I keep trying to compile some sort of vocab list enumerating all the new words Stella is picking up and using on a regular basis. For some reason, however, I have not been able to really get the ball rolling. Then, all of a sudden it hit me. Recouningt what she is saying is only half of it. I mean come on, after the first few words it starts getting a little rediculous to maintain an ever growing vocabulary list of each and every new word. When does it stop? Flashforward 13 years: “Oh, honey look she just used “paradoxically” in a sentence for the first time — quick! get the list!” The reality, I have realized is that the real humor is in how she says it.

The bizzare emphasis on the ‘H’ in white; the way she says ‘yeah’ with a climbing pitch that then drops off quickly at the end; the way she drops the second syllable off words like ‘open’ and ‘blueberry’ — shortening them to ‘oap’ and ‘boooo’; the way she can mutilate a word and look at you like you are crazy for not understanding what she is saying: “ohhhh, I get it! Not oaaaaam, you mean worm!” [She is fascinated by them, by the way.]; the way she bellows ‘beeeeee’ while wiping her hand across her chest (we still haven’t managed to get her to actually say ‘thank you’ yet — she’ll only sign it).

And to think, in no time at all ‘yerow’ will be a crystal clear ‘yellow,’ and ‘noona’ will be a perfectly articulated ‘noodle’ and yes, for all of you who are wondering, we are still working alligator.