Party in the Back and Toddlerese

2011 has been a year of momentous occasions. Olivia received her first haircut and we finally figured out what fwah fwah means.
I have been fighting my mom on getting Olivia's first haircut because she's been a baldy for so long I am awaiting the moment when people start to realise that I don't dress my boy in pink, but she is, in fact, a girl. Also, I finally managed to get her hair in pigtails a few times and she is a showstopper in pigtails. So cute. This is the kind of things that all moms of little girls live for, I imagine. The thing about Olivia's hair, what little there is, even still, of it, is that it's a mullet at this point. Not exactly cluing the clueless in to the fact that she's a girl with any exactitude.
I had a moment of inspiration this past Thursday to see if Olivia could join her cousin when he got his haircut. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. John was not too happy I did this thing without letting him know, but when I get a burr up my butt to do something...I am not exactly the patient kind...as we have learned. As luck would have it, my sister was planning on a trip to the kiddy salon that day. Her son has been getting his haircut since 9 months old. Olivia is almost 2. So, game on, party in the back soon to be gone. 2011 is a time for change.
The haircut went pretty well. At this point, Olivia is old enough to be distracted by her cousin and the television while her hair was being cut. (Let's all hope this isn't a Sampson moment where she loses all of her strength!).
Who woulda thunk that she would be so cute with a cut. I hate to tell my mom she was right, but she was right. I am not totally excited about the fact that she looks a little more "boy" now, but at least it can start growing out one length as opposed to what it was doing. She's still my beautiful baby...GIRL.
Let's take a right turn to tangentville and start with the toddlerese. Olivia is starting to become more vocal. I am extremely excited about the fact that we can now get inside that little brain of hers and communicate. But, as with most toddlers I have known, not all of the words are clear as to the "English" translation. Most of my mom friends have said that you always understand what YOUR child is saying. Because, God knows, I have not been able to understand their children all of the time. (Which has lead me to panic that there will be a period of time with my child that I will just look at her with confusion as she happily explains the meaning of life to me).
I have been reading that, at Olivia's age, she should be saying upwards of 200 words. I don't know many moms who actually count their child's growing vocabulary, but I have definitely not been. I am more excited to encourage further speaking than pause to keep a list.
Of late, Olivia has been saying the word "fwah fwah" repeatedly while standing by the door. John and I look at eachother with confusion and determination to find out what the heck she wants. What IS a fwah fwah. To narrow it down, we started to grab things around the area and ask "do you want a ___?" and Olivia would repeat the word.
US: Do you want a pretzel? O: pret-zo
Do you want a spoon? Poon.
Do you want a fork? Fok
Do you want a breakfast bar? Bah.
Well, that didn't lead us anywhere. I asked my nearest tot-mom, my sister and she couldn't decipher fwah fwah either. BUT, lo and behold, this morning she again asked for a fwah fwah and we gave her a Japanese cracker. That is a fwah fwah, for future reference. Sometimes, logic does not come into play with what toddlers translate from English to toddlerese. Just go with it. You will eventually figure it out.
Other fun words Olivia has been saying:
momas = Thomas (the tank engine))
mamo = Elmo
yaya = Olivia
yayo = Connor
sissy = Auntie Chrissy
Jos = Uncle Jeff
bapa = grandma/grandpa
mama = grandma
boppy = blanket
Mawmy = mommy
dada/daddy
backy = broccoli
zoosh = juice
ahh zoosh = orange juice
muck = milk
nowing = It's snowing
bup = up
viymi = vitamins
boo = blow
yayow = yellow
rah = red
ahj = orange
la yoo = love you (awwwwwww)
puhpoh = purple
(?) = silver
There is more, but those are the not-quite-200 list of words she's saying at this point.
All parents convince themselves that they are not going to be those parents who let their kids watch TV. Well, I caved as well. The shows can be educational and she gets to listen to words associated with their actions that you may or may not always be doing/saying. It's easier said than done (pun intended) to constantly narrate the world around you as you think you should. Even reading books does not captivate their attention for as long as say, Elmo, can. For parents who successfully get around with no TV, hats off to you. I am out of that race, and I don't feel so badly about it.
My only audience, my sister, is about to give birth any day now to number two. I am very excited to have a new addition to the little ones in our immediate family. Especially when I am not the one staying up nights. I still am not sure I can do that first year all over again. I don't know how you do it. But, of course, we all go into that big question mark in the sky called parenthood and come out okay...for the most part. I will never say never, but I am happy with my Olivia. I know that my sister is going to have a beautiful baby girl and be a wonderful parent of two. And, I am willing to help out. I will use any excuse to cook....La yoo!