Mary the Parrot

Mary is learning language so fast! Since I last posted her list of words and signs fewer than three weeks ago, Mary has increased from 20 to 43 words and 21 to 30 signs. Even at that pace, I do have standards for what counts as her learning a word: she has to say it in a somewhat recognizable way, repeated several times in the appropriate context.

Mary imitates words and sometimes starts saying a word over and over that she heard in conversation. But she's merely parroting the word in the moment and doesn't know what it means, so I don't count her as having learned it. I recall a week ago or so she began repeating "another" after John said it. Another fun example of the joys of repeating what an older sibling says it that a few times when John has been behaving badly and screaming, "No, no, no!" at me, little Baby Mary has stood by and started saying (in a taunting voice), "No, no, no!" (Lectures about being a bad example ensue.)

Last night took the cake: Mary has learned how to scale her way to the top of the kitchen counter tops to hunt for things I won't let her have. After I pulled her off the counter top for the third or fourth time, she stood on the ground enraged and screaming. Chris walked in and I said, "I am such a mean mama. I wouldn't let Mary climb on the counters." Then Mary repeated, "mean mama!" She said it clear as day. In fact, before I could say anything, Chris pointed out to me that she had said "mean mama" perfectly.

Let's hope she does not repeat that phrase again, such that I'll have to add it to my list of words learned!