Mason's 1st Word

Mason and Ethan have both been saying "dada" and "mama" for quite a while now, but I don't really consider those to be first words because pretty much every baby says those first - especially "dada"!. They have also been saying "hi" for a while which sounds like "Hi-ya" But I don't really count greetings either. (Apparently I have high expectations).

What we have been holding out for is an actual word for an object. We have been wondering what that object would be that would make them so excited that they would want to call it by its name.

Mason is quite a "talker" making all kinds of sounds in every range of quiet and extremely loud. He says "giggle" very clearly and has for quite a long time (but again, not counting it as a first word since he doesn't know what a giggle really is). Lately when I sing Old MacDonald and get to the "E-I-E-I-O" part - he actually says "E-I-E-I-E-I.."

But this weekend he mastered his first real word...

COOKIE

At our next doctor's visit I'll have to keep that one to myself or they will think we are feeding these kids junk all the time. I promise we aren't! But we do offer them the occasional animal cracker or vanilla wafer after dinner and we call both of them cookies, so Mason has started saying the word...over...and over...and over again when he gets a cookie. Tonight Brett pulled out the box of vanilla wafers and Mason instantly said "COOKIE!" (although the way he says it is "COOK-EE" - two very distinct syllables. In truth, he spends more time saying the word cookie, as he stares adoringly at his cookie, then he does actually eating the cookie. You can tell how proud he is of himself for being able to say it.

So of course our boy who loved his Cookie Monster teether, chooses cookie to be his first word. Appropriate I think.

Mason also followed this up by saying "ball" a few times this weekend as well, so we'll see if that one sticks too.

Now we just wait and listen to hear what Ethan's first word will be. He is a much bigger fan of using sign language, so he might take his time in this area. He does like to take the toy phone and anything really (including his straw cup, his toothbrush, his small stuffed monkey...)and pretend it's a telephone and tries to say "hello" into it. Mason enjoys this game as well. It's fun, you should try it sometime. :)

I guess we have to start watching what we say around here... And watch out for the first embarrassing thing they say in public...

Let the games begin! :)