I generally write about Sydney but I thought this would be a good time to focus on beautiful Baby James, who’s 19 months old now.
Skyler wrote me a very funny note about (Bambi) Baby James. I wanted to share it with you and she has given me permission to include it in “The Sydney Chronicles.” As you perhaps know, Skyler is a really clever writer and has a great way of describing her adorable children.
Skyler wrote: “This morning James wanted to take a bath to kill some time while I was getting ready for work. He was splashing and making lots of noise but then it got quiet, so I popped my head out of the closet-only to see him holding up Ariel (“The Little Mermaid” in the Disney Classic) and kissing her on the mouth over and over. Each time he kissed her, he said, “mmwah!” Then, so very characteristically of men, he decided he was done with her and threw her over his shoulder without looking to see where she landed. Watch out ladies, he’s gonna love ya and leave ya!”
I wrote back to Skyler telling her that if there’s a child’s version of “The Bachelor” that Baby James will likely be chosen to be on it. (ABC loves good looking guys from Austin.) Baby Girl Bachelorettes will be throwing themselves at our Bambi trying to win his heart. He’ll, of course, make eye contact right away and will give them one of his dazzling smiles. No doubt, they’ll consider themselves lucky if Baby James kisses them. If they’re smart they’ll wear an Ariel costume or try to look like “The Beauty & The Beast’s” Belle, another one of Baby James’ Disney favorites.
For a long time I didn’t realize how many words Baby James can pronounce. It was in the kitchen that I learned about his extensive vocabulary. He says pasta, banana, grapefruit, grapes, hummus, something that sounds like grilled cheese sandwich and he can name lots of other foods. Also, he clearly enjoys watching his Daddy whip up some delicious dishes.
One word that Baby James is having a hard time saying is “SYDNEY.” It’s no surprise that he can pronounce DeDe…that’s easy. He calls Joe Bill something that sounds like “Bo Bill” but Sydney’s name isn’t rolling off his lips.
One day Syd revealed, in a matter of fact way, that her little brother sometimes calls her “DaDa.” Well, the truth is he’s called all of us “DaDa” at one time or another and that includes his “MaMa!”
Syd did get Baby James to say “Sydney” once or twice recently when we were with them while the kids were playing in the bathtub. Syd got him to say “Sydney” by SCREAMING HER OWN NAME, RIGHT IN HIS FACE, AS LOUD AS SHE COULD!
I think that dogs five miles away could have heard her. It’s possible that Baby James was stunned and feared that Syd would break the sound barrier if he didn’t say her name! So he did! Smart move, Baby James. I know that JB and I couldn’t have taken it if Syd had gotten any louder! So we should all yell: “GOOD JOB, BABY, JAMES!”
Love, D2
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