Jeffrey has started a new verbal thing.
Danielle: “Where’s Mama?”
Jeffrey: “Mama! hmmm… Mama! hmmm…“
This may go on for a few phrases or for 10 minutes. Word, thoughtful pause. Word, thoughtful pause. The funny thing is that his facial expression actually looks like he’s pondering the preceding word. As if “BOAT! hmmm… BOAT! hmmm..” is really causing him to question the reality of boats.
Jeffrey had his first teleconference yesterday. Just a few minutes before bed time, we had an idea for an experiment. We called up Grandma and helped her install Skype. Once it was installed, we helped Grandma create an account and then we called her using the computer. With our lousy Labtec webcam (needs alot of light), live video of Jeffrey was transmitted across the Intertubes to Grandma’s living room. Then she plugged in the webcam that we bought for them just before he was born and they appeared on our screen here. Jeffrey was quite pleased. He giggled and pointed to the screen. Ever the gentle soul, he then picked up the webcam and began beating on the keyboard. Oops.
All in all, it was a good experience, and we’re excited to try it out next with Grandma Jeanne & Grandpa Bill, Great Greatgrandma & Greatgrandpap Sheppard, and Aunt Bonnie & Uncle Roger. With decent webcams now only $20 or so, we’re almost at the age of video phones.
Jeffrey has come into the world of speech with all engines on full. He’s quite a noisy little boy, telling us all about whatever activity he’s engaged in. Whether he’s reading us a story (Goodnight….moooooon) or taking his “buh-boat” on an adventure, he’s got a commentary on it. I thought for the sake of historical record, I’d make a blog entry detailing Jeffrey’s vocabulary. In foreign languages, people’s fluency is often graded in three areas: how well you can speak, how well you can write and how well you can understand. Since Jeffrey’s handwriting is not coming as quickly as his other skills, I’ve chosen three other categories: Words other people can understand; Words Mom & Dad understand, but no other sane person would; and finally Words he understands but refuses to repeat.
Words Other People Understand (Generally in order of appearance)
Words Only Mom & Dad Understand
Words Jeffrey Understands
Words Jeffrey Cannot Say
Items with an asterisk are words that Jeffrey can sign in addition to speak. This is one of the very nice benefits of RIT’s Early Childhood Development Center (aka Margaret’s House).
And now Jeffrey, live and in person: PicasaWeb
Don’t forget to read to your children!
Song link: “What Would You Say?” by Dave Matthews Band
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