The Talens' Tales

Mom: Mataya! You are 11 month old today! Can you believe it? Only one more month until you are 1! M(ataya): It is a pretty exciting time of life. See all of the fun things I can do? Mom: I know, you are doing so many things. What are some of the new things you can do? M: I can stand by things and I really like standing. But sometimes I have a really hard time getting down. I am very good at scooting around, but I am testing out this whole crawling on hands and knees thing. It might have some merit. Mom: It is so fun to see you learning new things everyday and explore the world around you. What about food? M: I really like to eat, Mom. I like to eat whatever you are eating. I really like things that are small like peas, cheerios and small piece of paper. What is that mom? Paper is not a food? Are you sure about that? Anyway, my most favorite thing in the world is yogurt. I could eat that stuff all day long, mom. And my bottle, I can take it or leave it. But cow's milk ...

Mom: Hi Mataya!  You are 4 months old already! M(ataya): I know! I am so excited about that! Mom: I can tell. You certainly do love to smile. And you have a very lovely smile too. M: Thanks, mom.  Mom: So, what is new in your world? M: Not to much really. I am growing. I am rolling both ways now. I love my brother. I like to be in the swing in nursery. It is nice to take a nap then. Mom: I am glad you take a nap then too. You are much happier the rest of the day if that happens.  M: I think it is safe to say I am a morning person right now. Mom: I would agree. You are so happy and content in the morning. But by about 5 pm, you have had it for the day. Anything else that you like to do? M: I like to spin the rattle on the exersaucer. It doesn't scare me any more like it used to. Mom: Well, I think it might be getting close to time for a nap. Are you ready for that? M: You bet mom. I don't mind going to my bed most of the time now. Sleep is usuall...

Mom: Well, Mataya, you have been three months for a little while now, but we still haven't done your interview. Now that the computer is fixed, let's do it! M(ataya): Sounds good! Mom: So what is new Mataya? M: Lots of things are new, mom. Where should I start?  Mom: Well, what new things have you tried? M: I have tried the exersaucer, which is a lot of fun. I have also tried rolling. I worked really hard on it for a week, mastered it, and now I am pretty content to be on my back again. But, I am sure glad my arms are free from my swaddle now. It helps me take better naps.  Mom: I can tell. While it may take you a bit to fall asleep for you nap, once you are asleep, you usually take a nice long nap. What else do you like to do? M: I like to play on my gym and hang on to the legs of the monster and frog that dangle from it. I also like to watch my brother and smile and coo at him. And I really like to smile for my dad. I really like him. Mom: I know. I ...

 Mom: Mataya, you are 2 months old today! M(ataya): I know Mom! Time goes by so quickly. Mom: You're telling me. And you are growing and changing so much. Tell me a little about what you like to do.  M: Well, I like to eat, sleep and I have started to coo and smile. I like the reactions I get from people when I coo and smile at them. Mom: It makes everyone to happy to see that nice little smile and hear the sound of your cute voice. M: I also really like watching my brother. But he is a little crazy sometimes, mom. I have to keep turning my head to watch him.  Mom: I know, he is full of energy. How is sleeping going? M: I like to sleep. Right now I like to nap swaddled up really tight and I like to nap in my swing. At night I like to be in my bed and I usually want to see you one time during the night mom, just to make sure you are there. Mom: And I don't mind that at all, Mataya. M: I also like to be on my tummy quite a bit. It feels good and I can...

Mom: Mataya, you are one month old today! Can you believe you have been here for one month already! M(ataya): It seems like it has take my whole life to get to this day! Mom: Well, first of all, what is going on with this hair? M: Don't you like it mom? It always sticks straight up on top.  Mom: I know. If there were more of it, I could put it in a little ponytail already. How do you spend your day? M: Well, I eat and then sometimes stay awake for a little bit. Then I usually get tired and should take a nap. But it is hard to nap. There is so much stuff happening in the house and  I don't want to  miss it. Mom: I know, but you need your sleep too. What things do you like to do while you are awake? M: I like my swing sometimes and I like laying on my gym. But mostly, I like looking at my brother. He gets so excited when I make any sort of noise or touch anything on my gym. He is funny and if I knew how to smile, I would smile at him a lot. Mom: He is a ...

 M(om): Hi Joash. We have had a busy day today and we will tell everyone about it later. But right now, it is time for your monthly interview because you are 22 months old today! J(oash): I will smile nicely for the picture, Mom, now that I know to say "cheese." I still really like cheese. Can I have some cheese to eat? M: Not right now. First can you tell us about how things are going? J: Well, I am getting some more teeth, so that is throwing off my appetite and my sleeping a little bit. I really don't want to eat supper any more, though I will sometime lick something if it looks good. That is what dogs do with their tongues when they eat. I also like to copy you and dad quite a bit. Like when dad stretches, I like to stretch too. And I like to repeat that last words you and Dad say. M: I know that Joash. That means we need to make sure we are teaching you good stuff. What do you like to play with lately?  J: I love my tractors, especially when they are ho...

M(om): Hi Joash! I haven't seem much of you this week, since I have been busy at VBS and you have been spending your mornings at the farm. How are you doing? J(oash): I am doing great Mom! I really like to go to Opa's house, but I am still a bit sad when you leave. But, we have lots of fun M: I am glad Joash. What can you do now that you are 21 months? J:Well, I can say even more words and I like to string two word phrases together. Today I said, "Joash nap" at nap time, which really seem to surprise you, mom.  M: It was surprising. Not everyone goes down for a nap so well. Anything else? J: I also like to repeat things that people say to me. I learn so many new words this way and people always seem to smile when I do it. M: That is because it is so nice to hear you say such nice things. What do you like to play with now? The concentration face.  J: I still really like my books, tractors and trucks. I have a new loader. My new favorite thing to do...

 M(om): Hello my 20 month old boy! How are you today? J(oash): I am pretty good mom. There sure is a lot of excitement and things happening aren't there? M: Yes there is Joash. We have been busy with your Tante Reina's prom and graduation and now we are busy getting ready for the weddings this summer. Plus the farm and the garden need to be taken care of. But, what have you been up to? J: I have been busy too learning new words and how to do different things, like ride nicely in a wagon for the wedding.  M: You have an important role in the wedding and I know that you will do great. What things do you say now? J: Oh all sorts of things. I know lots of words like "milk truck," "grape" and "calf." I sometimes can put to words together and say things like "more juice" at snack time or "other baby" when playing with the dolls. M: It is fun to hear you talk. What else is new? J: I am pretty good at running and I like...

 M(om): Whoa! Joash you are way past your 19 month birthday! J(oash): I know Mom. And you are really late doing your interview. Here is a cheesy smile with my eyes closed. M: Umm... thanks. That seems to be about the only sort of picture I can take of you these days. And I know I am late with the interview, but we moved and then didn't have the internet for a while.  J: I know mom, so lets do it now. What would like to know? M: How do you like your new house? J: It is great. I love being so close to the farm and Opa and the tractors. I like seeing everything that goes down the road. It is fun to have a new house and yard to explore. M: What other things do you like to do? J: Well, I also like watching the birds out the window. But why do they always fly away when I walk up to them? M:  You are a lot bigger, Joash. J: I also have 10 teeth now, with more on the way and I am getting good at running. I am having a bit of a tough time  falling asleep...

 M(om): Joash, can you believe it? J(oash): Believe what Mom? M: You are 18 months old already! 1 1/2 years old! What a big boy you are! J: Thanks Mom! I like being a big boy. I like it when you let me sit next to you on the couch or put me in a chair by myself. I like that I can run around outside and pick up lots of fun things like rocks and pine cones. M: It is fun to see all of the different things you do everyday. What else do you like to do? J: Oh, the same things as always, really. But now I really like to push my trucks and tractors. I like to push them back and forth with you. And I like to put my animals in the barn and say the sounds they make. I also like to point out things on pictures, including people like Oma and Opa. M: Any new things you can do? J: I can go down the stairs by myself now. And I sometimes like to give you a hug and a kiss. M: That is really nice. What new words can you say? J: A lot of them. Oma, Opa, apple, bath, bed, wall, wo...

M(om): Joash, do you know what time it is? J(oash): Time for some cheese? M: No Joash. It is time for another interview. You are 17 months old already. J: I know Mom. I have been 17 months for a week now. Why didn't you do this interview earlier? M: We were at the farm and it is just easier to do it when we are at our house. So, how is life? J: It is good, especially now that I am starting to feel better. M: I know Joash, we were both not feeling well for a while. I will be glad when this is behind us. What things are new in your life? J: Well, I like that you are finally starting to understand me when I say a few words. Now you know when I want bread, see a clock or a ball, and I can say bye. M: It is fun to hear you speak a little, though I don't think many other people other than your dad and I could understand you. What other things do you like to do? J: Well, I still love to read books and go to the library. I also like pointing out all sorts of thin...

M(om): Joash, can you stop what you are doing for a little bit and talk to me? J(oash): I guess so, mom. But there are so many things I like to do! M(om): I know Joash. Why don't you tell me about some of those things?  J: Well, I really like to play with my toys and read books. I think it is really fun to make you read the same book a whole bunch of times in a row and then when Dad comes home, have him read that book too. I like to take every single toy out and toss it on the floor. I also really like it when you take the cushions off of the couch. And now that I can walk and stand, I like to find all of this cool stuff that you put on the tall shelves. I just wish I could see out the windows easier.  M: You are very good at keeping Mom busy. How are you physically? J: Well, I am growing and I have 5 teeth (still) the sixth one is there, but it doesn't want to come out yet. I can show you were my eyes, ears, nose, hair, mouth, belly, toes and hands are. Would you lik...

 M(om): Can you believe it Joash? You are 15 months old! Where did the time go? J(oash): I know Mom. Hey, why didn't you interview me last month? M: Well, we were in Michigan and it was Christmas day and by the time I remembered and had a chance to get around to it, we were not that far away from today. So, I thought I would just do it all in one. So, what is new with you? J: Well, the biggest thing is I am walking. I really like getting around by myself and being able to carry things with me. M: You are getting very good at walking. What are your favorite things to play with? J: Well, I still really like my books. I am so glad you started to sell Usborne books! I like listening to all of the new stories. I also like my ball, tractors, barn and the animals. One of my favorite things to do is to put things inside of the fence by my barn. I like to put as many animals in as possible. I also like the Weeble house that I got for Christmas. I also love splashing in the tub! ...