What with Miss M’s possible health concerns I have become more watchful than usual of my smallest girl. The few niggles I already have, which before this I put down to her being 4, have become firm nudges, an avid finger of doubt in my ribs that has me questioning every little thing. Like the fact that I’ve been wondering lately if we should get her hearing checked as on occasion she seems completely oblivious to my requests, questions, warnings, conversations.
Tonight as I lay beside her reading ‘The Little Princess and the New Shoes’, and ‘Melrose and Croc’ I decide to test her aural abilities. I whisper her name to see if she will turn to look at me, but her eyes remain steadfast on the page. I think for a moment then put my hand on hers ,
Me: ”M, I’m going to say a word and I want you to say it back to me ok?”
Her eyes alight at the prospect of a game and she grins and nods while rubbing her small hands together.
I begin.
Me: ”Cat.”
Miss M: ”Cat.”
Me: ”Monkey.”
Miss M: ”Monkey.”
Me: ”House.”
Miss M: ”House.”
Me: ”Tree.”
Miss M: ”Tree.
Me: ”Turtle.”
Miss M:….(pause)……”Wabbit.”
I turn and look into her eyes, a broad grin escaping my face.
Me: ”Rabbit? You made that up.”
She nods and giggles, and though I laugh with her, that overconcerned bystander is whispering in my ear, ‘She didn’t hear, she didn’t hear.’
She continues to giggle and watch my face, and then…
Miss M: ”Turtle.”
I open my eyes and mouth wide and breath in, a gasp.
Me: ”Did you make a joke?”
She mimicks my mock horror then throws her head back on the pillow and roars with giddy laughter.
Miss M: ”Yes. Hee hee. Hee hee.”
And this time I laugh with her, relief adding to the chuckles that seem to take an age to die down as she repeats “wabbit” and “turtle” at random intervals and giggles helplessly at her own ability to crack a funny.
I think that the wabbit and the turtle might just keep me going until next week. Sighhhhhh. She actually made a joke that was funny, instead of the ones that are funny because they are so not funny. You know,
Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Bum bum.
So I’m having this as a ‘proud Mummy moment’ Ok? Because while I want my kids to have many things in this life to get through the tough times, a sense of humour is pretty near the top of the list.
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March 4th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
The little darling! Hee hee…I love to watch their sense of humour blossom – it’s a beautiful thing!
March 4th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
I like the turtle picture you posted. He has a fuzzy shell! Reminds me of the Easter turtle who will be coming around next month to drop off eggs and chocolates to good little children
Seriously though, Jo, I do hope everything turns out just fine. My prayers are still with you.
March 4th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Very cute. What a precious moment to gleen a little bit of reassurance too. No doubt Miss M will be making her fortune at the Comedy Store in the years to come and you will be watching with pride, telling everyone who will listen, ‘I knew her sense of humour would get her far from as young as 4….let me tell you the one about Turtle and Wabbit…’
March 4th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I am sending all my good vibes your way, Jo. In the meantime, I am trying not to jinx anything by mentioning all sorts of things and asking all sorts of questions.
March 5th, 2009 at 12:15 am
I totally agree. A sense of humor is the BESTEST thing EVER!
I’m glad you got some good old fashioned giggly love in with your miss M tonight. 
THAT is a wonderful thing.
March 5th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Thinking of you Jo. x
March 5th, 2009 at 2:29 am
Fantastic. You’re right, a sense of humour is essential, and Miss M sounds like she is developing a wicked one.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Glorious!
March 5th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Little ones!! They can be real monkeys at times can’t they!! Miss M sounds like a wonderful example of a perfectly normal 4 year old.
CJ xx
March 5th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Hahahaha!
Glad she can hear – now you know she has that totally normal “selective” hearing!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I said stop worrying .. now I have to wonder if you arent hearing…
xoxo
March 5th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Isn’t it lovely when their sense of humour starts to develop? I’m still sending Reiki honey, try not to worry. x
March 5th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
yay for humor. And I am SO glad she is getting to be seen early. Go with your bad self, Jo. I am continuing to send my positive thoughts in your direction. Hopefully my BAD sense of direction won’t get them lost over the pond…
March 5th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Most of the jokes in our house are of the bum bum willy poo variety. Oh for an actual joke…Your little girl sounds wonderful
March 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Kim it really is isn’t it? It makes me feel all warm and full.
BelleV I love the Easter Turtle. Hopping around with his little basket. Sighhh. And thanks. They’re so precious aren’t they?
Nicola that would be so cool wouldn’t it? Hee hee. I’d be the embarrassing parent.
Finely Tuned Woman thanks for the good vibes my lovely. ANd if you want to send me an email you can ask away.
Corey it is isn’t it. They’re just so sweet and funny at this age.
Thanks Potty. x
Singleparentdad I hope so. Her sister makes me giggle, but it’s the first time Miss M’s actually got me.
Dumdad yes.
Crystal Jigsaw definitely. They’re just so funny.
Sybil yep, they all get that don’t they? So rude. ;D
Daryl I’m trying. I’ll probably want to vomit by Wednesday but I’m out with some girlie mates on Saturday so that will help keep my mind off it.
Thanks Akela. It means a lot.
Mie thanks hon. I’m so relieved we don’t have to wait a month. And I’m sure your positive thoughts will find us. x
Home Office Mum, those are the ones we usually get too, so this one took me by surprise.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
The bum bum joke is the first stage of humour. Jakob Jakobsen’s eleven stages of humour lists it as such. I won’t list all the stages for you, but I will say that Miss M is progressing nicely.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Zerilda you are very wise and I’m sure you’re write my dear.
March 16th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Or ‘right’. Oh my Bob I have gone mad.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:28 am
LOL – hold onto it Jo and you’re right a sense of humour is vital. Problem is, all the jokes that come my way involve wee or poo. Where’s my sense of humour when I am in need of it most.
March 18th, 2009 at 12:36 am
I agree with you completely. My boys growing sense of humor is one of the best things about watching them grow up. They crack me up all the time and now they are starting to be able to do it on purpose.