Repetition, Repetition, Repetition, ...

Understandably, being 20-months old must be frustrating ... on so many levels. Being the mama on the receiving end of much verbal repetition from said 20-month is equally frustrating and dare I say a little annoying. I'd use the "broken record" analogy, but ... well, that would just make me seem ancient!

Anyway, it seems NHV can't say anything just once. And in most cases, she is definitely holding out for a reaction, response, acknowledgement ... of some sort. Here's a little sampling of the thoughts I imagine in her cute little head and the onslaught of repetitions I endure:

• I'm bored. Don't want to read another book or pretend cook or color on scraps of paper. "Elmo. Elmo. Elmo. Elmo." (The appropriate response on my part would be to push play on the DVD player. The girl is addicted to that furry little red monster!)
• I'm feeling kind of lazy and/or a little neglected, and I'm not really sure what I want, I just know I don't have "it" yet, "Uh. Uh. Uh. Uh." (I've gotta dig deep to find patience for this one.)
  Hey, I bet I could see some cool stuff up there; the view down here is so two minutes ago, "Up. Up. Up. Up."
• It's so nice to be outside, taking a walk, just hanging out in my stroller while mom does all the work ... oh, hey there's a, "Bus. Bus. Bus. Bus. Bus. Bus." (No kidding. She said, "bus" at least 50 times today. And if I didn't reply, "Yes, Natalie, you're right. That is a bus," she would just keep repeating it!)
• Let's see, it's been like 20 minutes since lunch ... and I could eat Puffs all day long, "Hunree. Hunree. Hunree."
• Zzzzzzzz. Hmmmm. It sure is quiet around here. I bet mom is sleeping, but she'd much rather be hanging out with me, "Rawk-me. Rawk-me. Rawk-me." (For the most part she's right, I'd give up a good night's sleep for a few minutes of rocking anytime ... especially when I remind myself that there will come a day when she won't ask ... and I'll miss it.)