When Oscar was just starting to communicate, and I heard about baby signing, I had one of those a-ha moments. You mean to say, he can understand me and I can understand him? Before he can talk? This was especially important during mealtime (as all moms know) when things can get really hairy really fast. Both Oscar and Lily signed, and I wouldn't exactly call it language, but it sufficed. And it was so cute.
Then came Henry.
This is an example of a run-of-the-mill, everyday mealtime "conversation" between Henry and I:
Henry: Ear-piercing scream
Me: Are you all done? (baby sign for all done)
Henry: More screaming
Me: Do you want more? (baby sign for more)
Henry: Screaming, accompanied by the squeezing fists which look like he is milking a cow. I now know this to mean he wants more.
I put some food on his tray, and two minutes later, we go through the same process all over again.
Someone who saw Henry opening and closing his fists thought he was asking for milk. As it turns out, it is the baby sign for milk. That would be great if we had ever taught him that, and if he were actually asking for milk. Maybe ASL aficionados would say that sign is inherent. I just think it's Henry's way of sticking it to the man, or mom, as it were.
3 comments:
hahahaha, you had me rolling! we have all been there, in fact i was just there a few minutes ago!
that makes me feel better. we tried to teach max sign for months on end (seriously, we were a bit excessive). he never picked up on it and just started nodding yes or no instead of signing. with ian i didn't even bother.
I have never heard a child scream louder for food or cram more in than Henry.
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