Commanding verbal skills

How quickly do toddlers grow and master new abilities? Less than eight months ago, I was writing about Sydney's massive vocabulary - all 11 words of it. Now, our confident little drill sergeant relishes showing her command of the English language by barking commands at everyone around her.

Among her favorite assertions:

• No!
• Maggie, lay down!
• Choc milk peese!
• Mine!
• I got you. (which is always sweet when she wraps her arms tightly around my neck)
• I ready! (as in, "I'm ready to behave" or "I'm ready to say I'm sorry", when really she means "I'm ready for you to let me go play again.)
• I ready to go.
• Sit down. Right here.
• Go downstairs play. Okay?
• Wake up!