Giving a Hand

This was a Sunday of giving for Tavish - a helping hand for his digging Daddy and a standing ovation for "Hey Buster", a neighbourhood children's band ...

MOMENT: Helping Hand

"We" took on the big project of moving a tree from the backyard to the front this weekend. I think that "we" appreciated the break and 'help' from Tavish as much as Tavish appreciated helping. I was pooped just watching ...



MOMENT: Musical Appreciation

We hustled to a cd release party post-nap and arrived to much hustling about from the large under 3 feet crowd in attendance. It was overwhelming, but Tavish was a trooper. We secured a safe spot on the floor to watch the band. Tavish watched intently and stood instinctively at the end of each song to applaud. When they took a break, he repeatedly said "thank you" (sign language) to the band members from across the room. He would tap his head emphatically (hat) and point to one of the singers - guess he was most thankful to the one wearing a hat. I think "Hey Buster" found a new fan to add to their list of toddling groupies.

Repeat-a-Read

I've recently supplemented Tavish's extensive book collection with some Library books. He is loving them. Some a minimum of 4-10 times a day, others 2-3. Here are some highlights ...

MOMENT: "Duuuh? Duuuh?" (Duck, Duck)



To say that he loves this book would be an understatement. The handy part, I love it too. The illustrations are cute and the message is wonderful: "oh-oh!" (something happens), "I can help" (does something helpful), "thank you" (the helpful animal is thanked). Repeat. It even coordinates well with two of his favourite signs: 'help' and 'thank you'. It also encouraged "duuuh" in addition to pointing at ducks. Love it.

MOMENT: Kept in Waiting



This one features animals as well, but instead of manners - these animals are demonstrating patience. Nice. Basically "the bridge is up", the bus ("buh") can't go, "so everyone has to wait". Then more vehicles come, one at a time, and everyone has to wait (until the bridge eventually goes down). It's great, he says the vehicle that is added "Byy" (bike), "Truh" (truck), "dodozur" (bulldozer), "tactore" (tractor) and is often doing the 'wait' sign too. Gotta love the Library.

Tavish on the Go! Go! Go!

It's true, being constantly on the go invigorates me. I need to be going, doing, visiting, playing or something, most of the time. Tom is a good sport and makes the best of it because being on the move without him simply isn't an option - I love my Tom-time. So, we spend our time together doing stuff. After rhyming off plans, potential plans or ideas for plans on any given weekend, Tom will take pause to initiate this standard conversation:

TOM: What's the pace of the weekend, Kath?
ME: Go! Go! Go!

This conversation became extra entertaining when Tavish starting piping in a few months ago "guh, guh, guh" whenever he heard this banter. I was touched - he gets it!

MOMENT: "More Go-Go Peese"

Now, Tom believes that our family has a hierarchy of "go". He claims that I'm "go-go-go", he is "go" and that Tavish is a lovely balance of "go-go". You watch this video and decide if two "go"s are enough for Tavish. Oh, keep in mind that this video was taken on a weeknight ...

"Dog"

It happened, a sound effect was replaced by the real deal.



MOMENT: Dog has your Tongue?

"Wuuuh" and vehement pointing has long been how Tavish excitedly shared his dog sightings. Last night marked the end of the "wuuuh" era. We were walking up to our front door and Tavish says clearly and matter-of-factly "dog. dog. dog." There was only one dog, so I assume that his excitement is now being demonstrated through repetition. Just like that, a sound became a word. Within an hour or two he was playing with Mu-na-ma-na (Potato Head) and he said "arm" and "eye" too. There weren't sound effects for those before, but there weren't clear words either. Seems like time has found a talker in Tavish after all.

FLASHBACK: "Apple"

Waaaaay back in February, Tavish said his first word. This was exciting in and of itself, the fact that I unintentionally caught it on video was fabulous. Tavish was 'helping' with the groceries and I thought his healthy food choices from the bag was entertaining, so turned the camera on him. There it was, his first official word. Here is a talking Tavish at almost 11 months and his narrating Mommy who kept her excitement under wraps. Sure the desperate saying of "apple" was me shamelessly and pathetically trying to unsuccessfully provoke a repeat performance, but the parental freak-out was avoided, right? "Apple" has not said by Tavish again until recently, but his sign for apple almost daily is sure to help keep the doctor away.

Mommy's Little Helper

I guess it's a classic case of "monkey-see, monkey-do" ...

MOMENT: The Lure of Laundry

It seems that our little fella likes to keep on top of the laundry. He's quick to lend a helping hand by getting it out of his room and into ours. I wonder if he'd be eager to use the washing machine too? Hmmm, tempting ...

Friend & Food?

Tavish's ability to communicate by animal sound has proven to be an asset at the table. He is not too chicken to say what he wants ...

MOMENT: Bok-Bok-Bok

Tom and I were serving chicken the other night. Tavish liked it. He asked for "more" in his sign language. Tom clarified: "you'd like more chicken?". Tavish paused pensively. "Bok, bok?" Tom replied: "yes, chicken. Here you go". Next thing we know, our communicating protege says "more bok, bok pees". Hope it's not too early for Tavish to accept that his chicken friends are fun and tasty!?

Halloween Happiness

Halloween has indeed found a fan in Tavish. He went bananas over it, which makes sense ... he was a monkey! (har, har) He participated in the preparation of the pumkin, added sound effects to the costume and paraded with pride.



MOMENT: Pumpkin Pleasure

"Gum-pa-geh" is now a household favourite for Tavish. I guess that the pumpkin was a labour of love for him. It's beginning to overstay it's welcome, but I don't think Tavish will accept that. I thought I was brilliant to take it outside with us today to play with the intention of leaving it there. Tavish would have none of it - he refused snacks inside after demanding it, only to bring pumpkin to the door with a smile. A good little problem solver - he can have his pumpkin and eat with it too! (sigh). Guess it all started when he spent time in scooper heaven:



Then came the joys of being a poker face. Tom cut out the face in wee-pieces so Tavish could poke the pieces in or pull them out. The whole thing became a homemade shape sorter. After every piece was put into the pumpkin, he wanted "more":



Posing with "Gum-pa-geh" has been easy, he'd hug it all the time if he could. It has been lit and enjoyed with every meal since Saturday. Tavish even helps Daddy blow it out. Not too sure Tavish will take its absence well. Here's a wee-tribute to the soon-to-be-late Gum-pa-geh:







MOMENT: Marching Monkey

Tavish the Trooper or Marching Monkey? Both. He was a trooper and a marcher on the brisk neighbourhood parade and potluck. It was a chilly one. Note the thickness of the costume - there were a lot of layers under that monkey suit!