Anaiya just turned one and a half. In baby age this feels significant. She’s shifted into 18 month old clothes and shoes. But beyond the physical growth what’s got my attention is this next phase of her personality coming online, especially through verbal communication.
We’ve been in a symbiotic non-verbal communication since she was born (and in the womb). I can read her body and energy and usually know what she needs. Her facial expressions and reaching and pointing speak volumes. We’ve been existing inside of this beautiful world of non-verbal communication. So much is exchanged here. The way I touch her, look at her, guide her body and support her, offers her so much understanding. She feels deeply responded and attuned to. Her needs have been met without her needing to use words. And now she’s thoroughly enjoying using words to get her needs responded to.
Words have been coming online for months now. Single words. It seems like every day she’s experimenting with a new word that she hears me say. She’s often mimicking the tone of the word even if she can’t quite get the consonant fully. I’ve witnessed her satisfaction in using a word and having me respond to what she’s wanting or asking for.
And now, she’s starting to string words together. “Hi mama,” “I love you,” and “all done” are just a few of the phrases she’s speaking. The process of becoming a human continues in its perfect timing.
As the words come more often and clearer, I can’t help but feel the desire to also maintain this non-verbal world we’ve been saturated in. I feel myself wanting to ensure that the emotional and energetic communication between us remains just as strong as the verbal. Words are absolutely important in communication AND there’s so much more being spoken beyond words.
"As my baby, now more toddler than baby, explores her words, I intend for this to be another layer of communication but not to replace all that we’ve developed with each other in the non-verbal realms."
It seems many of us as adults are trying to find our way back to the communication beyond just words. To actually reading and attuning to each other’s energy, and empathizing with emotions, as a way to feel more deeply met, understood and connected. As my baby, now more toddler than baby, explores her words, I intend for this to be another layer of communication but not to replace all that we’ve developed with each other in the non-verbal realms. She will still feel me paying attention to her subtle energy and emotions while also listening to her words. And, she will feel me modeling congruence with my words, emotions and energy (more on that in another post).
"She will still feel me paying attention to her subtle energy and emotions while also listening to her words. And, she will feel me modeling congruence with my words, emotions and energy."
So as we celebrate her 18 months milestone and her continual process of becoming, may she continue to feel heard, be seen and know she is loved and valued, and met through all layers of her being. Honoring all the creative ways we humans express and communicate, including but not exclusive to just words.