What She Says

Ava is quite the talker these days.  There are a lot of words we understand...and a lot that we don't.  She's sweet, funny, and caring all mixed together with a dash of almost-two-year's-old-craziness.  I'm afraid if I don't start writing down what she says, I may someday forget!

• She is very much into books right now - but NOT us reading to her.  There's a little independent streak in her nature that makes her want to do it herself.  She babbles as she "reads" and it's the cutest thing ever.  When she does let us sit near her when she's got a book, her little fingers point to pictures and she says, "Wha dat?"  Over and over and over.  Sometimes she knows what she's pointing to, but she gets stuck on that phrase. 

"Wha dat?"

• We once had a conversation that went like this:

"Ava, it's time for bed."
"No!"
"Yes, it's time to go upstairs."
"No!"
"Come on Ava, bed time."
"NO...dammit."

I have no idea where she heard that word.  But kudos to her for using it in the correct context!

• The sweetest thing ever is hearing her little voice say, "I wuv ooo."
• She's got a puzzle of shapes - rectangle, circle, square, etc.  She knows where all of the pieces go, but will put a piece on the wrong shape and then say, "Noooooo" in a long, drawn-out way.  Only after that does she put the piece in its correct spot.
• She knows all the kids at daycare and we often talk about who she played with during the day.  Today she told me that she played with "Tay."  She means Kate.  
• If Ava asks you for an "ale," she wants a wipe.  If she asks you for "no," she means milk.  

• I think we're moving past this phase, but for the longest time, Ava asked for "Cheer-o's" at least ten times a day.  First thing in the morning?  "I want Cheer-o's."  Getting home from daycare?  Cheer-o's.  Driving in the car?  Cheer-o's.  
• She only likes it when I sing to her at bedtime.  If I sing any other time, she looks at me and says, "No, Mama."  I guess I won't try out for American Idol.  I can't even impress a 23 month old.
• What we do sing at bedtime is the ABC's.  Ava sort of knows it.  "A-B-E-F-P."  She's only missing a few letters, right?
• Ava and I get home before Jeremy during the week.  Every little sound she hears outside, she thinks he's just gotten home...and she looks at me and whispers, "Dada?" in a hopeful voice.  
• She loves her friend Ella so much that she has named a Strawberry Shortcake figurine from a Happy Meal after her.  Don't call her Strawberry Shortcake.  It's ELWA!

• She has become quite the boss around our house.  If she tells you to sit, you'd better sit.  And she's very specific about the spot where you sit too.  Often, she wants you to sit in one of her PlaySkool chairs...and those things are not sized for adult behinds!
• Besides Cheer-o's, her favorite foods are: pasta (pa-pa), crackers (cacka), bread (breah)...you know, no carbs or anything.
• Every old man is "papaw."  In the store, on TV, in magazines..."papaw."  

I'm anxious to hear all the things she says and comes up with as a two year old.  Her language has blossomed so much lately, and it's amazing to listen to that sweet voice...even when she is saying "dammit."