She Spit It Out!

Warning: to some, this might seem graphic. Viewer discretion is advised.

Probably since before she was one, I've tried to teach Nui Nui to spit out the phlegm she coughs up. Ten days ago, while Mom and I were talking around the dinner table, Nui Nui walked away and came back with this bucket. Tears in my eye: #soproud

The thing is, is that I know she knows what I'm asking and even how to do it. It's just a matter of time whether she wants to or not. I'm looking forward to the teenage years... :>

Anyway, Nui Nui's getting used to my taking photos and she happy agreed that I take a photo of this :> Recently, as I've been trying to #foodporn more, she's been insisting I take a photo of her plate too. So funny. TMI? Open book.

Pretty Girl In A Pretty Dress With A Pretty Smile Sets The Table And Writes '10'!

Nui Nui has been wanting to take on more responsibility (and I'm all for it) and it first started with the napkins and now she can set the table. She was so proud of herself, as was I :>



While we were hanging outside with our sidewalk chalk, Nui Nui wanted me write the number ten. This was our conversation:
Nui Nui: Momma, write 10! Write a one and a zero! [she showed me a one with her fingers :>]
Me: No, you write me 10.
Nui Nui: No, I don't know how.
Me: Yeah, you do. Write a one and a zero, or an O, together.
Nui Nui: Ok.

...And then she does! This is what it looked like! :>

School Update - April 7-11, 2014

This is the most social day yet that I've seen Nui Nui at school— loved every minute of it. She said goodbye to each and every one of her friends by name :>

Reaching New Heights!

More and more, Nui Nui has not been needing a lift-me-up, whether it be a booster in a restaurant or stool to wash her hands. She's starting to reach new heights! :>

I Think I Can :>

So I bought Nui Nui 'The Little Engine That Could' this weekend and we've been reading it all week— she loves Thomas and Friends, so this is totally up her alley.



I didn't remember the whole story myself, just that the engine said 'I think I can' and accomplished a feat he didn't think he could by saying that and being encouraged by his cargo.

This version, (because there are versionS), however, tells it that the engine is actually female and before her, there were others who came by but were just not willing to help, adding a moral to the story that it's good to help. [Side note but thought I'd mention that because you know I love that stuff]. Anyway...

So, I read books to Nui Nui in certain ways (voices, tone, etc.) in efforts to animate them and make it memorable and interesting. So the 'I think I can' is especially noteworthy, as is the part about the 'they no help'.

Nui Nui gets really eager about sharing what she learned this week that every time we finish reading, she wants to tell Pau Pau before being tucked in.

I let her go run to Pau Pau, not saying anything, allowing the two to communicate independently (I want to see how clearly Nui Nui speaks and if Pau Pau can understand). The first time when Nui Nui told her 'I think I can', Pau Pau's reaction was, 'You dink a can?' #hilarious!

Tonight, after Nui Nui told her again (and again she heard 'dink a can') and was put to sleep, Mom asked me:

'What is this joke about 'I think I can'? She wants to be able to do everything?'

Mom doesn't know the story and this situation is absolutely hilarious. One, going forward, Nui Nui will be learning new things and sharing them with us, some of which we do not know and will have to teach us. Two, the language development process can be frustrating at times, when we don't understand her though she's trying really hard and is also loads of laughs when one of us do but the other doesn't.

If you have kids, do you understand everything s/he tells you?

Share in the Comments below the things you don't understand. If you don't have kids, share something funny because we love a good laugh! :> xoxo

Latest Updates-- Scared!-- And Our Day In Photos

Latest developments...

• We go out diaper-free now, resorting to them only sometimes during naps.
• Night-time is difficult, as she's learned to say she needs to go to the bathroom if she can't sleep because she knows I'll likely take her. What's a mom to do? If I tell her she can't go to the bathroom when she asks (asking is a huge part of the learning battle) then what am I teaching?
• I went out to dinner with Nui Nui last night, just the two of us. It was really nice. I think I can start going out with her now as if she were an adult :> Her sitting skills are very much improving. It makes a huge difference, given the social dynamic, too, I think. I'll need to do more dinner dates with her :>
• As of today, Nui Nui knows fear. Today, in Barnes, she saw a little boy in a Darth Vader mask and she looked at him with concern and caution, speechless and pointing at him, as she neared closer to me. I asked her what was wrong and asked if it was the boy. I assured her it was just a little boy wearing a Darth Vader mask. She wasn't buying it. Finally, he took off the mask and saw it was a boy. She felt a little relieved and even more so when he left.
• Another fearful, scared incident— second time today! Tonight, as we were brushing teeth, she thought she spotted a mouse in the bedroom. She was scared. She said she was scared. I used the mouse to help get her to brush her teeth and wash her face. After getting cleaned up, I told her the mouse was gone and explained the importance of washing up and brushing teeth— to fend off the hungry mice. She asked repeatedly, needing assurance that they were gone.
• Got a new book today: The Little Engine That Could. On sale: $3.87, hardcover :> We read that tonight. It held her attention and she was decently interested. She needs a little work on the listening vs. asking questions part but at least she's engaged :>
• It was 67-70degF today. Absolutely gorgeous, sans a drop of wind. We walked outside today without our jackets. This partially reaffirms our move out west :>

School Update! - Hanukkah, Dreidels, Spanish, And NO ACCIDENTS! - December 2-6, 2013