Who Needs Words?

Olivia doesn't. Let's count the words she can and does say:

1. Tur-toe (turtle)
2. Pup-pay (puppy)
3. Bee-bee (baby)
4. Mo-ah? (more)
5. Do (We haven't figured out yet if this is "do" or "you". It's always been used as a command when she wants us to do something.)

(Note the distinct absense of the typical "Mama, Dada, and No".)

Everything else is pretty much just sounds. Our favorite is "Widgeh-widgeh-widgeh-widget".

But don't you dare assume that she's slow in any regards! She's managed to get along just fine with other ways of communicating. Mainly pointing and dragging us around the apartment until we come across what it is she wants.

Other accomplishments that I'm rather proud of her for:

1. Putting together a complex geometric puzzle without mistake (and this puzzle includes pentagons and hexagons (which I get confused when I try to put the puzzle together)).
2. Taking out DVDs from their case, opening up the DVD player, taking out the DVD in there and replacing it with VeggieTales.
3. She helps unload the dishwasher and knows where every utensil goes (which of the three drawers, or up on a hook!).
4. She dusts!
5. Before she goes to bed each night, she takes her two baby dolls, puts them on their own shelf, covers them with their own blanket, and places a book on them for them to read - should they have troubles falling asleep.
6. She knows where "Baby Brother" is. (The trick is, will she understand when he's on the outside that he's the same "Baby Brother" that was on the inside?)
7. I could go on and on.

The point is: You can read all the guidelines and listen to all the critics and become a nervous wreck because your child isn't doing things exactly like their children are OR you can trust that your child will develop into her own person at her own time. Thank the Lord I have such a beautifully unique child! How boring would life be if she were exactly the same as everyone else's child?