Language

Roman is driving full-course into that language explosion phase, constantly babbling and talking and asking how to say things. He asks about how to say certain body parts, he asks for milk, he asks for toys and certain books to read (he will "moo" to ask for the book that talks about a cow blocking Thomas the Train Engine's ride or say "dhat" to indicate his Cat the Cat books).

While most of his words are still a bit baby-babble, some are discernible. He can now say "Anika" as clearly as he says "Mama" and "Dada," and he can say "diaper," pretty well, too. He will even point to it and say "diaper" when he sees one of us go to the bathroom. He's working hard on saying his favorite body part, the belly button, but so far it just sounds like "baba-baba." But he knows what he's saying.

He still prefers to eat with a bit of portable food in each hand while walking around the apartment, but if he is sitting down, there must be utensils involved. And you may not help him, thank you very much.

It's been interesting to watch Roman learn how to speak, as I've started teaching English classes to non-native speakers. The method I'm using is one of total immersion, and we are supposed to keep any and all talk about grammar to a minimum and just let the language happen naturally -- just as babies learn a language. I haven't had any students who are total beginners yet, but if Roman were my student - which I guess he kind of is, in a way - then he gets an A-plus for effort.

To facilitate learning in the older two, we finally got them desks and desk chairs for their room. Somehow this has made all the difference. They now sit quietly and - gasp! - enthusiastically to do their homework and computer assignments. Although I wish they had less assigned homework, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Before I know it, Roman will be learning to read, too.

Please, guys, can you slow it down just a little tiny bit!?