The need to know (and the language that comes with it)

We've been waiting for it -- dreading it, even. (At least Daddy has.) Just this week, "Why?" has become an oft-repeated staple in Gwendolyn's conversations. Every parent knows this is a rite of passage for any self-respecting toddler; we were just hoping to be the exception to the rule.

We can only guess it morphed out of her recent and constant use of "because":

• Daddy: We need to change your diaper, Gwendolyn.
• Gwendolyn: Because...
• Daddy: Because it's wet.
• Gwendolyn: Because...
• Daddy: Well, because you peed.
• Gwendolyn: Because...

We hope you get the picture.

We're not sure what to make of her shift from initiating the answer ("because") to starting with the question ("why"). We do know that it has resulted in some real gems, such as today's "Why is that woman tall?"

Care to try and answer that one for a 2 1/2 year old? Daddy briefly stumbled down the genetics path before remembering to whom he was talking.

Speaking of challenging questions, Gwendolyn's other favourite form has become "what is," as in:

What is a lamp? (leaf? ball? airplane? smile? song? etc.)

Well, at least she's curious.