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Piglet said his first word today.
So, was it “Mumma”?
No it was not.
Let’s forget the possibility of it being “Dadda,” as he has been repeating that sound for months without, clearly, the slightest clue as to what it may refer in some circles, since he has never heard me utter such a sound. This naturally makes me somewhat smug when I come across parents who swear blind that their seven month old has been calling Daddy by his correct title for several weeks now, as if Piglet can identify and pronounce the “dadda” sound, despite his never having had any sort of a Dadda whatsoever, then that is surely incorrigible proof that babies make random sounds without having the slightest clue what they refer to in the adult world.
This is what I have been telling myself since lunchtime today, anyway.
We popped into our new local haunt the Cafe on the Square, a fabulous place which used to be a public toilet with “Kelly loves Darren 4EVA” scrawled on the walls in marker pen, but which has been turned into a tiny but very friendly cafe staffed by helpful Christians doing God’s Work of serving lattes and paninis to a surprisingly gentrified bunch of locals, and got into a conversation with a blind lady and her guide dog (well, the human lady did most of the talking, but it was the dog who was of interest to Piglet). The lady kindly allowed Piglet to stroke the dog, which he did enthusiastically, having recently discovered that animals are A Thing. Yesterday he met a cat, and was similarly enthralled. The cat, unfortunately, was somewhat less magnanimous than the guide dog, and very nearly attacked him.
Anyway, the guide dog and Piglet (via their respective guardians) were formally introduced and exchanged pleasantries, and upon being informed that the dog’s name was AJ, Piglet yelled “AJ!” to the universal joy of everyone in the cafe.
Yes, Piglet’s first word was the name of a dog. He loves a random dog, that he has met a grand total of once, more than he loves his Mummy.
An actual dog.
Later on, we went to the park and Mummy felt even worse after facing her Diane Keaton in Baby Boom moment (not the one where she starts a successful business selling apple-flavoured baby food and gets to return to her old company in triumph and then totally give them the finger. I am still waiting for that one) after being privy to a parkside conversation about “when you did your circus skills course Hermione dahling” and fretting that not only does Piglet love a dog more than his Mummy, but Mummy has ruined Piglet’s chances of going to a good university forever due to not enrolling him in circus skills, baby sing and sign, or that one where the babies get tickled with giant feathers, which he is probably too old for now anyway and it’s all just TOO LATE.
There may, however, be a future for him at the Dogs Trust.
It’s strange how kids suddenly got fascinated with animals. My little boy likes cat but my little girl likes dog… I don’t know why they don’t like the same, easier decision on what pet to get in the future, lol. #AnythingGoes
Yes, it’s literally just in the last few weeks that Piglet has developed a fascination with dogs. I wonder if it’s because they’re on the same level as him, unlike grown-ups where he’s constantly looking up!
I love this. The relationship between children and animals is so cute to watch, even if it is just a chance meeting, I imagine his first word being said dogs name probably wasn’t the way you pictured the moment though!
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes
Debbie
Tyger’s definite first word (as opposed to the random sounds you mention!) was ‘cat’ and my sister’s first word was ‘woof’ so animal themes seem to be common. My husband is convinced Baby Bear’s first word was ‘Dad’ but…about those random sounds again…haha! Great post. #AnythingGoes
Thanks! He’s now graduated to “Mumma,” but I don’t think he uses it to refer to me. The other day he said “Mumma” and hugged me, which brought a tear to my eye, but mostly he just says “A-DA!” when he hugs me (and in all other contexts where words might be required) so I think we’re still on random sounds for the most part.
I’m glad you wrote about this ‘dada’. Everyone keeps saying my little lady should have a word by now, we are watching and waiting because of my son. She has been walking around saying ‘da’ and ‘ma’ but to me they aren’t words! How funny that his new found love of dogs produced your sons first word. Baby circus skills, no one told me about that ;0) x
Yes, Piglet is saying “mumma” now as well, but it’s clearly not aimed at me. The other day my mum said triumphantly, “look, he DOES know who you are, he’s saying mumma!” and he then started immediately saying it to her as well. Random sounds, definitely! Hope your daughter says her first word soon.
Aww, well done him!
I guess the dog was more at his level than the many pairs of knees wandering around.
I’m sure I read somewhere that first words are invariably “dad” sounding, because of the tongue formation or something like that.
How lovely that he was so engaged with AJ.
Thanks for linking up with #SSAmazingAchievements
Yes, he’s really into dogs now. I think it must be something to do with them being more on his level!