Ta-Da!

That's Lauren's newest word. Last night while Dad was putting Lauren to bed, I kept hearing "Ta-Da" from the bedroom. I guess she would say "Ta-Da" and pat Russ on the cheek. She uses "Ta-Da" when she shows us something she likes or when she does something fun (like if we spin her around, she'll yell "Ta-Da" at the end). Here are a few of her other words:

1. Da-da: refers to her Dad or anyone else who is familiar to her.

2. Ma-Ma: usually means "Back-off! I don't wanna take a nap!"

3. Titty (or Diddy or ditty): refers to the Kitty. This is the first word Lauren used discriminately. A couple months ago I heard the cat crying from the back room, so I began to call in a high pitched voice "Kitty Kitty!" Lauren, who was sitting on my lap, began looking around and echoed "titty titty!" (also in a high pitched voice). We went to the Zoo last night and found out that almost anything on four legs qualifies as a "Titty." When asked what the Kitty says, Lauren responds with something between a hiss and a growl (yes, that is usually what our Kitty says).

4. Na-na: Also known as the divine fruit or Banana. A favorite for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or whenever a banana is seen. It's the last item we pick up at the grocery store (so that our fellow shoppers don't have to hear "NANA, NANA, NANA!!!" throughout the entire store).

5. Ta-Da: as described above, Ta-Da means Lauren is proud of herself for accomplishing something, or proud of Mom and Dad for doing something cool.

6. No: Often means Mom and Dad are doing something wrong. (That's not what I wanted, don't take that away from me, I can play with the electrical outlet if I want to, let me pull your hair again, it's not bedtime, etc.)

6. Yeah: Sometimes means yes, but also makes a great war cry.

Never a dull moment.