This is an actual conversation that I had today, with my youngest nephew (whom we shall call Eel). And by “conversation” I mean me jabbering on like a worn out copy of Dick & Jane, holding him while he plays with a cabinet and says something to the effect of “Buh! Buh bleeh buh!”
Eel is just shy of his first birthday, and has begun to talk. Mostly he makes noises, but every once in a while busts out with an actual word, like “Dad-dah!” or “Ball!” (and uses it in the appropriate context, no less). Highly gratifying for those of us convinced of his epic (budding) genius.
Nathan had to work today, but his sister and I took Eel out for a hike here in the park. The only problem was that once we got to the trail head, we realized we’d forgotten the Eel-carrier. Whoops. But we’re nothing if not troopers, so we each took a tiny hand and began the Slowest Hike Ever.
Toddlers interact with the world very differently from adults. I can only assume it’s the newness of everything. They walk slowly not just because their legs are the length of a small bread loaves (and their balance that of an inebriated nineteen-year-old), but because they are making sure they take it all in. There are frequent stops to investigate interesting rocks (and the edibility thereof; my sister-in-law’s rule of thumb is that if it’s too big for him to choke on, he’s more than welcome to stick it in his mouth), to stare gape-mouthed at little rivulets, to point out at the vegetation and triumphantly announce, “Bush!”
It was not the brisk four-miler we had planned, but in a lot of ways it was even better. We can always load Eel up properly tomorrow, but today I’m glad we took the time to appreciate North Carolina on a smaller scale.
Love your insights on our mini hike. Made me look at it in a whole new light myself. =)
ReplyDeleteOh, and by the way, Curt really loved this post, too. Says we need to print it out for the baby book!
ReplyDeleteYou are MORE than welcome to! ^_^
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