Fareful, Mommy

 At 19 months old, Lainie has more personality than just about anyone I've ever known. She is a diva about her clothes, mostly shoes, she has a demanding sense of entertainment requiring her Mommy to sing various songs to her, she dances like a rapper though she's never seen a hip hop video (to my knowledge), she's a back seat driver, and she knows that by giving me her signature shrug and cheesy smile whilst saying, "Cookie, Mommy?" that I'll give in like the sucker that I am.

 It happened just like her pediatrician said it would. She turned 18 months old and immediately began talking. She was already saying "mommy", "daddy", "bye-bye", you know, the general ones. But suddenly she has a huge vocabulary and is showing signs of following in her Mommy's collegiate (specifically, lawyerly) footsteps. She's quite the negotiator, something her Mommy is known for in the labor law field.

 She's totally and completely in love with the characters on Mickey Mouse Club House. She seems most excited to see Ninnie (Minnie Mouse), Foofy (Goofy), and Dondon (Donald). She still won't say Pluto but, as one of her amazing and funny quirks, she never says words she can't say well. I mean, most of her words and plainly understandable, even if they aren't perfect. The only word, to date, that baffles me is the way she says Tank- She. No clue, though Tank has been accused of a girl because, at 85-pounds, the dog is a complete wuss.

 One day in the car I took a left turn too fast, trying to make the light. From the back seat I get, "Oh, fareful, Mommy! Fareful!" Yes, at 19 months apparently she is completely skilled as a back seat driver. Looking very forward to the teenage years already. *rolling eyes* One night at dinner she was getting quite antsy and I wanted to teach her that we eat at the table together and that we wait for the other to finish. Which makes my next statement funny because I clearly through all manners out the window here, but I was trying to make her laugh. So, I burped out loud which always makes her laugh. Or, at least it used to. Her eyes got big and she said, "Eh-zooooz Ooo, Mommy." I didn't know whether to allow myself to fall out of my chair as I so badly wanted to or if I should just take the manners cue from the baby. Hilarious. I have noticed that she has a tendency to never excuse herself. But rather, if you're in her way it's, "Eh-zooooz Ooo, Mommy". Which she will repeat over and over again. If you don't get out of her way she will keep saying it until finally her tone gets angrier and angrier. Amazing.

 I have finally taught her to say, "Sorry", which actually comes out as, "Saucy, Mommy". Her pacifier, which we call a "passy" due to those English people that babysit her, is a "Sassy".  She calls puppies "Pup-pups" and she calls going potty "pop pop". Which is sort of funny. She also reaches behind her and grabs her diaper while saying "poo poo" when she needs a diaper change. =) hehe

 Here are some other faves:
Em-lem-lem- Emily
Bebuh- Bella
Sisty- Christie (Grandma)
Uncoe- Uncle Tommy
Anteeny- Uncle Anthony
Wy-Wy- Ryan
Mow (Like mouse, not like mowing the lawn)- Mickey Mouse
Deezy- Daisy (as in, Duck)
Ah-choo (emphasis on the Ah)- fake sneezing
Bess-oo- bless you
Peez- please
Dee-doo- thank you (my little brother said thank you this way)
Dink-oo- thank you (just depends on the day)
Moe-eee- more
Cheese-us- Jesus

Love her so much. She is just too much fun. What did I ever do with my life before her?