Conjunction junction

"I don't."
Two words may never have had more of an effect on me. (OK, aside from "ice cream.")
That was one of the things Elise said tonight -- "I don't."
For a toddler who every day seems to be uttering new words and stringing together five-, six-, seven- or eight-word sentences with relative ease, "I don't" is an example of the less-is-more theory. It's a short phrase, but come on, you've got a conjunction there. That's impressive for a 23-month-old, even if she cannot actually say "conjunction" yet. At least it's impressive to me, because I know nothing about toddler language development beyond what I observe with Elise. Which means every time she comes up with a new word, phrase or sentence, I'm convinced she's flat-out brilliant.
Another anecdote: The other day we're talking about my parents' collie and his "nice hair." Elise looks at the dog, then looks up at me, puts her hands on her head and says, "Elise has nice hair, too."
Each day there's a new "oh, how sweet" phrase coming from her.
Of course, this language development means that if we -- well, I -- don't clean up the act around her, she soon could have just as salty a vocabulary as it is sweet...

A little news to share.

Showing off the announcement shirt.

It's been a long winter in Minnesota. In other news, we're excited to announce that Anni is pregnant with Child #2.
Are those two items related -- the long winter and the occurrence of a pregnancy? I'm not sure, but already more than one person has suggested a connection.
"So that's what you Minnesotans do in the winter," one relative told me.
Another character in the family offered this: "Well, you can't do much work outside in the winter so you work inside, eh?"
Anyway, about Anni. She's about 12 weeks along, which means we have six months left to enjoy a somewhat normal sleep routine. But who's really keeping track?
She is due in mid-August. That's a good month to be born, by the way, in August. It's a good month for a celebratory event.
We've already started trying to introduce Elise to the idea that there is a baby inside Anni. I'm not sure how that comes across to a 23-month-old, but she at least knows how to answer the question:
Us: "Elise, what's in Mom's tummy?"
E: "Baby."
Then, however, Elise tries to play "Giddyup, Pony!" on Anni's stomach, so I'm not sure she understands quite yet.
Oh, did I mention we're having a boy? Well, we don't know that yet, but that is the overwhelming consensus thus far, beginning with Anni and me. She told me she was pregnant. Apparently I had a stunned look on my face, but I'd argue that I was just thinking to myself.
"It's a boy," I predicted.
"I think so too," Anni replied, though she now is back to being undecided.
Like with Elise, we don't want to find out in advance. I'm not one for surprises, except for this one.