Noah FINALLY Talking!

We've been worried (not a lot, but a bit) about Noah's development for a few months.  After he started talking, he really didn't progress that much.  He went through a six or so month stretch where he didn't pick up many new words at all.  And when we would try to get him to say a new word, he would give us the class Noah "stink face" (aka the "butthead").  I'm not sure we have a good picture of Noah's stink face, but we see it everyday.

It's sort of a cross of the these two faces, but with less smile.

As of about a month ago, he had somewhere around 10 words.  Our parents at teacher educator assured us that this was completely normal.  However, (and I KNOW it's not good to compare kids) Abby started talking so early, that I think what we thought was "normal" was a bit off.  Also, Noah is of course a boy.  Apparently boys start talking later.

We thought going back to school would help him, but for the first two weeks there was not much change.  But this past weekend, something happened.  All of the sudden, he just started saying all kinds of new words, and actually wanting to repeat us.  It's very exciting!  Now that he will actually try new words, it's amazing how good his pronunciation is. 

One of Abby's teachers does something called "deuces."  You put up the peace sign and say "deuces!"  I have no idea what it means, but Abby loves doing it.  So, she was doing it tonight at the dinner table, and all of the sudden, Noah holds up his hand and yells "deuces!"  Of course, he didn't say it as clearly as Abby, but we could certainly understand it!!

Part of the reason we have been wanting Noah to speak to bad is for simple communication.  For the past 5 or 6 months, Noah often gets very frustrated because he is trying to tell us something, but can't get his point across.  This leads to temper tantrums and time outs.  He has been a much harder 1 year old than Abby ever was.  He's not a "bad" kid.  When he's being nice, he is the sweetest little kid you'll meet.  His teachers comment on how great he is.

Since he has started talking more, he is just such a happy kid.  He can finally tell us what he wants and needs.  This leads to a much happier family!

His hair has gotten crazy!