Growing Communication

We are just amazed at how much Ellison's communication has picked up in the last few days!!! It's seriously mind-boggling how quickly this is happening! I know this is all normal stuff, but it's our "new" normal since we've never been through this before. I about fell over yesterday when Ellison informed me she was hungry for cheese!!! I know this seems mundane for many of you, but she actually told me trying to use words. Now mind you, no one else would know what she's trying to say, but since we're constantly doing word associations & working on pronunciation with her, we know exactly how she pronounces certain words. In the last 2 days, she figured out how to tell me when she's hungry - she looks us in the eye and says, "Huh" but in a way I can't describe, almost like a sigh, and reaches for me, repeating it until she knows I get it. Yesterday, when I confirmed with her "Hungry?", she replied with "Chee" - that's how she says "cheese". When I confirmed "cheese" with her, she nodded emphatically. It just felt so completely strange to be communicating like this with Ellison. And it's so easy! To know exactly what she wants - it's gotta feel huge for her, too. I know most little toddlers use words pretty well, but I didn't expect her to be able to use "hungry" yet. It's been so awesome the last 2 days - she says it at the appropriate times - no guesswork for mom & dad anymore. Her understanding is really expanding, too. Today she made a mess (she says "Meh"). I asked her (without any motions, just words) to go over to the other side of the room to pick up her stuff and put it back in the drawer. I'll be darned - she looked at me as I explained the task, then did it!!! Our daughter's brilliant!!! Ha - I apologize, it's just so exciting as a parent. I can imagine all the eye-rolling that's going on with you readers, but allow me the indulgence of delighting in my offspring.