The "F" word.

So Tessa has been venturing further and further into the uncharted waters of words. She is beginning to put together sentences and phrases. She gets quite proud of herself over these tiny speaking triumphs. She will smile that kind of smile that squints up her eyes and then clap for herself. The other day, while she was feeling particularly high on her horse, she walked haughtily up to the cat, Diego, and tried to tell him to get up off his warm spot on the floor. He didn't even open his eyes--just totally ignored her. She tried squatting down to his level and saying her command louder, but nothing worked. She finally did what all humans will do when pushed past the point of reason--resort to physical force. Have you ever noticed how many grown-ups are like toddlers??

So, anyway, it came as quite a shock the other day when Tessa started saying the "F" word. At this point in the game, most of her words could be something else, so I tried to ignore this anomaly. But Anthony heard it, too. So it wasn't just me. We thought and thought. What could she be trying to say? Did she hear this word at J's (her daytime "mommy")? Meanwhile, Tessa's favorite word of turtle was quickly being replaced by the "F" word. She was saying it everywhere. Which isn't too big of a deal until you get to church and go to drop her off at nursery. Tell me, how do you explain that to the nursery teachers without sounding guilty?

ME: (in a nonchalant and guilt-free way)
"Um, yeah. If you hear Tessa say the "F" word, it's nothing to worry about. She just likes to say it now. All the time. Oh, and we don't know where she got it from. Really. Do you say the "F" word?"

Fortunately, J figured out the mystery for us. It turns out the "F" word is really Tessa's way of saying Yuck. I guess J says yuck when she changes a dirty diaper. Which explains why she would say it really loud every time I changed her diaper. Even the other day in the restroom at the Art Museum in front of three women wearing lots of jewels. I'm pretty sure they were offended. Or maybe the diaper just smelled really bad, I don't know.

Is this what they meant by, "Parenting is an adventure?"