J learns to speak (not just babble)

Yesterday, J spoke her first complete sentence.

"Daddy come home," she proclaimed, as Daddy walked into the bedroom to get changed.

He had just arrived home.

It's astonishing how the floodgates of understanding have suddenly been opened.

J isn't just babbling anymore.

She's actually making sense and demonstrating that she understands what is being said to her.

Like when she was watching Play School just now.

The presenter said, "Jemima received a call on her mobile phone this morning."

Eyes still on the TV screen, J picked up our cordless phone, put the receiver to her ear and said, "Halo".

Then - "Okay, bye" and put the receiver back on the table.

And resumed watching Play School.

Amazing.

Last night, Annie called.

"Would you like to say hello to Auntie Annie?" I asked, and offered her the receiver.

"Halo," she said clearly into the phone.

It was a first.

Normally she just smiles and refuses to speak into the receiver.

She must have just made a connection between the the receiver and the voice on the end of the line.

She can copy sounds very well too.

I have said countless words and phrases to her.

Some she manages to mimic.

Some are beyond her grasp for now.

But she makes a valiant attempt, which shows she is trying.

She can understand instructions very well.

If I tell her it's time for a diaper change, she walks into her room, lies face down on her Winnie-the-Pooh change mat and stretches out her legs.

If I ask her to give Beth a hug, she reaches out and gives Beth a huge hug.

I love watching them cuddle and hold hands.

I pray the girls will always love and look out for each other.