Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Books, Books, Books!

On Sunday, I met The Burgh Baby's Mom, live and in person! It was kind of like meeting a star from one of your favorite reality shows, and discovering that wow, they really are that cool. Hopefully, I will meet the REAL star of the show, Alexis, sometime soon, because I just know she's even cooler.

After that, I met Jim and Dylan over at my mother and father in law's. Dylan went around to each person, having them read one particular book they have, over and over and over. We were all commenting that we will need to get that book for home, since he apparently loves it so much. What we didn't realize at the time, was that he was actually entering a new stage - The Book Obsession Stage. I told you before that he loves books, but this is different. Before, he was perfectly content to listen to us read whatever books we happened to choose that day, before naps and bedtime. He might go over periodically throughout the day, and look through some books on his own. Not anymore.

The Book Obsession Stage involves me reading the SAME one or two books to him over and over ALL THE DING DONG DAY. Sunday evening I had a horrible dream which woke me up at 4am, and I couldn't get back to sleep. Monday, Dylan's book of choice was called "Sleepy Dog", a wonderful book with a photo of a different dog on each page sleeping peacefully. Each page has one word - Sleep, Cozy, Yawn, Nestle, Dream. After about, oh, the 30th read, I was curled up like a dog on the floor, and after yawning and nestling into the cozy boppy pillow, I fell asleep.

Wait, I forgot to explain one of the special features of The Book Obsession Stage - the lap sit. He must have a lap to sit on, in order to read the day's book of choice. If I am standing, he will pull at me to get into the approved position. If I am on the floor in any position, he will do the lap sit, on whatever part of my body he can, until I get into the approved position. A 24lb kid doing the lap sit on your rib cage hurts, folks! Don't even get me started about the other areas he shouldn't have sat on (good thing I don't plan to have more children). So, when I fell asleep on the floor, it went something like this... "Mmmm.." Pitter patter, Plop, "Ummpphh! OWWWW! DYLAN!!", giggles.

If this keeps up, I'll probably be doing lots of book review posts! Dylan really hasn't said many words yet. He mostly just says, "Da-da". Sometimes maybe I'll be lucky enough to hear "ma-ma", and he says "Yeth", which in Dylan speak, means "Yes". Other than that, just babbling, laughs, cries, and giggles. I think this new obsession is a process he is going through, collecting as many words as he can, in preparation for talking. I have the feeling Dylan will be one of those kids who talks late, but goes right to full sentences. He will say, "I say, Mommy, might I partaketh in a plate of asparagus, please?" (or, you know, something like that). Yea, because he apparently likes asparagus! Since I think asparagus is perhaps the most disgusting vegetable on the planet, I'm not sure how it even found its way into our house, but I opened the freezer tonight and there it was. I certainly don't expect him to agree with me ALL the time. But, hey Dylan, could we maybe read a different book tomorrow? Maybe I could even pick it?

12 comments:

Pam said...

Oh, you are such a good, tired mommy! I KNOW how hard it is to read to same book over and over. But you are doing so much for his language skill. And, you are setting the stage for all the he needs to learn in school. He will understand books, the process of books and reading, the idea that words have meaning, the structure of a story, - oh sorry, I went all teacher on you! Anyway, keep up the good work Mommy and Dylan!

Hope you can read something other then the Sleep Dog tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

Oh, the days of reading the same friggin book over and over...

Really, enjoy it. This is a special time and it will be gone before you know it. Ok, I just depressed myself...sorry!

Burgh Baby said...

She is most certainly cooler than me. No doubt about it.

There is an advantage to the stuck on one book phase--at some point he will start talking up a storm and he will know the words to that book. You will no longer be required to read it, but rather to listen intently as he reads it (DO NOT FALL ASLEEP during this phase, it does not end well). I much prefer Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed when I don't have to actually pay attention to it.

Anonymous said...

Ah, yes. The Book Obsession. I remember it well!! It's hard, but soooo worth it. Because if you foster your child's love for books at this early age, it will set them up with a love & respect for literature for the rest of their life! And if you read to them now, that will continue. My 5 1/2-year-old went through a MAJOR book obsession stage and he is doing SO well in reading at school. So keep up the fantastic work!!

JCK said...

He's definitely on his way to talking with all that repetition. Unfortunately, you have to pay for it... Hope you catch some sleep without the sudden pounces.

Janet said...

Ah yes. William's favorite book is Go, Dog Go. I once read it 9 times in one night. Thought I would slit my wrists before I was finished. We still have to read it every day, but he's content with a routine of that one, Guess How Much I Love You, and a story out of the Winnie the pooh book. We read one chapter each night and then start over eventually.
Mary Margaret is the same way. Her current favorite is Bartholomew and the Oobleck, which she reads back to us now. I don't know if she's reading or has it memorized - it's awfully long either way.

Elsie Button said...

oh yes, the same book over and over! my goodness me. with us it's Mucky Duck - and Betty is so so so close to saying 'duck' - she tries so hard bless her. Books are great - i cannot wait until we sit together and she actually knows what is being said and is captivated by the story - magic!

Joanna said...

Oh, I remember that stage shudder! We got stuck on Green Eggs and Ham. It got so bad that one time my husband changed the words and it was so funny I just sat there and laughed until I cried. Too bad I can't remember any of the words now.

My boys all talked late and once they started I wished they would stop. I zoned out from all the talking that I think it effected my memory.
What we're we talking about? ;)

Kellan said...

I love asparagus too!! And, a lap to sit on is always a nice thing!!

Cool that you got to meet Burgh Baby's Mom - very cool!

Hope your computer issues get straightened out - nice to see you, I've missed you. Have a good weekend. Kellan

Kellan said...

I love asparagus too!! And, a lap to sit on is always a nice thing!!

Cool that you got to meet Burgh Baby's Mom - very cool!

Hope your computer issues get straightened out - nice to see you, I've missed you. Have a good weekend. Kellan

Shellie said...

Only my daughter did this to me. I would have to read and read and read. The others I have to beg to let me read to them. Reminded me of the movie Baby's Day Out, have you seen it?

JCK said...

Sorry you're having computer snafus! Looking forward to having you back writing and also your funny self on my comments - which I always look forward to.