The Benjamin Vernacular

HOLY COW!

Benjamin has become a sponge-y, parrot-y little boy. He listens intently, soaking up this strange thing called language and regurgitating back words & phrases at a remarkable rate. And, many times, at random.

Only a couple of months ago, I was slightly concerned that he wasn't saying much besides mama, dadda, and making a very impressive snorting noise ("What does the piggie say?").

Now, he says something new nearly every day. In fact, each night when we read to him, it seems that he is saying a new word from one of his books. Here are some of his favorites and a little guide, where needed, to help you understand The Benjamin Vernacular:

• Mom: Mama
• Dad: Dadda, Dad-ee
• Goodnight: Nigh nigh (through saddened sniffles)
• Goodbye: Bye-ee, especially "Bye-ee, Dad-ee!"
• See ya!
• Have fun!: Have fuhhhh! (this is usally in conjunction with one of the two previous words)
• "Old McDonald" chorus: E-i-e-i (drops the "oh")
• Horse: Horse or Ho
• Cow (most favorite word ever)
• Cat: Kitty cat, CAT, Bee-yow!
• All done
• Milk: Mek
• Turkey: gobbuhl-gobbuhl
• Sheep: Baah
• Pants: Pans
• Oh, cool!
• Gross: groh
• Disgusting: gust-ing
• Poop
• Yeah
• And his newest edition - and our most favorite word yet - No! No! No!

He still struggles with identifying/differentiating the animals in books sometimes. But if ever in doubt, EVERYTHING is a cow. Naturally.