Friday, July 31, 2009

First Word!!!

Gwyneth said her first word last night! We're so excited! She's been babbling a lot lately, but we're pretty certain this is the first time she has said a real word and understood it's meaning at the same time...

Some of you may know that we're teaching Gwyneth to call me "Papa", simply because I think it's cute and we like to do things other than the norm. Gwyneth's speech therapist warned us that "p" is often more difficult for babies to pronounce, so we should expect her to learn other words first...

Well, Tricia was driving home last night, and told Gwyneth, "We're going home to see Papa"...sure enough, Tricia says that Gwyneth said "Papa" with a pronounced "P" a few times. I heard it myself a few times when they arrived home, and we tried to get it on video (via my cell phone)...she got so close to saying it again a few times, but around 29 seconds on the video below, you can clearly hear her whisper it...



It's been amazing to watch the light bulb turn on over the past month...she has done so many new things in just the past few weeks. What a fun age!

Nate

97 comments:

Kath said...

Yay Gwyneth!!

Brown Eyed Girl said...

Awesome! That's great!!!!!

Roni said...

WOOOHOOOO YAYYYYYY Geyneth!!! Thanks for sharing.. this has made me smile.

Kathy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christy said...

What a blessing! That is so much better than winning a lottery or whatever. Thanks for sharing. She is beautiful!!!

Brunettekoala said...

Go Gwyneth!

Totally got both me and Sarah sitting mesmorised at our computer screen in the centre today (when we should be working...but this is FAR more exciting).

Kathy said...

Yayyyy Gwyneth!!!!

Rhonda said...

First everything is exciting, but when they start communicating verbally it is great. A whole new world! Yay for this new milestone :-)

The Reese Family said...

That is awesome! My 28 week preemie didn't say her first word until she was 22mo and still only says a handful of words at 28mo. Go Gwyneth!!!!

LJR said...

Awesome! What a big girl she is becoming. This is a BIG deal for any child and a super big deal for little Gwyneth who has come such a long way. Congratulations Papa! :-)

higgie08 said...

There is nothing like hearing your baby say her first word! Once she "gets it" she will start learning more words so quickly and be talking up a storm before you know it. It is a great time. My son's first word was "car." We were in a parking lot and he pointed to one and said "caaaa." It was very cool because he associated the word with the item. I still remember that moment and he's nine!

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us...every time I see pictures of your family I am reminded that God still does perform miracles.

Alicia said...

Way to go Gwyneth!!! Congratulations, that is so AWESOME!!!

Anonymous said...

She has the most beautiful smile!

Jenny said...

I was just catching up on the last few posts (I mainly just follow you on facebook and twitter) and I'm so happy at how well your girls are doing! Yay for Gwyneth's first word! I bet you're so proud!! :)

Semi-Organized Mom said...

I love how she turns her head towards Papa when Tricia says "Papa" and gives you a big smile. Too cute! BTW- I heard it!!!

Kori said...

Incredibly cute. What awesome news.

Teresa said...

OMG, she knows papa is you. She just wants to say it so bad, and she does a little bit. Wow, they must think we are crazy the things we do. We all made a big kick here last night about Aidan playing peek-a-boo, and he kept right on, and liked it best when we clapped for him. keep up the good work. Going to be in Myrtle Beach next week. Let's hope no rain!

Rose said...

How exciting! I bet that she will start exploding with words now! Have you tried Nordic Naturals DHA ? My 21 month old had a language explosion right when we started and I can't say for sure but I think it had something to do with it. A good friend of mine who adopted from China said the same thing, so who knows!

Go Gwenyth!

Anonymous said...

So exciting! She has the sweetest little voice!!

Amy in PA

Unknown said...

Yay!!!! We're a Papa family, too. It was our little Munchkin's first word as well. Little girls love their Papas! Congratulations :)

Sonia said...

How exciting!! YAY Gwyneth!!!

redburns said...

yeah gwyneth!! and yeah for you!

Becky said...

OK I just want to cry a load of happy tears now! Absolutely beautiful.

Aspiemom said...

That's so cute! It's a wonder her first word wasn't cam'ra!

Nicole said...

That's so funny! I love when she looks at you and smiles - so cute! Papa is what our children call my dad and it was actually our daughter Morgan's first word too. Adorable video - adorable Gwyneth! Yay!!!

Jennie said...

That is AWESOME! I can't wait for our little girl to say her first word - I'm sure I'll cry!

Yay, Gwyneth:)

Laura said...

What a wonderful first word! I can tell you are bursting with pride!

-stephanie- said...

Yay, big girl! I love her smile to her "Papa". What a great milestone.

Jenny said...

I have goosebumps, not only hearing Gwyneth, but hearing Tricia's remarkably beautiful voice as well!!! Thank you so very much for sharing!

Kellee said...

WOOOO HOOOO!!
That was so very precious!!!!

Steph said...

You guys are great!!! Hooray for Gwyneth! I loved watching her face as she heard "Papa" then looked over to find her papa. So cute!

Tara said...

YAY!!! how sweet... she is adorable!

Twinkletoes said...

Congrats Papa! So cute. Love her smile too!

Anonymous said...

I love how she keeps looking over at you like, "what he's right there??" HAHA!

Way to go Gwyneth!

Unknown said...

That's fantastic! I laughed with delight! It's obvious she knows what "Papa" means because she looked at her Papa every time Tricia said the word. What a precious blessing Gwyneth is! Thanks for sharing.

Amy said...

You guys should be coaches! I am sitting here willing her to say it along with you! It's so cute. She might start talking nonstop soon!

Quin's momma said...

Look at her! Trying & concentrating so hard! What a smart girl! When she whispered it, I actually clapped- like I used to for my own daughter...except I'm watching a video. Yay Gwenyth!!!

Also, Nate, a friend of mine from high school has a daughter in the NICU right now. Her baby has had quite a few challenges thus far. I referred her to your blog for...for hope & strength. She may contact you. I'm sure she'd appreciate any prayers.

DJones said...

so adorable!

Theresa said...

Oh my gosh, that was just too cute! She has the sweetest little voice ever. I just loved her little smile that she'd give every so often, as if to say "geez, mom and dad, *I* know I can say it, *YOU* know I can say it...and you certainly know how to say it...but I'm sure as heck not gonna say it for the camera!"!

P.S. My girls call my dad Papa...it's such a cute name!

HoundDogMom said...

Go Gwyneth, Go Gwyneth! You can definately see those wheels turning in her head. Thanks for sharing.

ShEiLa said...

It is darling watching the wheels spin behind those beautiful eyes... trying her best to get the sounds to come out right.

kids are precious.

ToOdLeS.

Bridget said...

Adorable! I love how she keeps looking between both of you--she's so attentive!

Anonymous said...

PEOPLE. It is sooo obvious what all that smiling is about. Allow me to translate: "Look at these two. Two syllables and they're all up in a girl's face. Easy pickin's. Hmmm, what do I want to be driving in 15 years?"

Nate, you and Trisha are in sooo much trouble. Better start practicing "NO" now....before it's too late.

There's cute. And, then there's KA-UUUTE! Such sweetness in that face.

Anonymous said...

How exciting!!! Yay! Nothing better as a parent than hearing that.
enjoy before the bad words come :)

Carol said...

That is so darn charming! She is clearly aware of how earnestly you guys want her to say it and how happy it makes you when she does - that's probably such GREAT incentive for her to just start adding to the vocabulary left and right. Se looks as if she is thinking "Wow- these guys are pretty excited - maybe I just found the key to communicating with them" Anyhow, excellent, fun times!

Holloway Clan said...

You can totally see the little light bulb blinking above her head. Well done, baby girl!
Becky (Fletcher) Holloway

Kristina said...

That is amazingly cute!!! Feels sooo good, doesn't it?

Amy Lynn said...

Go, go, girl!!! Great job!!

Anonymous said...

she is so cute!
and so cool she is learning to say dad in italian!

Valeria,
from Italy!

Andrea said...

Congrats to Gwyneth & to you Nate. It's always a thrill & honor when they say YOUR name first!! ;-)

I also love how she is looking back & forth between you & Tricia.. you only imagine what she is saying her in head. It's almost like she's laughing at you guys! LOL

Anonymous said...

So sweet!!!!! Our daughter calls her grandpas 'papa' and still has to whisper it or it comes out 'baba' (she is almost 19 months old, too)!!

Gwyneth is getting so big and more and more adorable all the time if that's possible!!

Our beautiful mess... said...

YAY GWEN!!! You know it's murphys law 103 of babies that they will be doing something incredibly cute and do it a hundred times, but as soon as the camera comes out, they stop, Right? (HOLY run-on!)

Anonymous said...

So precious. You can tell she loves her papa through those smiles. What a little sweetie. thanks for sharing this milestone with us Nate and Trisha. ~Darlene

MamaMia said...

How fun!!! Yay Gwyneth!!!

Em said...

Great job, Gwyneth! You are getting to be such a big girl!

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Yay! That's so exciting.

Twinmommy2boys said...

Yay!!! We call our dad Papa as well and my kids call him papa too. I liked that we were different.

JUST A MOM said...

FIRST LESSON,,, they will NEVER do what you what when you want it... she did say it and will OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHEN YOU ARE IN THE NEXT ROOM!!!!!!!!

North Carolina Mom said...

Papa... Aw, I LOVE the way she is looking at you guys, just looking looking back and forth. Tricia you have the sweetest most angelic voice, it sounds like she is going to take after her mama!

North Carolina Mom said...

Ok, I had to watch her again, is it just me or does she look at Papa whenever you say it! She is amazing.

Marsmile said...

Neato!!! How adorable is that! Gotta be fun to watch her learning new things and I'm thrilled she said her first word! :-D Pretty soon, she'll say mama! :-)

Anonymous said...

Yay Gwyneth!!!! I love how she goes back and forth looking at the both of you like, yeah there is Papa =]

CulyQFun said...

Wow, that is great!!! So exciting. And you sound like my husband and I when we are recording...."Do it again, do it again" LOL

Rick Lawrenson said...

If you watch and listen closely she was saying "Grandpa".

Momof2bz said...

I love it! Her face throughout the whole video is so funny!! I love hearing the sound of both of your girls Nate :)

Tricia said...

I'm surprised her first word wasn't "camera"!!

Are you all doing baby sign? Very powerful way (backed up with research) to unlock communication while they are still mastering speech.

Kristen said...

Awsome!!!! way to go Gwyneth!!!

Selina said...

she's like "I said it already, why do I have to do it again?!" too cute!! she is really coming along! so proud for you.

Selina.

Penny said...

So sweet! I called my grandpa Poppa and now my grandkids call my husband that. It was one of their first words. So, take that Speech Therapist. LOL

Emily said...

How awesome is that?! I am so sitting here with my lips in position, as if I am the one trying to get her to say it! Too funny. Oh so sweet. And what a miracle to witness. :)

You go, God!

Beverly said...

This is the sweetest video!

Yeah Gwyneth!

Anonymous said...

Saw this in the paper today and thought of you!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/northamerica/usa/5946284/On-the-spot-threat-to-North-Carolinas-unspoilt-beaches.html

Alison

bridget said...

So so cute! Way to go Gwyneth!

mom of 2 said...

My kids always did things for me and they always made a liar out of me by refusing to "perform" for anyone else!!!
Gwyneth is really doing well for an 18mth old who was a preemie! She will change so much in the next year!
My niece was full term- and never said a word until she was 24 mths-
now she is in University-

kati said...

Thanks so much for sharing that great video. You can really see that Gwyneth knows who papa ist and that she's wondering why her mommy and papa are sooo excited. As she is a very polite girl she just smiles and wispers "papa" to find out what really is so exciting about saying papa while he is standing right there.
She is become more beautiful everyday and I am so happy that you give so many people the chance to bright their day with pics or videos of you little miracle.
Thank you.
Kati

Sheri said...

Yipee! How exciting. It only gets better from here and every time she says it your heart is going to melt.

mom nana nelson said...

How sweet those words are huh Nathan & Tricia.
Had to laugh at your Dads comment Nathan and also the comment that joked they thought camera would have been Gwyneths first word.
God Bless You Three.

mom nana nelson said...

ooopppsss also wanted to say, Come on now next word up has to be for the Mama, it is time for Tricia to hear Mama. =) =)

Becky in VA said...

Yea for Gwyneth!!!

You do realize that she's going to be doing LOTS of new things on a pretty regular basis. She's at such an exciting time of her life and she's got such great teachers! Thanks for making my day.

Love to all.

Cheryl said...

Wow!
Thanks for sharing her progress, it is amazing to watch her grow, I feel like a proud aunt!

Agnes said...

That's one AMAZING child....!

Jenny said...

That is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time. I'll be going to bed with a big smile on my face!

A Jersey Girl said...

I haven't commented in awhile but I still check-in almost everyday and while I have never met you, I don't think I was any less excited seeing that video than when my own kids started talking!

Her growth has been amazing to watch, I started following your blog just before Gwyneth was born and what an amazing little girl she is! But what else could be expected with such incredible parents!

Thanks for sharing!

Emily

Amy E. said...

too fun!!! yeah for Gwyneth!!

jill said...

Yay Gwyneth! How awesome!

(P.S. Not sure if you know of this site but www wallblank dot com is selling two prints this week to raise money for CF. When I saw it I thought of you and Tricia. if you don't want this in your comments, feel free to delete. I've never bought anything from them but figured I'd tell you about it.)

DogsDontPurr said...

Wow! That gave me chills....how monumental it must feel like to hear that first word...and even more so to have it be "Papa!" You must feel so proud!

You've got an amazing little girl, and she has an amazing set of parents!

Lindsay said...

how incredibly awesome was that. I had my mouth going along with her...."helping" her get that PaPa out! She is the sweetest!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

Anonymous said...

The coolest thing is seeing her look at you because she knows you are Papa. Please tape her again in a few days cause I know she is going to practice that word in the next few days. We never tire of seeing Gwyneth's new accomplishments. She is so sweet the way she looks back and forth at both of you. The best thing is the way you say short sentences to her. She doesnt need to hear a bunch of words when you talk to her. In the beginning it is easier to figure out the meaning of what is being said when there are a few words. I work with children everyday and it is so exciting when they do new things. Way to fo big girl:>

Meredith K Beaupre said...

In the middle of a very stressful morning that brought the biggest smile to my face! You have a gorgeous little girl and a beautiful family. God does pretty cool stuff, and your family is evidence of His awesome handiwork!!

BMom said...

You know what is just as fun to hear in this video? The excitement and joy in you and Tricia's voices. Love it! :)

Thanks for sharing and thanks for the smiles.

Anonymous said...

There are 3 brilliant parts to this:
1 = Gywneth's first word!
2= everytime Tricia says papa she looks at you and smiles.
3 = when Trica says 'she's trying so hard' she looks at mum and is so happy.
Such family love and such a CUTIE!

Lauren M said...

So fun! Reminds me of when my G Rose said Dada the first time. She too whispered it to him, then said it louder and louder. Little ones just are not sure and they're tentative about it, but the praise certainly reinforces it.

Marcie said...

Go Gwyneth! Yay!

Brianna said...

Ha! That's so cute!

Wanda said...

Fantastic news! Way to go little one! Oh the first word is so exciting and means so much when we wait so long for it! Took us 23 months to get ours, 'more' and it is music to our ears! Go Gwyneth go!

Mary said...

Awww....This is just so cute!!!

We have 5 kids, and are a "Papa" family as well. Two of our children come from China where "Baba" is the word for your father, so it's taken a bit to get them used to changing that b to a p. :) And our 4th oldest has a bilateral cleft lip/palate, so it's impossible for him to make the p sound right now. We are content with a "baba" out of him. lol

Summer Braxton said...

Does she have the sweetest lips or what? I found myself rooting her on when she kept getting so close. What a great video to have! And it is obvious she knows who ya'll were talking about since she lit up every time she looked your way.