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Language explosion

I admit that earlier in December and November, I had started to be concerned with how many words Luke knew. He had a grasp on the important ones: Mama, Daddy, candy, TV, popcorn, and so on. He also clearly had things to say---he could hold his own in any conversation he thought worthwhile, expounding on various subjects at great length and with great emotion, although without using any actual English words. But he didn't know the requisite number of words you're supposed to know at 2, he would repeat words I said but not come up with them on his own, and he certainly wasn't using any sentences.

How things change in a short time. Luke started asking "Wha dat?" for everything he saw in books and in the world. He started putting together sentences ("telegraphic speech," according to the FNDP (friendly neighborhood developmental psychologist)) like "Mama beep!" In addition to making noises for animals, he says their names: cat, doggie, sheep...

Last night we went on a walk to see Christmas decorations before they all got taken down. Luke asked about and learned the words moon and stars, and possibly Venus (we're not quite sure about the last one). I think having guests here really pushed his language development. If you have to communicate with someone other than your mother, who is in tune with all your grunts and body language, it is to your advantage to use actual words.

Don't misunderstand me: if you came to visit tomorrow, you might not notice that he's using words instead of babbling. There are only a few words he uses that are decipherable without context and help from his parents. ("no, up, mama, daddy" are the ones that come to mind.) But the explosion is starting to take place, and it will only get more exciting from here on out.
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