The "Dog" I'll Never Forget

Dear Elliot,
Tonight started out like any other night. You were taking a bath after making a mess of yourself during dinner--splashing around, chewing on your toys, the usual. Then you started looking through the new bath book your Auntie Katie got you, got to the Dalmatian page, held it up and said "Dog!"

It actually sounded more like "Doug", but it was very clearly a "D" sound followed by a "G" sound. It was definitely not one of your usual babble words. I started freaking out and said "Andy! He just said dog!" Dad pointed to the Dalmatian and said, "what's this?" You again said "dog!" You said it a few more times. Then I ran downstairs to get my phone to get it on video, but of course, by the time I got back upstairs, you had lost interest and moved on to trying to pull the cap off a bottle of shampoo.

But oh my gosh! You said "dog!" You already say "mama" and "dada" and sort of "book" ("buh") and "this" ("iss") but this is your first no-denying it word besides the standard Mom and Dad. I can't really describe the thrill of this moment! I definitely teared up a bit.

I've said it before (and I'm sure I'll say it again), but this is really the best stage yet. I love watching so many things "click" and come together. I love watching you turn into such a special little person.

I can't wait to see what your next word will be--if you're going in order of things you love, it will probably be some type of food, or maybe "computer cord!"

I love you so much,

Mom