"I sorry" and THE NOISE

Benj has a thing lately for saying, "I sorry". He says it all the time - even when it isn't necessary. For instance, he falls while walking up the stairs. "Oh, I sorry!" Something drops (not his responsibility) and makes a loud noise. "I sorry!" He slips climbing up the slide. "Uh oh, I sorry!" You get the picture. It's a combination of being really cute and borderline annoying. What have I done to this child to compel him to apologize even when it's not his fault? As with all phases, I'm sure it will pass.

And speaking of passing phases that brings me to... "the noise". I debated whether or not this topic deserved its own post, and you may agree that it does, but for the sake of time I will include it here.

"The noise", although not entirely invented by his cousin Max, was introduced to our family about a year ago. I'd like to think it evolved as a sort of communication when verbal abilities were not yet learned. That's what helps me to sleep at night anyway. Now, imagine if you will the most annoying noise you have ever heard. It is a combination between a loud grunt, scream, and perhaps the sound of someone being tortured. Got a pretty good picture? Now, multiply that by 100 and you have what I affectionately call "the noise". Thankfully, when Max learned to communicate effectively there was a great reduction in "the noise", but unfortunately "the noise" didn't end with Max. In fact it was carried on by Benjamin and can now be heard in our household on most days of the week. And, if we are especially lucky, Benjamin will make "the noise" while Max is within ear shot (but let's face it who isn't) and Max, who is less than pleased by the hideous sound will then join with Benjamin and together they create a grateful chorus of noise making that can only be stopped with threats or bribery - whichever is more appropriate at the time. So if you have had the good fortune to have heard "the noise", and still returned to visit us again, congratulations, you have passed the test. You see, this is how we determine who our true friends are. (wink)