Communication Station

We all know about Cody's verbal acumen, but Cordelia's not far behind. She's at that fascinating stage where she adds dozens upon dozens of words a day, usually enunciating them more or less perfectly. ("Downstairs! Outside! I may do! Jeans! Meds! Candles! Starbucks! Sandwich. Mama's coffee! Pop-Pop loves you. So much! Help you please! Do it! Laundry! Cups! Blue! Yel-yow!") And Cody is big on "coaching" her through each syllable, like this:

CJP: Cordelia, can you say 2011?

CML: No.

CJP: Can you say "two"?

CML: Two.

CJP: Can you say "thou"?

CML: Thou.

CJP: Can you say "sand"?

CML: Sand.

CJP: Can you say "eleven"?

CML: LEVEN!

CJP: YOU SAID 2011, Cordelia!

Highlights from Cody today...

Me: Cody, I was thinking that after dinner I could play you a song on the piano and sing to you. What do you think?

CJP: Well, I don't think that's a good idea. I would really prefer for Mr. Chris Martin to sing, and not you.

And this gem:

CJP: Mom! Bidi's face and head got broken! And her legs?

Me: Oh no! What will you do?

CJP: Well, I will take care of her. I brought her to the hospital. Big Tippy is the doctor and Baby Tippy is the nurse. And I am the helper! And Miss Flippers will fix her!

Not to be outdone, Cordelia found emphatic ways to express her (fixed) opinions.

Me: Come on over, Cordy, so I can put your sneakers on.

CML: NO!

Me: Excuse me? You need sneakers to go outside.

CML: NO! Party shoes. PARTY! SHOES!

And yesterday, at the library, she re-created a moment--almost word for word--I first had with Cody around this age. I asked her if she'd like to go to the library and she replied, "Yes! LIBERRY! TURTLE! SQUIRT! PUZZLES! BOOKS!" (These are, in fact, all the highlights of the library adventure.) When we got there, she ran right up to the tank to see Squirt. And here is what ensued:

CML: Turtle! THERE! TURTLE! Sleepy. Rock!

Me: Yes, he's asleep on the rock. Shhh. Don't wake him up.

CML: Turtle...TURTLE! TUUUUURRRRTLLLEE! WAKE UP! WAKE UP TURTLE! ALL DONE SLEEP! WAKE UP!"