Tri-Lingual

I don't like to brag, but lately I've realized that I'm tri-lingual.  It took me all growing up, college classes,  living abroad and a good chunk of my savings account to learn my second language, but my third came quite easily.  Actually, my 1 year old taught it to me. (See if you can read just the "Josiah" part and figure it out.)

Josiah -"Mommy? ...alky?"
Me- "Sure buddy! We can go on a walk."
Josiah- (points)..."icky...a-ocky?"    
Me- " You're right, a chicken! Would you like to hold that rock while you're sitting in your stroller" 
Josiah- "yup. Mommy? gucky bebe.....a-de!"
Me- "Yes, the baby is holding a duck...oh yea, look, a deer!"
Josiah- "Mommy? ottle uck...aaargh!!"
Me- "Oh, is your bottle stuck? Just pull harder buddy. You can get it out, don't yell."
Josiah - "a-yea...Mommy?...a-boobes?"
Me- "...yes, and the baby probably does want booby..."

Of course, like any astute student of linguistics, I can't claim to have the language mastered. Here is a sample conversation that I have yet to decipher.

Josiah- "A-mommy!? baba, daddy, mommy, ottle, baba....taaaaaataaaataaat....daddy?dada?daddy?mommy?mommy?mommy?....is is is... mommy, mommy, mommy, baba. Ma-b. Aaaaaahhhh. dat! dat! dat!"

Me- "Josiah, I can't understand you. What are you saying?"

Josiah- "a-i-dunno!"

I can only assume he is reflecting upon the state of the economic collapse in Europe and how our world economy will affect the upcoming elections. I've seen him listening to Ryan and I chat lately.




In case you're still a skeptic, here is proof of the linguistic variety this language employs. Below is a sample use of the homonym "caca." (Homonym= Words that sound the same OR are spelled the same, but have different meanings.) 

Josiah- "Mommy? caca!"  Translation: "I have caca in my diaper." (also the original meaning of the word)
Josiah- "Mommy! Bebe caca!" Translation: "The baby is eating something nasty off the carpet."
Josiah- "Mommy! Dis caca?"  Translation: " I found a used cigarette butt in the parking lot, amazing! Here, hold it for me or I'm going to taste it."

Josiah- "Mommy! yumyums caca!"  Translation: "Wow lucky day! I found a moldy, rotting piece of peach in the trash can and now I'm eating it! "



 I know what you're thinking. "It's a long-shot Camille. Maybe you're a little desperate to make yourself feel smart again." And to you I say, hey, here is the definition of "Language" according to my prestigious, infallible reference, Wikipedia:


 "Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication." 


I say it counts.

Signs of Life

Every once in a while, I look up from an ordinary task, to see an ordinary occurrence...that makes me laugh. They are little signs of the lives that buzz around our home. 

It's like looking at a gorgeous photo when something, normally insignificant, catches your eye. You look closer and see that you have captured a moment that does not repeat itself.

These are the little signs of life that mark the fleeting beauty of the season that we are in. They make me smile every time.

For the Fam.

A few pics of everyday life...for the fam. We are so blessed.

Lyndal's Graduation Weekend

Fourth of July

Beach Day in Cayucus with Jaime

We just love our babies and are having more and more fun with them every day!

Good Idea, Bad Idea

Good Idea

 Onsies on super-cute babies!!

Bad Idea

                                           

                                               

 Onsie on me.

Bottoms Up!

A two-dollar garage sale pool and 80 degrees later, the two cutest babies I've ever seen have been doin' some serious nakey time in the back yard.  Had to document a typical poolside afternoon for you baby-lovin' folks out there...

 I'm not sure why Kaila looks so concerned. She's our little go-getter. At the beach she ate fist-fulls of sand before I got to her, it was like a black mustache on her lips and chin. She dove face-first into the seaweed to snag a bite, and she leans her whole body into whatever water source she can find, just asking to be submerged in it.  I think we are going to have our hands full with this one!!  

 Suddenly shrieks and cries alerted me to some serious baby-angst. Kaila is a really easy baby, until she's had enough. Then, watch out! You've unleashed a beast! She has one loud set of lungs and doesn't stop screaming and heaving until she's physically and emotionally comforted. Upon further inspection, I found the incriminating teeth marks imprinted on her little heel. Josiah bit her. And then, I could hardly believe it. She turned her little head and gave Josiah a searing death glare that was so intense I think it heated up the pool water... Either that or somebody peed.

 Either way, I saw it. 

The ensuing time-out for biting his sister. Insert a steady whine and one little spank for getting out of the chair, and you have a typical time-out. Notice, by the way, the awesome outdoor table Ryan made for us. Well done babe! 

 I tried to keep the kids decent for the pictures, but Josiah insisted on taking his suit off. 

Can't say I blame him. ; )

Awwww, Bottoms Up to summer days!

Happy Fathers Day Daddy!!

This post is for my Daddy who is doing The Camino in Spain with my mom. I am thinking about you especially since we have not been able to communicate today. Today Ryan and I had huevos rancheros,  a leisurely day at home, then went to the beach with the kids and took turns surfing. It was a great Fathers Day, and yet Daddy, I see you in everything.

  You (and mom of course ;) set the foundation for my life.The love and affection you showed me set the groundwork for what I was looking for in a husband. I see Ryan cuddling with our kids,

and I see those nightly snuggle-kisses and the long hugs. I see you rocking me,  singing to "rocky rocky night night..." even when I was much too big to fit on your lap anymore...And most importantly, I see me fitting perfectly inside your arms when I see you again, and I will relish that time.

I see Ryan romping around with Josiah on his back like a horsey and googling over Kaila finding new ways to make her laugh...or teaching Josiah how to "surf..."

...and I see your eyes glitter and turn up in a smile as you take joy from watching and being with your three little girls. 

I see my relationship with Jesus, and it is so easy for me to understand how He loves, treasures, and lets me make my own choices (for better or worse), because my whole life you have loved me, you have treasured me, and yet you have let me go.

From daddy before I left to study abroad in Spain.

 I see you in everything Daddy. Thank you for sacrificing throughout your life in so many ways to raise me right. I am so proud of you and mom on this pilgrimage and I hope that you come closer to accomplishing the purpose that you wrote about in Uncle George's Eulogy. I am looking forward to seeing you but am so glad you are there. Happy Fathers Day. I love you

PS. And thanks for the great beer-batter fish taco recipe... the whole fam enjoyed them at the beach today!

Lunchtime!

What did your lunchtime look like today?

Oh the special memories.... ; )