Doubling down on the syllables

Since this blog attempts to capture events as we live them (or six months later), here are a few from the last week or so.

It is worth noting that Chris was back in Austin this last 11 days and nights.  Not that I was counting.  I loved the time alone with the nuggets but, boy, did we miss Mommy!  Along with a handful of fun memories (and a few less fun ones), it reminded me to be thankful for all of the support Chris and I have in each other and through friends and family.  I don't have any idea how single parents, a group which included both of my parents at some point, do it.

As for this week, Charlotte is definitely accelerating on the words, mimicking a lot more, and ramping up the double syllables.  Em is following along, though a bit more tentative.  Still, I believe she gets credit for the first "orange".  Not sure what we'll do when clementine season is over. 

Here's a lesson.  Sometimes on the way home they get pretty fussy and Em likes for me to talk to them.  'Talking" consists of me rattling off a ton of questions.  Their favorite response (to anything) is "yeah," though they seem to understand that a multiple choice question requires a more nuanced answer.

Are you tired? Yeah.
Are you happy? Yeah.
Are there monkeys on my head? Yeah. (Bonus: sometimes this question will elicit monkey noises too)

Running low on material, I asked Em if her favorite color was green or red.  Following a lengthy pause, Char pipes up, "purple."  AWESOME.  Teaches me not to limit their dreams.

Other new words from this week include: nounou (noodle), pepper, olive (sort of), hammer, and fisticuffs.

Got you on that last one.

In other news, it a fit of Martha-like domestic bliss (and to counterbalance the door planing and outlet fixing I'd been doing), I made a "draft snake."   It plugs the crack under the door to their room, which sits a good 2 inches off the floor courtesy of settling and the charms of an older house.  I was tired of tripping over the towel we shove in the crack to block the hall light and noise. Anyway, the girls love it and hiss every time they see it now.   ADORABLE.

Don't worry mom, it is not a real snake.  Clearly it needs eyes now, though, and a name.  I can't wait to come up with a name.  Sure, I'll ask them what to call it, but let's be honest, it is hard to tell what they are saying half the time anyway.