Josh's Word of the Day

"Mole"

He seems to pick up odd words that Letty and I would use on a daily basis. Last week, he started to get really interested in "Baga" -- his word for garbage. He loved to take used tissues and say "Baga, baga" until we open the garbage for him to throw it in.

This week, the word is "Mole", as in "there's a mole on Daddy's face and I love to poke it". Little does he know that he has a mole of his very own, it's just not easy for him to see and poke at (thankfully).

Album: Week 73

Video of Grunty Saying Goodnight

Album: Week 72

A Conversation with Joshua

The following conversation ensued after reading Goodnight Moon tonight.

Me: Goodnight Daddy!
J: Dada!
Me: Goodnight [Nanny].
J: [Nanny]!
Me: Goodnight Grandma.
J: *clicks tongue* (This is the noise Grandma makes when she comes over.)
Me: Goodnight bananas!
J: Nana!
Me: Goodnight blueberries.
J: Blue blue!
Me: Goodnight yogurt.
J: gogurt!
Me: Goodnight garbage. (his new favourite word, in which he will run around the house, holding a used tissue, repeating it over and over again until he dumps it into the garbage.)
J: baga!
....
I name like 15 other objects that he knows the name of.
....
Me: Goodnight Max! (His stuffed monkey)
J: Mac!
Me: Goodnight [J's Chinese Name].
J: *grins*
Me: Goodnight Mommy.
J: Mama!
*big hug*

Album: Week 71

When life hands you lemons...

Me: Joshua, say lemons.
J: nemon!
Me: Joshua, say lemonade!
J: nemanemanemanema!

Understanding Remorse

Last night during storytime, I let Joshua play with one of the old novels I have floating around my night table. He was very enamored with it, and with the idea of a big book, with only words, and no pictures. He wanted Daddy and I to read it to him. He was busy flipping through the pages, when suddenly, a huge rip startled him. He had ripped one of the pages of the book. He immediately knew he did something wrong. In the past, when something like this happened, he would grin and continue on. But last night, he stopped short and stared at the book. Then at me. And he said “uh-oh” in a very quiet voice. He kept staring at the book and saying “uh-oh” in that quiet voice a few more times. I reassured him that it was ok and that he needed to be gentle next time. Even after Tim told him to kiss Mommy sorry (which he did), and took the book away saying “Daddy will fix it”, he still felt remorseful. I think if he could, he would have said “I’m sorry”.

This is the first time I’ve actually seen him express any remorse for his actions, and I’m pleasantly surprised. I know he knows the difference between right and wrong. But he has never actually felt badly about a wrongful action. It was heartbreaking to see him be upset, but I was also happy to see his range of emotions expanding. I think remorse for one’s action is an important and hard concept to grasp, and I’m truly surprised to see this in my 16.5 month old.