Got better things to do than learn to talk!!

Champ is 19 Months old and a very active toddler. He loves to run, dance, play and go up and down the stairs. He loves his high chair and the Sprouts Channel combination. Everytime I want him to take a breather from all the running I put him on his peg perego high chair and he heaves a sigh of relief and settles to watch Cailou or Mickey Mouse or Jake the pirate. it does not matter what he watches if it has bits of music or atleast loads of voice modulations.

He is a good boy when it comes to eating his meals. Even after he is done with his meals if he sees me munching he will run up to me and open his mouth indicating he wants to have whatever I am eating. So he is experimenting enough with food and he is not afraid of any kind of spices. My observation has been that he loves Indian spices, since he can't get enough of potato cutlets and Samosas.

He is such a blabber. And has recently started scolding me whenever I want him to learn some words or coax him to repeat after me.(he actually immitates me by sushing me with his finger on lips). Such a blabber but does not like to repeat what I have to say. Some words that he learnt early and are his favorite are "Hiiiii" whenever he sees a new face or when I come out of the bathroom. "Buhbyeeeee" whenever he wants to go out or gets a stern look from me. "Tungooo" when we hand him something or he hands us anything. The rest of the words are so random I am not sure if he gets them. His favourite numbers are "six, seven" and he will keep counting every with "sic, saen". He understands bengali words like ashchi (coming), na (no), Jao (go), ki (what), naao (take). Milk is refered as dudu and the only word he says as soon as he sees a bottle. He understands English words like diaper, potty, bottle. He can also say them but has stubbornly decided not to. He repeats them when I am not in the room. Champ loves the sound of "O toddles" from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and loves to say it. But, dare he say it when I want him to.
Yes, this boy is going to be very very stubborn, I just hope it takes the right direction with age or else all of us are in trouble.
Though, his lack of interest in repeating what we want him to learn and ignoring us as soon as he thinks we want him to learn something, is causing concern with the doc. She would like us to see a speech therapist. We are not so sure.
He is just more interested in physical activities. Loves to do dance, with me. tries to copy my steps and when he can't he runs to the corner, watches for a while then runs back again to give it a second try. This guys puts more effort at helping me clean the house, open n shut cabinet doors, climb the steps up and down. Where is the time to learn a language!! blabbers are working just fine with Mum, right Champ?
Patience needed !! Sigh!

Champ is 19 months old - already!!

Champ and I have been alone for the last 1 week. I mean he has not seen any other person, but me for the last one week. the only other faces are the video chats with my ma and mashi and of course the tv. But he has picked up a lot  in the last few days. Probably because I have given him a lot of time and I mean real quality time. I have been looking after him 24x7 since last week. usually, his father takes charge in the evening and does the last evening duties and spending some time with his son. But this past week we have bonded like never before and I love him and he loves and trusts me even more, if that is possible. This time had been very tiring but beautiful for me.

Two weeks ago the doctor's and our concern was that his speech is not as developed for a 18 month old and we could seek some speech therapy to see if there is anything to worry about. While he likes to copy my actions like opening cabinets to folding my arms and frowning at him, to holding a ladle while stirring a pot and jumping to strike a bhangra pose (yes he has been doing that too). He has developed a love for stairs but has the smart sense to never do it if he does not see me around. He only ventures to the stairs when he knows that I am looking at him. Even when he is running at lightening speed he stops in front of the vacuum cleaner wires crosses it safely and then starts running like a mad once again. Its the same with laptop wires. So I know he is thinking smart and is very careful.
But as soon as it comes to repeating words he seemed disinterested. This baby who loves music so much that he actually hums the musical compositions when I practice but he will not pick on the lyrics… so he knows the tune of lullabies and ABC songs and few more that I keep repeating for him he taps his feet with the rhythm and hums lightly but no words. I have been trying to teach him eyes-ears-nose what seems like eternity to no vail (dnt mind the use of an archaic word). So I knew as soon as his baba is back from his official trip we will checkout the therapy places.

While I took over his daddy's good night duties in his absence, decided to read a book with him very night. I picked Dr. Suess " Ten Apples Up on Top" not so much for Champ but more for me. I love to read Dr. Suess aloud and this one was easy and repetitive for Champ too. He actually loved it and while I read it to him I realized he kept saying six, seven again and again. So I knew that he was learning and picking up things but on his "terms". SO I just kept saying and talking to myself instead of talking to him and sang and read and talked by myself this past few days. Then suddenly yesterday as I was singing "yashodha ka nandlala" for him, I heard zu zu zu hums that was not me and just like that he actually hummed a song with its lyrics :-) I was surprised, but more like ecstatic and since have been trying all sorts of words and he has been responding beautifully. This morning during our mornin-mornin games in bed he said eyes, nose, ears with playful actions. He was so cute to watch I almost crushed him with my hugs and kisses. There has been loads of developments since. I am loving it and so is my boy.

I leave you with one of his creations on my phone.

What do you think of his talent as a photographer?

Love