5-7-02: El began speaking long phrases at around 1 1/2 years old. We've had lots of memorable conversations with her since then. Here are some samples.

March 2002 (2 years, 1 month)

Puopuo: "Neh neh, did you go poo-poo? Do you want me to change your diaper for you?"

El: "No, leave it there."

May 2002: Mommy drives El to Gong-Gong's house (2 years, 3 months)

El: Look Mommy, look!

Mommy: What do you see there, Eleanor?

El: I see monster!

Mommy: (looks out the car window and sees that El is talking about the lady driving the car next to them.) No, that's not a monster, that's a lady driving a car.

El: (After a brief, and perhaps thoughtful, pause) No, Mommy, it's a monster, okay?

 

June 2002 (2 years, 4 months)

Gong-gong: Eleanor, do you want to go pee-pee?

El: No, I don't go pee-pee anymore.

 

June 26, 2002: Driving home from the market, Mommy drives over a small dip in the road (2 years, 4 months)

El: Be careful Mommy!

Mommy: Okay...

El: Don't ruin the car, Mommy.

July 27, 2002: At the McDonald's playground (2 years 5 months)

July 29, 2002: Driving to the doctor's office (2 years 5 months)

Gong gong, (Pointing to a Mercedes on the road): Eleanor, Gong gong likes that car. When you get older, will you buy that car for me?

El: No, Gong gong buy for Eleanor first.

El, (Pointing to a very old Nissan): Eleanor buy that car for Gong gong, ok?

October 2002

El: Here's a hot dog for you Daddy! (Handing Daddy a plastic hot dog)

Daddy: Oh, the hot dog's too hard!

El: Just pretend!

October 2002: Watching commercials on tv

El: I want that! (repeats this after every single toy commercial she sees)

Mommy: Well, I'll put it on your Christmas list and then when Christmas time comes, Daddy and Mommy will pick a few things from the list to buy for you, ok?

El: Ok!

 

(After a few days of the same answer from Mommy):

El: I want that Mulan Barbie!

Mommy: We'll put it on your Christmas list, ok?

El: No! I don't want to put on my Christmas list, I want to hooooooold it!