Now that Bumper is a robust eighteen month old I have discovered she loves to have tasks to do. These errands make her feel smart and part of our daily routine. The world no longer just happens around her, she is a productive member of it.When she claps for herself upon successful completion, I can't help but feel proud of her accomplishments.
She loves it when I send her off with a stack of fresh laundered tea towels to place in the kitchen or ask her to grab a wash cloth to throw in her bedtime bath. I'm constantly amazed at how many words she understands and how she nails even complex multi-tasks.
Now that we are in this pre-word communication world, she has "trained" us to understand her requests. She is very clear at asking for snacks during the day even though she doesn't have the words. She waves her favorite CD at me and says "Hi" for her favorite DVD (the first spoken word in the show is a young girl saying hi).
The other evening during the daily pre-bedtime mayhem, Bumper toddled over to me with two books and gave me that "read these mummy" motions. Both were bedtime books and both I enjoy to read to her anytime of day: Goodnight Moon and Pajama Time.
I didn't have time to sit down and read with her so I politely asked her to take them to her bedroom and we would read them later, before bed sweetie - I promise.
I rushed off to do whatever supposedly important task I needed to do and forgot about the request.
Bump went to bed without fuss and SB and I settle into our evening routine. I worked on MommyBlogsToronto Beta blog and he watched hockey. For the first time in 18 months, our life has a bit of predictability and I'll admit that I like it. I like it alot.
When I headed to bed later that night, I discovered something that just made me sigh.
On my bedside table sat those two books. She had placed them by my bedside instead of hers. Maybe she thought I needed a good night read to send me off to pleasant dreams. That little lady does things that amaze and delight me every single day.
20 comments:
Oh Cuteness! I love that stage when they can be sent on errands. It really made my life easier when instead of fighting off the child to try and fold laundry she could be assigned her own tasks. The pride that they get from doing things themselves is just so amazing to see.
But look out bc with all that comes the things like the books on your bedside table that just rip your heart out.
Such a cute story. Take it from someone about six months further along... it only gets better. Just as she has figured out your complex tasks, so she will figure out the language to express herself to you. And that's where it gets really fun... where you can see the wheels turning in her head as she makes sense of the world.
Very impressive! It is always so amazing to watch them learn new things. And what a sweet story about the books. :)
Look at those eyes! She's so beautiful. My girl is also 18 months and task oriented, throwing something in the trash can is my favorite. Such a fun stage.
I love that picture of her. She truly is such a beautiful little girl. And that story with the books, sigh.
Oh so cute. Scifi Dad is right, it only gets better...but don't think of that right now, just enjoy every stage as much as you can.
Adorable little girl....My daughter is 19 months and loves to put away my tupperware containers. It is just so funny how it thrills her to be "big" and help out.
She is a cutie pie.
It is impossible to do anything with Chicky around without her "helping". Sometimes it works out, but other times... Well, you know.
Nice memories you've created.
We enjoy Goodnight Moon and Pajama Time, too.
awwww...I'm reading Eragon right now at my elder daughter's command oops I mean request. Goodnight Moon. such sweet sweet memories....
God, I would have bawled my eyes out. Bittersweet.
adorable little smartypants helper!
Oh my! Could that BE any more awesome? No!
Is Bumper looking for some work? I've got some tea towels that need to be put away. If I give anything to Buttercup, she puts it in the garbage or in the recycle bin. Yah, I'm now a garbage picker, but hey at least she recycles right?
That is amazing! I, too, love how they want to help so much. I go out of my way to find tasks that I think the Boy can handle. He just looks so pleased. That is happiness.
I love this stage! Monkeygirl hauled four packs of diapers from the back hallway to the kitchen to give them to me. Just doing her bit to help out.
Never knew that toddlers could be so much fun!
What a sweetheart. What a beauty.
cute cute cute cute cute
That would have made me cry with guilt. I am such a ball of emotions these days. Is it bad that I want to eat your child?
I'm going through this stage now with my oldest. It's amazing just how much they understand and are capable of at this age!
Such a sweet, sweet child!
Be still, my beating heart. The cuteness!
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