Brush Your Eyes

Or A Story of Poot. Or An Ode to Alayla & Jules. Or Crazy Things Kiddos Say That Just Make Everything In The World Okay.

By Jane & Her Small Friends


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There once were two little girls who were learning new words all the time and learning how to say these new words in a string like making a sandwich. Sometimes folks around them, the big ones, didn't get the message, and frustration ensued. Other times, everyone just laughed and laughed and we all just had such a wonderful time.

One little girl is Alayla, and she calls me Jimmy. Today I went to visit her and she was sleeping. I sat there for a long time, staring, 'cause she's cute and you can look at her for really long periods of time like that. She rolled over during her sleep and her eyes fluttered open, and a husky groggy old-manish voice came out, "heeey Jimmmmieeeee" she said unenthusiastically and went back to sleep.

I became Jimmee when she said "Hi Aunt Jim!" one day, years ago now. And my mom spent the entire next day saying "Jaaaayy-nnnnuh" to which she dutifully rehearsed "Jiiimmmmm-eeeeeee". I love being Auntie Jimi. Secretly, I did try to get her to call me uncle Jane early on. But Uncle Jim, sounded a bit much.

Anyway, here are other stories of Alaylaisms that need to go down in the books, so that we never forget:

I believe one of her first words (noises?) was a definite growl. We have since accomplished a fine monkey, dog, sealion and chicken. We're still working on the dolphin.

I want bites = I'm hungry

Dats bunny! = That's funny just as "Coot bowers" = "Cute Flowers" and Bish = Fish

Kids will pick up anything you say around the house, so when she dropped her cereal all over the kitchen floor one day we were not surprised she let out a huge gasp and said "Oh! Hunny!"

Poot = Poop. As in "Bye-bye poot" as she waves it down the toity.

My all time favorite potty story is when Alayla was staying over at Nanalee's house in Seattle and walked by the bathroom, opening the door, she clasps her hands on her knees, bending forward just a little and beams like the proud little granddaughter she is and says "Good boy Nana!"

Ok, one more poot story: A first poot in the potty with the little tike involved her peeking into the bowl upon completion and exclaiming "Ohmygosh ish hooge!"

Joey and I were driving her back to Spokane from a Nanalee visit once and she said, when we were home, "Poskane!"

Nowadays this kid reads stories from her books to anyone who will listen, chuckles from the audience just egg her on and the story instantly becomes even wilder and pulled out of the ever-reaching imagination. It's a real treat.

The past few days have been a true testament to her incredible strength, vivacity, power and of course her language and humor. In a horrible freak home crock-pot cooking accident she was rushed to the Pediatric Emergency of SHMC. Once drugged on morphine and bandaged up she told her long distance grandma, "Hi Nan'ee, I got owwies". Then she turns to her grandpa and says "Yook* Elmo**, it's Gomitch***" Which is explained as follows: *Yook = Look **Elmo is who you think he is and ***Gomitch is my dad, who acquired his grandpa name when Alayla used to tell her folks "I gomitch's house" at the door with a bag full of blankie and rocks and stuff.

A pediatrician came in today and Alayla promptly thrust out her hand stuck with an IV line and bandaged up. "Can you take dis awf?" No, I can't, I'm sorry. Are you in any pain? [Alayla nods] Can you tell me where you hurt? [Alayla obligingly thrusts her IV hand in the doc's face--again.]

A nurse walks into her room and says "What are you watching?" Alayla looks at the nurse, and turns right back to the TV (also known as a strong toddler sedative) "This."



Lastly, and the selected title of this piece, is one from a lovely lady called Jules. She lives in Seattle with her folks, who are dear dear friends of mine. This past year I was able to help out in the nanny role and Jules and I became fast friends. While she didn't call me Jimee, she did say Jane before everything...

Jane, Jane, [s]Choolbus. Or Jane, we go see 'Diva? Or Jane, Jane today is dansclass. Or [someone sneezes...] I bless you! Or Jane, wanna play Legos? Or Jane, we go How-Are-You-Park-Swing?

You all know that one right? The park with the swing that is next to the place where Gymboree class is, where they sing the song that goes "How are you..."? Of course you do.

And because day after day I would show up at her home, and at some point while hanging out with Jules, take a moment to apply my mascara (I have to wear the stuff, blond eyelashes need shade protection from unforgiving albeit brief sunlight!) Anyway, Jules always followed me in and propped herself up to quietly observe the ritual until one day, before I had the opportunity yet, she says, "Jane, you brush your eyes?"