Finally Talking!?

When I took Alyssa to her 2 year checkup a few weeks ago, the doctor asked me if she was talking yet. I responded, "You know my kids, they take their time..." He asked me if she had at least 20 words. I told him that I was not sure, but probably around 10-15. Well in the past few weeks her language has definitely increased. She is talking so much more (for my kids) and is definitely communicating with us and expressing herself a little (although some of it is Alyssa talk, and not understandable).

Anyway, Alyssa's teachers love her. They tell me how cute she is and how she plays with all the kids and has so much fun doing all the activities. So imagine my surprise at conferences when they tell me that Alyssa does not talk at school. Not only does she not say a word, she does not make a sound..... nothing. Not to them and not to the other kids. I had no idea. I was totally shocked. I know that she is shy in front of my extended family and they never hear her talk, but school is the one place I leave her I thought for sure she felt comfortable and spoke there!!!! After the conference, I walked out of the room and they closed the door. Immediately Alyssa started saying "mommy, ball" and pointed to a football on top of the cubbies. I went into the baby gym so she could eat lunch and play a little and told the other moms about Alyssa's apparent muteness at school. They were like, "I've heard Alyssa talk." And they have. She is always babbling... or so I thought. I mean, she must say "Mommy" at least 100 times a day. And lately it's "Mommy, look." One mom said that she read in an article about children that have selective muteness, and maybe she only feels comfortable around her immediate family. Maybe that is so, but I have officially made it my top priority to get her to talk at school.

On another note, I'm not sure if I have blogged about it but Alyssa has been slightly insane about this ugly purple flower jacket that is a million years old (from Jessica). She would not wear any other coat even when it was freezing out. And trust me it is not at all warm. Well, her teacher told me that she is way too cold outside and must wear a winter coat. I told her that she has a pink one but won't wear it. She said to just bring it in. Easier said than done. Alyssa will not come near me when I hold the coat. She screams until I put it back in the closet. I decided that she only likes purple and that is why she only wants that little jacket. So yesterday afternoon I took all the kids to the mall to find a purple jacket for Alyssa. We found one pretty quickly, showed her how she looked in the mirror and she was so happy! I told her that she has a new pretty coat and she said "ooh" and called it "blue." Close enough. At least she liked it.

She happily put on her "blue" coat today and showed it to her teachers.

Success!!!

I guess purple is the new black.