Talking bobcats

We've been under the weather this past week which in part accounts for the length of silence. It has been beautiful, however, in my favourite Autumn way so we have been seizing opportunities to head outside every day we can. Parked in our back parking lot (in sight from where we normally exit when going for a walk) is one of the bobcats that James drives and it has become an essential part of our routine to walk around the bobcat before going anywhere (or coming back inside). Although the little bear isn't speaking completely yet he certainly is trying and not only makes sounds that are very close to the proper words but also is quite adept at getting his intent across through a variety of other ways. I know the moment he sets eyes on the bobcat and feel probably much like a horse does as he guides me over to it. As far as word enunciation goes, he has said "bob" very distinctly followed by other sounds and has also said "cat" (but he's practised and had that one down for a while now from the other context) and once he mashed the two with a longish "baaat" sounding word. But he's working on it and seems to be progressing. I know I probably interpret more than an outside observer would from what he says but I know he is trying the proper words and uses them at appropriate occasions. And we have had unbiased (as much as is possible) observers hear him say words (without our prompting them to hear things) so I'm not just an over-achieving mother. Just for future reference for myself, I want to list what he has said so far. Around three months he started saying "hi" (often with just a little aspiration but a clear vowel sound) at the appropriate times and occasionally when prompted. He has mostly dropped this now but waves with his hand (a few minutes after someone has waved at him, usually). Then he would say "Da" or "Dada" appropriately in a very happy voice when he was around eight or nine months. Around the same time he would say "Mama" but always when he was upset in a half-cry... He has dropped this one too but still calls or names James "Da" in a high tone (not to mention the body wriggles and smiles he gets too). I'm trying to remember which came first but around ten months he helped James change some light-bulbs (rather, watched while James changed the light-bulbs...much as I do when I 'help') and from that point was interested in lights and would point to them and say "ight". Then one day James was drinking a Blue and L was trying to grab it so James spelled the word out and said "it says 'Blue'" to which the little guy said "Bu" and has continued to pronounce appropriately (while pointing to the letters as James had). He doesn't have the 'l' down yet but will extend the vowel to the appropriate length for the word "Buuu". Then with the coming of the cats and his immediate interest in them he says "At" or "Ca" or even "It" (probably from kitty) whenever he seas or hears them. This is also said in that high tone he uses for Dad. Even when he doesn't say any word his pitch will heighten considerably when mentioning them. These are the words he is saying fairly consistently and clearly. Along with them he is very good at imitating sounds and miscellaneous other words. Over all it's fascinating and so much fun to be a part of his first steps in language! Now for a couple pictures from this week:

"Sorry, you're a little late for candy now..."

"That's okay: I'll eat this stick instead."