Gemma

Gemma's words are exploding lately.  She is picking up words constantly throughout the day.  They aren't always recognizable, but she is trying and certainly has a lot to say.

At the park the other day:

Mama: Gemma!  Go down the slide!  One! Two! Three! Go!
Gemma: Go! Go! Two! Nine! GO!


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At the airshow, waiting for the bus:

William: Why do we have to wait for a bus?
Daddy: It is a long way to walk, so they have a bus to ride.
William: I want to walk.
Amelia: But, I want to ride the bus!
Daddy: William, you don't want to walk.  Half way there, you'd change your mind and we'd have to walk back.
William: But, WHY can't we just waaaaaalk?
Gemma: Why? Why?  Why?  Why?  Dadda! Why?
Daddy: Uh oh.  What just happened?

-Bus pulls up-


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Almost dinnertime.  Kids are playing until Gemma hears a pan banging around.  Gemma comes running in the room and climbs into her high chair.

Gemma: WaWav! Numna!  WaWav! Numna! Nak! (William! Amelia! William! Amelia!  Snack (eat))) (I'd also like to note this was in the exact tone of voice and cadence I use to call them to dinner every night.

Despite my attempt at getting her out of her high chair and back playing, she isn't having it. It doesn't matter that NOTHING is on the table or even remotely ready to eat. It's time to eat in Gemmaworld.

Gemma: Mama! Noodles!  Bowl!
Mama: We don't have any noodles.  How about a banana?
Gemma: NO! NO NANA!
Gemma: Noodles? Bowl?
Mama: We don't have any noodle, Gemma.  How about some peaches?
Gemma: NO! NO!  Noodles!  Noodles! Bowl!
(this continues for several minutes and she declines cereal, apples, beans, carrots, dip, and cheese.  All the while, I am trying to make dinner for everyone and negotiate with this very illogical toddler.  The longer she sits, the more distraught Gemma becomes until she is crying and declining my food offerings.  Finally, I stumble upon a brilliant idea.)
Mama (to Daddy): Think I can pass off this brown rice as noodles?  It's starchy.
Daddy: Please try - she is SO loud.
Mama: Okay, Gemma.  Noodles in a bowl coming up!
Gemma: (Pauses crying, looks expectantly at me) Noodles?
Mama: Yes! Do you want noodles?
Gemma: Yeah.
Mama: Should I put your noodles in a red bowl?
Gemma: NO! NO! Pi bowl (pink bowl)
Mama: A pink bowl?
Gemma: Yeah.
Mama: We don't have a pink bowl.  How about yellow?
Gemma: No.  No. Pi bowl.
Mama: Uh oh.  How about a white bowl?
Gemma: NO! NO!  Pi bowl. Pi bowl.
Mama (to Daddy): What now?  We don't have a pink bowl.
Mama (to Gemma): How about an orange bowl?
Gemma: NO! Yes.  Yes.  Noodles.  Or bowl.

So I gave her the rice in the orange bowl and she didn't eat a bite.  None.  But, at least she was quieter while she threw it all on the floor.