#thewaymaxsays

I started a new hashtag on Instagram called "the way Max says". 

At this point he is saying so many new words all the time - 

he's quite the chatterbox.  Rather than try to keep a

running record of all of his words, I decided it might be more

fun to record tiny snippets of how he says things (when he feels like cooperating of course).

(pretty sure he's saying "more blueberries please" here)

Language is such a funny thing - 

the sounds, the repitition, the syllables - a lot has to come together

for a child to say (or repeat) what you're saying. 

(look! look! fish!)

He's got no problems repeating what we're saying

but what I've noticed now is that I can also ask him things 

and he will consider my question, and then give me an answer. 

Sometimes it's a real answer, sometimes it's some garble-di-gook (that's probably a real word) that

I can't understand. For so long, I feel like we just stared at him.  Willing him to say something. Anything. So now, it feels really exciting to be able to converse (sort of) with him. 

(penguins up there daddy, look daddy, look!)

Case in point:

me: what are you eating Max?

Max: a chip! (a random chip that he found on one of the shelves of the island). 

me: where does a cow live Max? (as he was holding his beloved cow from Chick-fil-A)

Max: barn. 

me: Who else lives in the barn?

Max: chickens!

me: (open the front door)

Max: it's snowing!

me: well kind of - there is snow on the ground

Max: it's icey. go outside

me: who's house are we going to?
Max:  Jessi's house!
me:  Who will be there?
Max. Collin. Ronin. Addie.  Addison
me: Is there a dog?
Max: Jake dog.

me:  do you want to go outside?
Max: walk in the snow. snow mountains.

me:  Who's going to come over?
Max. Titi.

me: Do you want to read a book?
Max. No. no books
me: okay then.
Max:  llama llama. (garbled garbled) BUGS! (I think he means ten little ladybugs).

The "conversations" are not going to be award winning by any means, but it's so neat
to see him process what we are saying and then be able to use the words at the correct time and place. His expanding vocabulary makes it even easier to understand his wants and needs.
It also means he understands us too - which sometimes goes over really well.
And, other times, when he understand we are saying "no" or "stop" - it frustrates him.

(definitely understand the word "cheese" and "smile")

Either way - we are happy to hear his little voice!
Also - check out the hashtag to actually hear his voice!

Xoxo