We really have to be careful how we talk to Zara, because she’s learning fast, picking up our talking style, and the words we used. Here are some moments which caught me off guard.

Kiddie Rides
Every time when Zara points to a Kiddie Ride and requested to go on it, we’ll say we have no money, can’t go on this time.
We were in KLCC on Saturday, we thought we’ll give her a treat, and inserted some coins (she also associates coins with money) for one of the rides. After her RM1 ride, she said, “More more! Money! Put”

Diaper Changing
When I try to get Zara to listen to me, I always repeat please many times. “Zara please, don’t touch the floor.” “Zara please, it’s dirty.”
When I was changing her diaper this morning, I wanted her to lie still, but she wanted to sit up to play instead. After a few failed attempts to sit herself up (because I pinned her thighs down), she looked at me desparately and said, “Pis! Pis! Pis!” (her Please)

Thanks for your compliment
We are teaching Zara to say thanks. We prompt her to say thanks after we give her something. We will also say thanks when she helps us with some chore (dropping the laundry in the bag, throwing the paper in the dustbin), or kisses us.
That day, she did something smart, and Daddy said, “You are such a clever girl!” Her reply, “tats” (her Thanks).

Wait
When Zara needs attention and we are busy, we always say “Wait, let mummy …” or “Wait, daddy finished … first”. “Wait Wait, Wait First”
Before bedtime just now, I helped her with her usual pre bed time ritual (hand washing and tooth brushing). I soaped her hands, rubbed her hands together, and when I wanted to rinse them, she just retracted both her hands away from the running tap.
I told her “please, let mummy rinse the soap away”, and pulled her hands back to the tap. She held her hands firmly away from the tap and said, “Wai, Wai! Wai Wai! Wait” (her Wait) as she wanted to get more bubbles on her hands.

Swearing
She was playing with a ball in the room, accidentally dropped it. And I seriously think I heard her said “shit” (my expression when I drop things accidentally) and then she just tried to retrieve it from under her cot.