Thursday, March 5, 2009

Fun with fudgables

When your first child has a language delay, you really don't have a great reference for language development for your second one.

Rylan is a bigmouth.
I'm glad that he has such an extensive vocabulary (he taught me what a combine harvester was), but I have to admit- when I see this itty bitty guy talking, I not only find it hysterical, but also a bit creepy.

And good luck with interpreting his needs.
Rylan speaks pretty clearly, his articulation is spot on for a two year old.
It's his words he chooses.
Case in point:

I arrive home to a tearful two year old.
I look at his Dad who gives me that look-
He doesn't know either.

The little red faced one stops crying the minute he sees me.
He runs up to me and says...
"Fudgable."

"Wha...?
"Fudgable!"
"Fudgable? I'm not quite sure I know what that is..."
"Mah-mee! I want fudgable!"
He starts crying again.

He looks to Companion, who meets him with a firm "after dinner".
Like a pro.
Shit on a turkey leg.
Dad didn't give in, which means there is no way I can cave.

Snotty McGillacutty runs back to me, sobbing.
"Fudgable, fudgable, fudgable! Maaaaah-meeeee!"

Ohmigod...what is he saying?
What the crap is a flippin' fudgable?
Vegetable?
No.
Fudgesicle?
No.
Popsicle?
No.
Argh! I would pay a hefty ransom for a freakin fudgable!
Why can't I connect the dots?!?

He looks pathetic, big tears streaming down his red face, glazed in snot...
He obviously realizes there is no way he is getting his coveted fudgable.
You can see his frustration as he searches for a Plan B.

Just then, the tears stop almost as suddenly as they started.
He cracks a small grin and there is a sparkle in his eye.

"I want... a cookie!"

Um...after dinner?

As a side note, "fudgable" turned out to be fruit snacks.
Go figure.

4 comments:

mama edge said...

I think Rylan's messing with your mind. Maybe you should fight fire with fire: Demand that he "horvarth" on his "smirdlack", or suggest that your "wumpuroo" is ready for "sissississifluing" whenever he is.

Fudgable!

Liz said...

I was feeling pretty smug because I was thinking, "duh! He means a "fudgesicle!" Then I read further and found out you'd thought of that...

Food is always front and center around here. (I suspect it's that way in many homes where autism is.) I have a great new book that gives TONS of information on all the various autism diets (more than just GFCF!), and why food is so important, etc. It's called Nourishing Hope for Autism and is just a great reference for figuring out which diet is for your child, understanding supplements, improving your child's environment and understanding body systems in simple language.

Obviously, I love to tell people about it, too!

Jodi said...

That reminds me of our Hankenstein episode which turned out to be tortillas.

Jake Dillon said...

Yah, my almost 5 year old has a severe speech delay and I am still translating.

Articulation is getting better but it is still almost impossible to understand him sometimes.

Fruit snacks? That's when you think about keeping them "in reach" so they can help themselves.

Keep on, keepin' on.