Tobey: Vacation update

As with the Nigara Falls vacation where Tobey played with 4.5 year old Emily, I think Tobey's verbal skills have grown after playing for a week with 5.5 year old Kelsey. Kelsey is very verbal and like her Chang older girl cousin counterpart, she speaks with that big sister inflection. It's fun to hear new things coming out of Tobey's voice after these vacations.

"...or somepin (something)." - Usage: "Oh look, I saw somepin!"

"...if you want." - Usage: "Maybe we can go to Whole Foods today...if we want."

"Mmmhmm." - I guess he picked up whenever we just "Mmmhmm" him while he babbles on about random subjects. He used to say to us, "Don't say 'mmhmm', say 'yes'." (I don't know where he got that from, I don't even say that to him.) But now he just does it too when we ask him a question. Usage: "Tobey, did you have a good nap?" "Mmmhmm."

Mom & Dad - A few weeks ago, Tobey started calling me "Mom" instead of "Mommy". I have no idea where that comes from except that maybe we mention "Mom" (Tom's mom) more now because of her illness. It's a little jarring hearing him call "M-o-o-m" in a store, like he's 8 now instead of 3. Tom got a taste of it today as Tobey started calling him "Dad". I don't think Tom's used to it yet because he doesn't always hear Tobey's short "Dad".

"Yay, Daddy!" - Usage: Tom takes Tobey to the potty. Tobey pees, "Yay, Tobey, good job going pee pee!" Then Tom goes to the potty. Tobey says, "Yay, Daddy, good job going pee pee!" This usually happens with other guys in the bathroom.

I think we're entering the phase where Tobey is both verbal enough and aware enough to start saying embarassing things. When Tom took Tobey to the potty tonight at Boston Market, someone (an employee) came in, used the urinal but didn't flush. Tobey says, "He didn't flush!" while he was still in the bathroom. Oops! Good thing he DID wash his hands. I'd rather have an employee not flush than not wash his hands.

"What?" - Usage: "Tobey, please take your dishes to the sink and then wash your hands." Tobey: "................What?"