Walking to the park the other day, Lauren began to say, "I want the ploodle! I want to feel the ploodle." I asked her to repeat herself and she said the exact same thing again. I was lost.
Have you ever been there? I mean, you can understand the words that are coming out of their mouths but have no idea what they're saying??? I’ve backpacked alone through Europe. I’ve visited China solo. I’ve been to 5 of the 7 continents and traveled to over 20 different countries. Even though I may not have spoken the language in all of those places, I’ve managed to get where I’m going via train, taxi, boat or on foot; procured food and found a room; and I’ve seen the sights. I also spent four years as a linguist for the Air Force. Why then is it that I have so much trouble understanding my three year old? Usually she's just overly excited about what she’s saying or occasionally she’s overly upset. Either way, it can make for a difficult conversation.
Lauren: Mommy, How did the sqwireel bloh ahwaa?
Me: Honey, can you say that again? I didn’t understand.
Lauren: How did the sqwireel bloh ahwaa?
This is usually when I bring in the big guns. “Annnnnaaaa”, I call. “Please come tell me what your sister is saying.” Anna listens one time and then says, “Mommy, she just wants to know ‘how did the squirrel blow away’?” She must realize from my glazed over eyes and blank stare that Mommy is still in the dark. “You know, Mommy, from that movie “Ice Age”, at the very end??” The light finally dawns and I’m able to deliver a satisfactory answer to my wee one. Anna understands her most of the time and I’m usually right there with her 90% of the time but every once in a while she throws me for a loop.
In case you're wondering about the park phrase....she wanted to pet a poodle.
