Little Chatterbox afterall

Sophie used to call Jon "Nana" or "Nanny" and it kind of seemed like she just wanted to get a reaction out of us, but Jon wondered if there wasn't something more going on.  Could she say her "d's"?  Was she just not hearing them right? I didn't think much of it at first.  I figured she'd pull something similar to Lydia and start whipping out full on sentences when she was ready.  But then it seemed like she was using incorrect letters more and more often when she would try to talk and I started worrying.  I was trying not to compare her to Lydia, but we don't have a lot of experience with anyone else learning how to talk so I found myself doing it against my better wishes. I also didn't want speaking to become frustrating for her, but I worried that it would get frustrating for me trying to understand her before it bothered her.  I was reading to her one day while Lydia was at school and before Jon had left for work and she would point to pictures in the book and he or I would say what they were.  She pointed to a boy and I asked her to repeat boy and she wasn't able to do it.  She'd attempt to repeat what we'd say on each picture (something new for her.  She used to simply refuse to give it a go) and get a beginning or ending sound right and sometimes the middle sound, but usually not the whole word and definitely not anything really coherent.  Anyway, we were worried enough at this point to have her tested.  Fortunately Jon had had his wits about him at her two year check up and so we knew what we needed to do.  Her doctor told us to take her to our elementary school where they should be able to test her.  He told us that he'd write a note if they needed one, recommending her, but that it probably wouldn't be necessary.  Well, when I went to the school they told me that I needed to schedule through the district.  When I called them it took a few days to connect with the right person, and at that point they told me that they were about a month out.  This was the beginning of April and so May 12th became this huge day for us and felt so far away!

It amazes me now to think of the progress she made in the weeks following our scheduling this appointment.  She would get frustrated when I couldn't understand her after she'd repeat herself two or three times.  At least I think she must have been frustrated; however, she'd just laugh at me and give up despite my best efforts to encourage her to continue helping me understand.

And then suddenly she was speaking in full on sentences. I think that Jon and I were aware of what was happening, but when both sides of our family noted how chatty Sophie was when we spent Sunday dinner with them it was very reassuring.

I was sent a bunch of paper work in the mail from the district and the more I filled it out, the more embarrassed I became.  My answers to their questions were very different from what they had been when I'd cried on the phone the this poor district employee.  I called her the Thursday before Soph's appointment confirming that we'd be there, but had mentioned that I'd wanted to talk to her personally.  I planned to call again on Friday but didn't remember in time.  Fortunately she called me Monday, the day before the appointment, and I told her that I felt horrible canceling, but that we didn't think Sophie needed to be tested anymore.  She was so nice about it, telling me that they celebrate cancelations.  She also said that had we come in they would have been really nice, and probably would have teased us a little bit too, asking "so... why are you here?"  And then reassured me that if something came up we knew where to reach them.

Ever since then Sophie has just increased her vocabulary like crazy!  I love the way she enunciates.  I love seeing her progress.  I was really excited when Lydia learned to talk, but because we were so worried about Sophie I feel like every new word is more exciting than it otherwise would have been.  Watching her try new words especially after she wouldn't even attempt them has been so fun for us.

Some of my favorite Sophie phrases lately include:

I not a baby. I a princess. I Sleeping Beauty.
My. Heart. Is. Broken.  My kitty bloke my heart.
Not today. (In a sing songy voice).
Daddy! Oh no! Your flower! (The girls have given their dad this lovely toy flower and apparently find it bothersome that it doesn't go everywhere he goes.  When it's left at home and Sophie sees it that is what she says.  And then she sets it on his pillow for him to find when he gets home from work.)
I made it myself! (Referring to her pink bracelet, which broke...  And now her watch.  She often credits Jon with having helped her.  I'm really not sure where this started, but it's cute and imaginative for now.)
I have no time for this!
It's all my fault.
Daddy forgot his hat! (She notes this each time he mows the lawn. Unless he remembers his hat, like today! In which case she says Daddy wearing his hat!)
I a girl. You a girl. Lydia a girl. Mia a girl.  Daddy not a girl.  Daddy a boy.
Mr. Milo Man threw his soup on the floor! (Followed by laughter).
Zacorra has scary eyes. I don't like Zacorra.  She say "beware. Beware." I don't like her.  (She's a My Little Ponies character and has apparently made quite an impression on little Soph).

When Grandpa Blackhurst comes to read stories to the girls he always says the title and author before beginning to read the book.  It's stuck with Sophie so much so that I hear her starting her books with a title and author. Doesn't matter if she isn't right.  She says whatever she says with confidence! A few days ago she repeated, "Hannah Potty Book. By Mark Brown. (Bwown)" over and over again while "reading" the book the best she could in between announcing the title and author.  We sure love Arthur books at our house!

Anyway, apparently we worried much more than we needed to.  And that's okay.  Every day has been so delightful listening to her world of words increase.  The conversations she and Lydia have are adorable. I love our little chatterbox.