The cutest things Delaney's saying these days?
"Bo-Bo," otherwise known as "elbow." She'll point to hers or yours and say it repeatedly. This is not to be confused with "Boo-Boo" which she also says quite a bit when pointing to a mosquito bite on my ankle or the newly-blossoming zit on my chin.
"Aarrs-tide," otherwise known as "other side." She says this if she's nursing and wants to get to the other boob. As I'm switching her over I say, "Ready, set," and she says, "Go!"
The funniest thing Delaney's saying these days?
"RAH-dar!" This is her attempt at saying "Roger" because she heard me yell out to him one day last week when he was in another room. She thought it was hysterically funny so now, whether she's looking for him or not, she'll clomp around the house yelling, "RAH-dar! RAH-dar!"
The most interesting thing Delaney's saying these days?
Her ABCs. OK. That's a complete exaggeration. But, she's sort of, kind of got the idea. When I ask her to say her ABCs, she sings, "A, D, O, I," and then stops and smiles at me. It's cute. Damn cute. I think she's getting the hang of her ABCs from listening to the alphabet song on the "iPod" that MamaChristy gave her for her birthday!
The not-so-funny thing Delaney's still doing?
Scratching, of course. Not us as much, but other kids. At her 15-month check up yesterday I asked her pediatrician if there is anything else I can try to quell that behavior and he did have a great suggestion. "When you tell her not to scratch, you're telling her what behavior is not acceptable. That's good. But, you're not giving her a new behavior, one that is acceptable, to replace the bad one. When you tell her, 'Delaney, we don't scratch,' follow up that statement with, 'We pat softly,' or 'We kiss.' Give her something good that she can do and focus on instead and hopefully that will help this phase pass in two months instead of six." Duh. It's so simple. Why didn't I think of that? Guess that's why he makes the big bucks. I'm surprised, though, that I didn't see that suggestion among the multitude of resources I've been consulting about this problem.
The things that caused Delaney to shriek this week?
Her 15-month shots and her first trip to the dentist. The shots? Totally understandable. But I was so hoping that her first visit to the dentist would be fun and pleasant so she wouldn't be scared to go in the future. The main reason I took her was to be sure everything looked good and to make sure that we're brushing well and to introduce her to the concept of dentists. The facility we went to opened recently and was recommended to me by my dentist. It has a very kid-friendly, fun atmosphere with a sea theme. There was a huge saltwater tank with colorful fish, a coral reef undersea play station and TVs everywhere playing, "The Incredibles." What's not to love? Actually, Delaney seemed enthralled with it all and we were off to a great start. The exam is what freaked her out.
The dentist was a warm, friendly woman who suggested that due to Delaney's young age she only needed to have a brief look into her mouth. She had me hold Delaney on my lap, facing me, and asked me to tip her head backward onto a cushy table. I didn't think that would fly, but figured I'd best not be a Negative Nelly and give it a try. As predicted, Delaney started to flip out. I would have too. Who wants to be having a great time, brushing the giant teeth on a stuffed dog with an enormous tooth brush one minute and then get tipped backward against your will with some stranger prying your mouth open and peering in the next? It wasn't fun. My poor baby! But, once I tipped her back up and held her, she relaxed and she perked up even more when she got to pick a toy from the treasure chest. On the way out, she got a Nemo sticker and one of a cat and that made her darn happy too. I only hope the memory of the exam will be a fleeting one so that when we go back in six months all she'll remember are the "sish" in the tank and the fanciful stickers.
Do I have to pay your doc for the advice about how to get the kid to stop hitting/scratching/biting? (yep, our's started scratching this morning!)
What a great idea. We will have to try that!
Posted by: Cyndy | June 27, 2006 at 08:32 PM
Oh this is SO adorable!!! I love those funny things they say at that age.
Must be a universal thing when kids discover their parents have names besides "Mommy" and "Daddy." Both of mine thought it was hysterical when they realized that I call their daddy something else! And, of course, took to repeating it over and over and over.
Posted by: Lisa P | June 27, 2006 at 10:30 PM
You are a good woman. I have yet to take my boy to the dentist and I am not looking forward to it.
She's such a cutie, your Delaney!
Posted by: MamaChristy | June 28, 2006 at 04:01 AM
I love the advice on the scratching...sometimes I just have to smack myself on the head and say "Doh!" And you are doing great on the dentist. I didn't take Caitlin until she was 2 and it was only because she nearly knocked her front tooth out. I still lhaven't taken Amelia!
Posted by: Jamie | June 28, 2006 at 01:08 PM
Kidlet words: what a great idea for a post! I may have to steal this (as well as the doctor advice). I got Big Girl through her first dentist trip last year. What made the big difference: grape flavoured rubber gloves! I thought Big Girl was going to eat the woman's hands!
Posted by: MamaSutra | June 28, 2006 at 11:06 PM
Sooooo cute! I love bo bo.
My ped had advised I should take Lauren to the dentist between 2-3. Being a total dentophobe myself, I waited until right after her 3rd year well visit so that I could say I'd scheduled it...I am sorry I waited that long. Lauren had 4 cavities at her first visit! If I'd gone at 15 months, maybe we could've headed off her weak enamel with fluoride...well maybe not, but I hate doing Mommy what-ifs. Anyway, the drilling and filling was pain-free, and at her visit last month, no new cavities with the daily fluoride supplements.
Posted by: Heather | June 29, 2006 at 02:57 PM
Allright, Colleen.... you can't post a dentist-thing and not expect me to comment! :-) You did the right thing by taking her early! They ALL scream at that age... and the technique that Ms. Dentist used is actually the same that I use with my itty-bitty patients. Stick with it every six months... and within a couple of visits, I'm sure Miss D. will be a happy dentist-goer!
Posted by: Stephanie | June 29, 2006 at 09:27 PM