First Words

[mmack]

Well, Kirsten is in no way worthy of a world record, she still just says "eh-ohh", and is surely just imitating us...but its very cute, so maybe she could hold a world record for cuteness (she would have fierce competition though!)

Marion

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Sis had "tractor" and "caterpillar" at just after 6 months; not that I compare DS to her, but I am aware early talking is possible!

DS says "no" a lot, especially if I ask him a question... he's in his terrible twos already LOL.

Plus he notices things - DH has a very ugly broken nose right now (bruising and big and scabby), and as soon as DS saw him this morning he kept touching his nose whenever Daddy spoke... could be co-incidence, but he's not really a nose-toucher normally. He really is trying to communicate everything!

[~Jo~]

WOW that really is amazing..ive never heard of words being said at such a young age.

Jo

[sasha]

Sebastian mimicks us too. M is quite enamoured with the fact that he will say "eh-oh" in reply to "hello". Most of the time he tries to copy other sounds as well, but hello is the most consistent ( I guess he hears that most often). In fact he really doesn't shut up I was talking on the phone to Mum the other day, and he was so loud I had trouble hearing her. He tries to "talk" over me - the louder I talked, the louder he got! In the end, Mum was laughing on the other end of the phone, saying, "can't you get your son to be quiet? I can hardly get a word in..."

My uncle was one of those who didn't talk until he was almost 2.5, I think. Maybe even later. Everyone was telling Nanna there was something wrong with him, but she was convinced he was fine. Then one morning he just watched her load the washing machine and said, "Mummy, what are you washing my jarmies for?" Grew up to be incredibly smart!

[*Ali*]

Tori is saying duck, dog, tickle tickle, fish, as well as mum, dad, bub, nan and no, no, no (while shaking her head). She is saying all these words with meaning too, when she sees a dog in real life or on TV she points and says dog, also when you are tickling her she says tickle tickle tickle, or she will come up to you and do tickle tickle tickle or your feet (just like we do to her). She knows exactley what she is saying and what she means when she says each of these things, because she will point to the fish or duck as she says it.

[paradise lost]

Apparently there is a link between late talking and genius-like analytical skills.... I talked at 9 months - no genius here!

LMAO

[Fee]

First words at 12 months?

I think that's pretty common.

DS is 9.5 months and he can say "mama", "dada", "bubba" and "ta ta ta". That's about it. And to me they still are just sounds. Well they are more words than they were a few months ago but he doesn't actually say "dada" to DH etc.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Well, I shall take from that study that as DH and I both play instruments (as well as BiL and my mother) then DS is a budding Einstein LMAO. Maybe I am over-proud. DH and I are both very right-brained too, so I can see DS being the same. (BTW, I can't wait to get him his first shape-sorter, I loved that toy the most as a small child!)

I think I'll stick to the "what to expect... the first year" book, because DS can do everything a four-month old can reasonably be expected to do except for sit unaided. I love that book, he was doing some things before we came home from hospital that a 4-5 month old child is probably not doing! (And I only started to look at this when he was a month old, so it's not me forcing the issue.) DH and I like laughing "5 months old? He was doing that from birth!"

[~Jo~]

Its wonderful to be proud of our children Ryn..we all do that and marvel at each wonderful thing they do.

Jo

[Kirsty EW]

I can understand your pride. What a clever little boy! How exciting for you!!!

Re your request for advice as to how to spread the news... I always like to let achievements speak for themselves. They are still an achievement whether or not particular people notice. I prefer to appear modest, rather than risk any feelings of competitiveness intruding on relationships. If I were you, mother to such a young child, I wouldn't raise the topic of his attempts at speaking with your niece's parents. Instead I'd literally let your little fella speak for himself. If he doesn't choose to speak in their company, it doesn't mean he can't speak.

So many times I've been around people who insist their child is "soo advanced" only to find a couple of months later their child is lagging in another developmental area. Kids are all so different, I prefer to let them reveal their own talents and weaknesses to the rest of the family and indeedy the wider world of our friends in their own good time.

[Rouge]

Great post Kirsty. I totally agree! You've got some great advice there Ryn.

*hugs*
Cailin

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Very good advice, Kirsty - I saw Niece and SiL at Church briefly on Sunday and asked DS to say "hello" to them - and he did! But SiL spoke over him so didn't notice LOL. I waited until SiL had dashed off while I was unstrapping DS from the pram to praise him.

I just don't want to be overly cool about it, so when the in-laws get excited I say "he's been doing that for months" IYSWIM? Still, Niece slept through before DS, so he's not winning that one! LOL, we all know what we want the first big achievement to be.

[space cadet]

Ryn, your posts have me stitches! Classic 'first time mother' posts if ever I've seen them! No, it's not likely your boy is actually saying a word yet, but don't worry, he's very special nonetheless (that's the wonderful thing about kids, their mothers think the world of them). Every first time parent interprets any little burp or gurgle as a word! I think you are far too worried about comparisons between bubs, too. Just put it all in perspective - when your DS and niece are both at primary school, it will be impossible to tell which one rolled first. Anyhow, all the best! If/when you have another bub I'm sure you'll see how funny your posts have been

[Tracey]

Ryn, I hope you dont shove it down the IL's throats, babies, children, teenagers & adults all do things at their own pace & showing off bragging or making him perform like a circus act is really sad!

I have seen many a first time Mum brag that their child can make noises of various animals & had to sit through a rendition of farm animal noises which I had to clap & cheer at... But inside I could see the kids were just performing what the parents & grandparents had brainwashed them with, it is pretty sad!

It's great to be proud of ones child & I encourage it... But classing it as a win because he did or does something before neice, is putting way too much pressure on yourselves as parents, the poor child incase he doesnt live up to yoyr expectations & to your IL's & niece!
If you dopnt want him to be judged by others, then I say dont judge others by him either!!!

[~Raven~]

So many times I've been around people who insist their child is "soo advanced" only to find a couple of months later their child is lagging in another developmental area. Kids are all so different, I prefer to let them reveal their own talents and weaknesses to the rest of the family and indeedy the wider world of our friends in their own good time.

Spot on Kirsty! Many parents will speak volumes on what their child is advanced in but don't really talk about what they don't do yet.

Ryn I know you are tired of hearing about what your niece has done all the time, but can you see that you are joining in the little game of "my child is better than your because...".

Be proud of course but be better than them!

[*Rae*]

I'm afraid i have to agree with some of the others Ryn and think as lovely as it is that you are incredibly proud of DS, you are putting way too much pressure on yourself as a parent, and more importantly on him. You keep saying that you don't believe in comparing children but reading through your posts that is all you seem to be doing.

Don't wish these early days away and enjoy all the beautiful baby stuff - DS is gonna grow up too damn fast as it is.

[Fraser]

totally agree with the above - last thing you want to be is one of those mothers that people avoid because they get accosted with a list of things that their 'precious' has done.

I'm sure your little man is as clever as you say - we all think our children are smarter than the average! That's the thing averages are just that - an average!

[~Jo~]

Fantastic advice girls.

Jo