An Update at 2.5 years

I thought it was about time to do a progres report for my trilingual toddler, Beli is 29 months- almost 30 months.

Language:

Five months ago I took a trip to the States to visit my family after being overseas for a year. As you might remember at the time I was mixing all three languages when I spoke to Beli, (Spanish,Croatian and English). I was using words she would understand (example: la blusa,los shorts y los shoes)but the trip back home was an eye-opener because my family couldn't understand when Beli asked in Croatian, "Sto je to" what is this..for things and people. I was interpreting for my two year old! So upon our return to Croatia I mentioned to hubby that it was time I used the OPOL method (although I would add that he was already doing that, speaking only Croatian). There were times when Beli would only stare at me, lost in my Spanish words and would instead turn to Daddy because she couldn't understand what I was saying. So since our return to Croatia, Beli is now proficient in speaking Spanish. I don't know how she knows but she only speaks Espanol with me then turns to Daddy and says the same sentence but in Croatian.

Now about that third language, Ingles. I'm not sure which parent should speak it. She gets exposure via Baby Tv and just recently after a play date she was introduced to a CD full of children's songs like ...Mary had a little lamb (she says leeto lamb, leeto lamb) and she loves old mcdonald song (she sings MOOOOh) and I have starting reading some English bedtime stories. I guess my questions is should I really worry about teaching her English? Eventually we will be returning to the States where she will go to school there. Do I speak Spanish to her then translate to English?

Emotionally:
She is very independent and not the cuddly type (which had my Mom worried, she once mentioned to me, " La estaba arrullando y no queria que la abrazara."(I was putting her to sleep and she didn't want me to hug her!) I laughed it off and said that was quite normal for her.

But then there are those tender moments when she looks at me and smiles and hugs me, then goes to hubby and does the same..... awww I really enjoy those moments very much.

She's also becoming aware of her emotions . For example, she is reading a book and sees a grumpy face and she says, "enojado" or happy face "contento" or sad one "triste."

A conversation between the two of us: (A note: we call her Beli but she calls herself Bela, in the third person)

Beli: "Mami... Bela esta enojada, mami da abrazo" ( Mommy Bela is mad, Mommy gives hug to Bela.)
Me: " Me das un abrazo y un beso?"

Beli then gives me a hug and a kiss and says, "ahora daddy" (now Daddy).

She then goes to hubby and gives him a hug and says, " Tata dai poljubi."

Potty Training-

Still a struggle but with some progress. We went from Beli requesting the diaper by name 'pamper' to accepting wearing underpants (I let her choose between the Dora character or Princess one) and now we are back to not wanting underwear, only diapers!

and from screaming in fear at the sight of the potty chair to now completely ignoring it.

Now she feels discomfort wearing the diaper and thinks she has a diaper rash so she asks us to put diaper rash cream, "crema, pon crema." BUT she still doesn't want to go potty like her friend Emma. Oh well, it will come plus it helps to know my child isn't the only one.

Favorite Things:

Her favorite ice cream flavor is pinky (strawberry), she loves to eat chocolate, tomatoes, cucumbers and bread dipped in olive oil. Her favorite toys vary from day to day, this day it was a horse and a soldier, other days it's a duck and a spoon, or two teddy bears. She must always have one toy in each hand. I don't know if this is some sort of balance thing?

She also enjoys spending the night at grandma, she cries when we have to pick her up. And now that Baki has retired they are spending more time together. Did you notice the two paintings at the top? Yeap, my little artist drew them, with the help of grandma outlining the shape of the flowers and the tree. We have them in our living room and she looks at the them and says, "Bela boje." (Bela painted them)

She knows to count from 1 to 10 in three languages. She LOVES to sing and dance and enjoys helping in the kitchen.

The Concept of Sharing:

when we visit other children's home she says everything belongs to her and when I say they belong to her friend she screams BELAS. ok you can't argue with a 2 year old right? Yet I want to teach her the concept of sharing so I say, "bueno pero cual juguete le prestamos a tu amiga, allright but which toy should we lend to your friend? and she looks around in the room, grabs a doll and runs over to her friend and gives her the doll. I always say, "gracias Beli!"

Sometimes at home when I give her something she wants she says, "gracias" so tender and sweet I just want to melt.

She also says "please Mami daj cartoons." (please mommy give cartoons) Hey I just realized that sentence has all three languages!

My favorite words, "MAMI ven!" she tells me when she wants me to hold her. In my eyes she is still my baby.