'Nah'

Joshua has learnt a new word! Now this may not sound too ground breaking to you, but considering the total lack of words and the few he did have vanishing in to thin air...well I was bursting with pride (and relief) this week when he began to say this word. It's a word full of promise, it's strong and assertive and it allows him to express himself and his independance. It's also already beginning to be the bain of my life! That word it 'No'!

I was so relieved when I asked him a random question last week and he replied with a 'Nah' and a shake of his head! It literally stopped me in my tracks and then had my jumping up and down, clapping my hands with glee like a cartoon character on heat, at Christmas time! However very quickly I realised that he can't tell the difference all the time between when an answer should actually be 'No' and when it should be 'Yes'. For example he slipped off the bottom step of our stairs (one step not more, I'm not neglectful people!!) and I asked him if he was ok and he replied 'Nah' while he happily toddled back of to Happyland. But for the most part he does actually get it right! And I am so excited that my little boy can actually interact with me at last!

Joshua is two in a matter of weeks and is under a specch therapist after loosing the few words he did have some months ago and not learning any more. Lots of people told me the same thing, that he would just wake up and start jabbering away-which he didn't. I spent months and months of disappointment (and fear quite frankly) that something was wrong when this mystical morning of speech-never appeared. So although 'No' might not seem much, to me and Joshua it's our first interaction-first proper verbal interaction should I say!

I now find myself asking him questions all the time just so he can cutely shake his head and say 'Nah'! "Do you want any more tea, Joshua?" or "Do you need a new nappy, Joshua"? However I am beginning to see the affect this power has upon him as he acknowledges that this one word has the potential to completely throw me and get him what he wants! At tea time when he's had enough he knows he gets fruit and pudding so when I ask if he wants more dinner, the answer is always 'No'. When I ask him to sit down to put his shoes on before he goes in the garden-that same two worded letter is the answer!

I know he's expressing his independance through it and at the moment I couldn't mind one bit! I'm just so pleased and actually found myself lying awake last night wondering when we are going to get a full 'Mummy' and 'Daddy'! So for the meantime I am loving 'No' but I am sure after another week or so this won't be the case...He's also learnt to pick his nose in the last week too. Not quite so excited about that one!

What words does your little one have that drive you mad?

Love Chloe xx