Baby Talk

It has been pointed out to me that with 13 kids, I should have plenty to write about, and I suppose that's true, except for the fact that I really do love my kids, and my sole purpose on earth is not to embarrass them.  Or myself, for that matter.

I exaggerate.  My kids are really pretty wonderful, and I can tell PLENTY of stories showing just how wonderful they are.

It really amazes me how so many children with the same two parents can be so very different from each other.  People say that they all have physical similarities, but I guess because I live with them, all I see are their differences.

When they were each learning to talk, more or less around a year old, they ALL (yes all 13 of them) said "Da-da" for their first words.  (Actually their first words were all "MOM!" But it sounded just like "FOOD!" or "DIAPER!" or "SCARED!" Which all sound like "WAAAAA!")

What is wonderfully interesting is what word (or words) each child has learned to say second.  Their second words have all been different.  I'm sure this list will be fascinating to all of you, especially those who've never even met my kids. 

James: thank you
Catherine: baby
Thomas: eat
Henry: scotch (the drink, not the tape)
Luke: kiss
Monica: Monica (yes, she said her OWN name)
Maria: ma-ma (Hooray!! My favorite child! And yes, I did coach her--a lot.)
Lydia: dog
Sophia: James (and won her eldest brother's heart forever)
Philip: this? (said as a question, while pointing to something for which he wanted to learn the word)
Albert: Desitin (poor kid's behind was VERY familiar with this stuff, so he heard that word a ton)
Stephen Jr.: don't touch (ahem)
Martha: gentle

These words do actually say something about each of their personalities, but I will talk about each child individually over the next....13 posts!  (Now I don't have to come up with another topic for two weeks!)