A New Language

Once a baby (or child) enters your home, learning a second language is a must. There isn't a work book, video, or Rosetta Stone for this language. No one can really teach you this language, it's just something you'll pick up, even create on your own. You'll start speaking it without even realizing it. There's just something very easy and normal about it.

Baby Talk.

The other day I paid extra attention to how we talk with Emily. Brad and I each have our own version of Baby Talk. I add an "ie" or "y" to the end of words or repeat them:
poop = poopie
nap = nappy nap
bye = bye bye
Pelican = Pellie (Emily has a stuffed pelican that she sleeps with)
Emily = Emi
Banjo = Banji Banj
Frog = froggy
Sleep = night nights or sleepy time

Brad's version of Baby Talk is to sing everything. He's always "writing" a song about what we are doing. He's got 2-3 tunes that all of his songs go to. Some are funny, some are inappropriate, and some are really good. I think the sweetest song he's written is the Baby Emily song. I've only heard it a couple of times - but I think he sings it to Emily every day.

There is also a third version of Baby Talk around our house. It's how Brad and I talk about all things baby, without talking to the baby. This was the hardest version of Baby Talk to figure out. It's really more or a code word system. When I say, "I'm going to the back" and there are people around. It means, "I've gotta go pump".

Yes, I know it's all silly. But it's part of having a baby. And now it's time for me to go night, nights.