Finian

Finna is a right little chatter-box these days, he even gives Aoife a run for her money. Poor Euey and I sometimes just sit mute staring at the other 3 as they natter away, wondering how they manage to fit so many words into their day.

He has several words ...

Dada

Mama

Nana = banana

Na-naaah = look at me, look at that, what is that?, take this please, I want that and countless other useful phrases.

Nee-oww = the sound a cat makes, he changes the tone to match Sarabi perfectly.

Jeh or Jeh-Jeh = Gen

He also grunts to mean 'yes', growls when he is being scary or is angry at me and makes sounds that very closely resemble words, parrot-fashion.

He can sing Twinkle Twinkle and ABC perfectly in tune. When he sings Twinkle the words are usually da da da, but when he sings ABC a lot of the letters are recognisable, especially aaah, bee cee dee and aaash, eye, shaaa, kaa, la la la la dah.

He can sign:

more - flat hand to chest

milk - one hand grasping in and out

water - one finger pointing to mouth

finished - hand horizontal and waved back and forward

Twinkle Twinkle - 2 hands up and grasping in and out (he makes this sign when he wants us to sing the song as well as when he's singing it, and he also makes a perfect diamond shape as he sings).

He is still the chirpiest soul I've ever met and very independent. He often carries a 'blankie' (muslin baby wrap) around and always takes one to bed. He sucks his thumb. When he's tired he'll plug his thumb in, grab a blankie if one is nearby and climb on someone's lap or lie on the ground. If you ask him does he want to go to bed he grunts yes.

He gives kisses and cuddles freely and plays tricks all the time. He has his Daddy's sense of humour. He takes his little back-pack to childcare and insists on carrying it and walking all the way in. He follows Aoife and Euey around a lot and loves joining in their games. They call him a loony little munchkin (a title inflicted by me I'm afraid) and tell everyone he's the 'craziest' in our family!