During her short 28 months of existence, the skill that Ramona has developed far beyond any other is undeniably her ability to talk. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of having this little two-year-old right now is our memorable conversation, some of which I started writing down since last March:
(While I am giving
Ramona bed time cuddles and kisses:)
Ramona: Mommy taste pretty good
Ivy: I taste pretty good?
Ramona: Yeah!
Ivy: What do I taste like?
Ramona: Mmm...applesauce.
Ivy: Applesauce?
Ramona: Ohgurt.
Ivy: Applesauce yogurt?
Ramona: Yeah! Taste pretty Ummy.
(Ramona is trying to put on a pair of mommy's pantyhose)
Ramona: Crocodile eat that.
Ivy: Crocodiles eat pantyhose?
Ramona: (gravely) Yeah.
Ivy: What else do crocodiles eat?
Ramona: Shirts.
Ivy: I didn't know that.
Ramona: Crocodile eat my blankie.
Ivy: Crocodiles eat your blankie? Oh no!
Ramona: What we gonna do?
Ivy: What are we going to do? I don't know.
Ramona: Crocodile far away.
(Yes,
Ramona. Crocodiles live far away. Your blankie should be safe for now.)
(Ramona is on the potty, just having delivered her #2 goods.)
Ramona: I smell them!
Ivy: Do they smell stinky?
Ramona: No.
Ivy: What do they smell like?
Ramona: (smiling) Flowers.
Ivy:
Ramona, what are you doing?
Ramona: Coloring on my leg.
(Sure enough, she is coloring on her leg with a green marker. I appreciate the honesty, dear.)
(Ramona snatches a can opener from a kitchen drawer.)
Ivy: Ramona, that's not very safe. I need you to put that back.
Ramona: Okay. In a few hours.
Ivy: Ramona, do you need a time out?
Ramona: No, I'm fine.
(Upon having an accident on her bed during naptime, as I am stripping the sheets off of her bed)
Ramona: I'm sorry 'bout that. I don't mean to pee on the bed.
Ramona: Crocodile's coming (in a whisper)
Ivy: Is he going to sing?
Ramona: No. He's going to play the piano.
Ramona: I have chipmunks in my shoes (trying to take off her sandals)
Ivy: Do you mean woodchips?
Ramona: (a little sheepishly) Woodchips.
(After passing a dead deer on the side of the road)
Ramona: Was that a deer?
Ivy: Yes, that was a deer.
Ramona: Is he cute?
Ivy: Yes, it's cute.
Ramona: Where's mommy deer?
Ivy: I think that was the mommy deer.
Ramona: Where's daddy deer?
Ivy: I don't know where daddy deer is.
Ramona: (shrugging) I don't know either!
(pause)
Ramona: Is she lying down?
Ivy: Yes, she's lying down.
Ramona: Is she sleeping?
Ivy: Yes, she is.
(At dinnertime)
Ramona: I don't like spinach. I spit it out of my mouth.
Ivy: Someday you'll like spinach.
Ramona: Someday I'll like it. When I'm 22.
About a week ago we went to a friend's wedding in Nauvoo. Before attending, we explained to Ramona that Gavin and Kristen were getting married in the
temple, and that Kristen would be the bride and Gavin would be the groom.
I ended up waiting outside the temple with Ramona during the ceremony. As we walked around the temple grounds, she pointed up at the building and said: "Mommy, I'm going to go in there someday. I'm going to be a bride."
Apparently, she later told Paca that he was going to be the "broom."
You certainly know how to speak your mind, don't you? We love you, Ramona.
and grew,
and grew.
Thank you for giving us an extra fifteen minutes so Daddy didn't have to deliver you in the minivan.
I'm fairly certain that his three greatest fears are spiders, clowns, and the prospect of delivering his own children in automobiles.
After your birth, I sat in awe for quite some time at your complete little frame, disbelieving that you were actually out of the womb.
But more than anything, I felt humbled and grateful to have received such a beautiful gift from heaven.
Your sister Ramona has been anticipating your arrival, too. For a few weeks now she always includes your name when she talks about our family. You two met for the first time today and exchanged gifts in the hospital room. I think you'll be good for each other.
