21 month, speech and awareness..?

[GinaG3]

My daughter is 21 months and I cannot believe how she acts etc.

We have around 60 words, she can say around 5-7 sentences. I find it amazing the amount her speech has come on in the 6 weeks or so. She has grown up so much, I can barely remember the days of tiny baby in my arm its going so quick. Did anyone else find this? I mean I now even get told to 'come on' and I'm then dragged to wherever she wants me to go. I have a mini adult already. I'm finding it all so fun, trying to copy everything in a funny way. She sings 'birthday to you, birthday to you' about 3 times a day using different people. Cbeebies obviously show too many birthday cards in different intervals.

So tell me, what does your 21 month old get up to? Are they growing up too quick? I find their exploration skills and learning amazing.. What does the 2nd year hold?

[Belle]

Hmm, my son also nearly 21 months but a different story, I wouldn't say 'fun'... of course there are lovely moments, but I'm finding this stage quite trying - big enough to remember things like the ice cream van sells nice tasting stuff (so stands next to it saying 'PEASE'), too young to understand logic ('no it's nearly tea time so you can't have an ice cream today' is understandably not cutting it). Has quite a few words but no sentences, or not really 'seeeeeyoooo' or 'oohdear' is about as close as it gets. Doesn't understand me saying 'if you keep throwing those egg noodles which are ridiculously hard to scrape off the floor you won't get any pudding'. DOES remember what a lollipop is after having one recently.

I know people talk about the terrible twos, and I'm not naive enough to think things will get easier, but what I do look forward to is the communication getting better - so that at least he will understand and respond to me reasonably well, even if he doesn't do what he's told! From what I hear (anecdotally of courses) girls are often more advanced with language and other development?

[GinaG3]

Have heard that too about girls.

Boy don't we get all the above stuff you mentioned too. Tantrums at the first sign of the word 'NO'. Not listening to us when we try to tell her the 'exploring' she is doing at that very second is dangerous! Her dinner plate literally just being put down in front of her and hearing 'detchup detchup' or point blank refusal to eat.

Its hard work, I am finding it rather stressful at some points mainly the not listening though it has to be said. But the learning to talk and acting little things out with her toys is so brilliant to watch. When you hold them as babies you think its going to take ages to get to that stage but its all going so fast. It needs to slowww down a little so I can enjoy it a bit more.

[The Nappy Lady]

Gina,

I so know what you mean...I've loved this age with both of mine (youngest turned 2 last weekend). Both times I've been amazed by the way that you see the accelarated learning...from them having just a few words (and being able to keep count of how many), so them seeming to learn several new ones every day, and of course completely losing track.

There are moments when it is a bit like having a mini (and female) Norman Wisdom in the house when our little one is in the best of moods and really out to make us laugh, she is just so funny. I love her funny little phrases, sense of humour and determination ....well I love the determination most of the time.....

However, we have the bad times too, yesterday from post nap time - 2pm ish until bed time was really awful and I was almost a sobbing wreck by the time my hubby got home...how can one small person do that to me?

It is a fab age though, and I think that it is when a lot of fathers start to really see their children in a whole new light, and really enjoy them, because they become so interactive.

Belle - it is very common for boys to be behind on speech but ahead on physical stuff at this age, don't worry about it, they all end up pretty much in the same place by the time they start school. I think it makes it tougher of course from the parenting point of view because they are going to be frustrated at not being able to express themselves, but on the positive side, they can't argue with you yet!

[Belle]

That's so true re fathers and the way it changes things for them - definitely see a difference in the way my husband and son interact now, of course he was a fond dad before, but it's a new dynamic now. V interesting.

[The Nappy Lady]

My hubby would buy them off the shelf at 2 years old if he could! Not me though, I love newborns.

[snowboarder]

Have kept thinking about this thread this week. We're not having fun yet at 18m - maybe 3m makes a big difference but I'm learning not to count on it. Communication still v limited (although he can say 'Noooo' A LOT). NL I'm with your hubby - 2 yrs sounds good - this bit is particularly trying. What with cutting about 6 teeth all at once (I know this because he screamed through most of this mornings swim lesson and I got a good view) and him not wanting to do ANYTHING I ask I'm near to pushing us both under the no. 40 bus.....

[sharls]

Snowboarder it does get easier. My oldest is 3 now and the youngest is 21 months. All I can say is enjoy it as it goes so very quickly and before you know it they are 3. The 2 or 3 months does make a difference so hold in there!

[cuppa tea]

Hate to say this, but I'm finding age 3 the hardest of the lot so far! Though it could simply be the personality of the little chap. And he has a fairly new sibling. He knows his own mind that's for sure. He can now formulate 20 thousand reasons why he shouldn't do something. He just says "no" with more words and conviction...Plus I can't just pick him up. He's bigger, faster and a force to be reckoned with.

[snowboarder]

Gulp. Yes think at end of day it is all about personality. Oh crap.

[GinaG3]

SB, My daughter just leapt with her development between 18m and 21m. Its like you blink and they are months older, or as least acting it. At 18m she was trying to say things but they weren't all too clear to understand, more signaling and pointing at things really. Now it is just extraordinary, she doesn't seem the same girl at all. We even count to 10 now albeit with help. It is really nice to see them grow up, but I do understand it can be very trying. Last night we had a 2 hour tantrum, and I mean tantrum because she just wanted to stand in the corner of the kitchen all night.. What's that about?! We had 4 teeth at once also about 3 months ago, that was a very impatient time. She seemed to moan, groan, scream and tantrum at everything but it only last 2 weeks or so (it isn't as long as it sounds, honest!)

Try to enjoy as best you can, time really does fly and before you know it they will be teenagers and you'll wonder where all that time went..

I'm possibly mad for wanting to give her a little brother or sister already.