Greetings Little One

A little help!

This is one of your new, most commonly used phrases, little one. From the living room, we will hear you shout, “I can’t find Baby Cow. A little help!”

We are still trying to figure our where you picked up this specific phrase, but we think it’s hilarious.

I think she thinks she is in labor.

Mommy may be in labor.

I asked her how she was feeling.

"I'm not convinced that this is not nothing," she said.

That's a triple negative, little one, in case you’re counting. And I think she thinks it might mean something, I think.

Dino debt

This morning, as I was changing your diaper, you told me that a stegosaurus has spikes on its tail to protect itself from creditors, little one.

It may have been the funniest thing I ever heard you say.

A future novelist?

When you make your dolls and other little people speak, little one, you use dialogue attribution.

It’s quite strange.

“I want to play with Katie!” said Lily.

“Okay,” said. Katie. “Let’s play.”

I’m sad. I can’t find Baby Sheep,” said Lily.

“I’ll help you find Baby Sheep” said Katie.

All of those words come out of your mouth as you play. Perhaps the addition of dialogue attribution to play is more common than I realize, but to my ears, it sounds as if you’re reading from a book rather than playing with dolls.

Gratitude journal: So lucky

I watch this, little one, and can’t help but think that I am the luckiest man in the world.

Gratitude journal: This

I’m in Newburyport, MA at a literary festival this weekend, little one.

Tonight I am grateful for snippets of video like this, which make the time away from my little girl a teensy bit easier.

Hyperbole?

You claim that this is “the tallest tower ever!”

It’s a strange comment, little one, since I’ve seen you build taller towers in the past.

Perhaps you are one for hyperbole and I am just learning this now.

Metaphorically speaking?

Is it possible that your insistence on turning the page is a metaphorical rejection of the possibility that your future sibling could be a boy and represents your attempt to change the trajectory of the conversation and perhaps the universe, or do you just want to get on with the story?

I initially thought the latter, but in watching the video again, I’m beginning to wonder.

Fruit is good.

Today you looked at me and said, “Daddy, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

“Where did you learn that?” I asked, slightly dumbfounded.

“Mrs. Reno taught me,” she said. “She is a teacher at my school. Let’s eat apples.”

School is a good place, little one.

It’s a girl

At least that’s what you think, little one. But it could be a boy, even though you refuse to acknowledge it.  

That’s one serious case of denial you’ve got there, little one.