm onto something.  I'll keep trying this new word and see what's next.

Two Words

I'm starting to put two words together once in a while:  "Bye bye, dada" or "No, mama."  I like being able to say more things more quickly, too.  I know all the words in my sign language book.  Even though I know the sign for sorry (a closed fist making circles on my chest), I prefer to open the book and point to the drawing of a toddler making the sign; I can communicate that way just as easily as making the sign myself.

Talking is fun, and mommy and daddy talk to me a lot every day.  I can understand most everything they say, even if I don't like it or don't want to do what they're asking me.  I know, for example, that they ask me not to climb up on the dining table, but I do anyway sometimes, because it's fun!

I wonder what comes after two words.  I'm not sure yet, but I'm looking forward to it, whatever it is.

It's Just Electricity

Dad worked on his computer in my room this evening, and when he was done, he pulled the cord out of the wall socket and went downstairs.  But he forgot to put the plastic safety plug back in.

No problem.  After my bath, I found the plug and decided I would help by putting it back in for him.  No big deal, right?  Well, when dad noticed what I was doing (he told me that I had "gone quiet" for a few seconds), he nearly had a fit.  I've never seen him move across a room so fast (and this was after I crashed off the bed this afternoon)!  "No!" he yelled at me.

I just looked at him.  I knew I wasn't supposed to play with the outlet or the safety plug, but I figured that dad might let me this time.  Or, maybe if I stopped moving he wouldn't be able to see me any more.  That didn't work.  He took the plug out of my hand and plugged it in.  That's all I was trying to do!  Why couldn't he let me do that???  This world can be a confusing place.

Ouch!

Today I was jumping up and down on the bed in our guest room when dad walked in.  I started running and bouncing down the bed to give him a hug, when I missed a step and tumbled off the bed headfirst onto the floor.  Clonk!  I lay there dazed for a few seconds, my eyes slighly crossed as I came back to my senses.  Dad picked me up immediately, and then I started crying.  It hurt!  Mommy rushed in and held me, and within about two minutes I was done crying and ready to start playing again.  I have a little red bump on my forehead, up by my hair, but other than that I feel perfectly fine.

I think I scared my dad.  My neck bent way back when I hit the floor, which was fine with me, but I suppose dad's not used to seeing that.  He said it's hard to be a father sometimes when you see these things.  Mommy says that having me is like having her heart run around outside her body.

I'm fine, and I can't wait to jump on the bed again tomorrow!

Skinny; Poison Ivy

My dad says I'm getting tall and skinny, which I kind of like.  I can now see onto the top of the dining room table when I'm standing on the floor, which makes eating a lot less of a crap shoot; I mean, I can see what I'm reaching for now.  This is good!

There are, however, some "downsides" to this newfound height of mine:  this evening I stumbled just a bit and hit my upper lip and gum onto the corner of the dresser in my room.  This wouldn't have happened if I were shorter or if I weren't walking yet.  I have a lot to learn in order to be safe in this world.

My mom and dad keep talking about something called "poison ivy" outside, but I don't know what it is or why they care about it.  All the plants and vines look very interesting to me, and I like to pull on them just like I see my parents do.  Whenever I help, though, they make me stop take a step back.  Just to be sure, I try to help them again.  And they make me stop and step back again.  After about six times trying to help them, I just want to cry.  So I do.  Then they usually give me a truck to play with, or maybe tell me to go sit in the sandbox.  I like that, too, so I go play there.  Something weird is going on with all these vines, though.  I want to understand.

This week I...

This week I:

• hung out with and played with my yeh-yeh (granddaddy Leroy from Santa Barbara); he flew home today, which made me sad
• learned how to shake hands with my dad
• picked a scab off my knee for the first time - OW!
• figured out how to turn on and turn off the air conditioner in my room
• got my own set of power tools to work with
• learned how to say and use the words 'wall' and 'walk'; did you know they sound similar but they mean totally different things?

In the past month I have learned to climb up into my high chair all by myself and buckle myself in.  I still can't figure out how to unbuckle myself, though; Mom thinks that's OK.