the world according to Claire

Mostly Claire talks pretty clearly. She speaks mostly in sentences, and she's learned to pump up her volume if the boys are talking over her, or if she's not being listened to. She also says "Shhh!" like a champ. This happens often. Her favorite pastime is to watch Elmo or draw and color, and she now likes to go on errands since we got a CD of Sesame Street classics for the van. Her favorite letter is "W" and no, this is not in response to the 43rd president. She really enjoys shaking her booty, and American Idol is her favorite primetime show. But like any 2 year old, she has a few words that were a bit unrecognizable at first, so now, I'm beginning the Claire Dictionary.



"Yike!" She doesn't see the point in pluralizing it. I agree.

"Cockle" means tickle. most often usage: "Don't cockle me!" If you stop, then she says, "Cockle me, Mom!" or whoever she's talking to. I work on this with her -- I slowly say, "Say tttttt." She complies. Then I say, "Say tickle." She says perfectly, "Tickle." Then you tickle her, and it's right back to 'cockle.' Patty, help!

"This is fun!" or "I like it!" Used anytime the boys play with her.

"No nap!" Every time I start looking for her pacifier or take off her shoes at around 1pm, she starts insisting, "No nap." She has started hiding her pacifier because she thinks then I won't put her down for her nap. We'll see.

"Honey honey" n. any cute girl -- i.e. skinny, tall, long blonde hair (what can I say, a she's a victim of this shallow superficial society -- that, and she's seen Mamma Mia about 100 times). Usage (always in a surprised scream): pointing at whoever, "Mom, look, a honey honey!" Used frequently during American Idol but can also be used in real settings like the store or church.

"I dough way!" phrase. "I'm going away." var. "I dough to work now. Bye!" Used to avoid any possible negative outcome (i.e. coming inside from playing)

"Cool shuht." phrase. "Cool shirt." She's very into complimenting people's clothing. Also, sometimes we get a "Cool socks."

"A-noise" usage: "Elliot is a-noise-ing me."

"Is chust a choke." phrase."It's just a joke." Context: She takes her diaper off, pees on the carpet. I begin to get after her about it and she shakes her head, and says, "Is chust a choke."

"I want a gun." Troubling, yes, but I finally figured out there are two definitions for this one, and neither include a firearm. It's when she wants either a crayon or gum.

"Poo'd." I thought this meant, well, you know. We are trying to get her potty-trained before the new baby comes. However, she started to say, "I want poo'd" frequently. After a few days, I gave up putting her on the toilet every time she'd say this. Then I went into the kitchen one day, and she had climbed onto the counter via a stool via a stepstool (she's of course, a gifted engineer), and she had opened the bag of bread and had a slice in each hand, and several on the counter, with a few half-eaten ones on the floor and crumbs everywhere. She looked at me and said with mouth full, "I got poo'd." So I discovered, it means n. food. After gauging my dismay at the huge mess she'd made, she shook her head and said, "Is chust a choke."