More Words

A catalogue of current Succotash communiques: 

"Rock!"

"I did it!"

"I unno"

"Want that."

"I llll" (the part in your "Who Says I Love You" book where it's your turn to say "I love you!")

"Ummmb" (umbrella)

"Up!"

"That"

"This"

"Truck!"

"Duck!"

"Guck" (all of the above/general approbation)

"Duh duh" (dog)

"duh pp" (dog poop, which you are very good at helping us find, and very good about not picking up)

"Hi!"

"Bye!"

"Woof"

"Water"

"Tuh" (towel)

"Baaaa" (as in sheep)

"Muh" (moo, as in cow)

"Berries"

"Yes"

"Moon"

Signs:

hand on cheek = I want to sleep

hands on both cheeks = I  REALLY want to sleep

fingertips touching = more please

desultory fist = help me

clapping hands = total approval!

smacking Mama's chest insistently = nursing!

patting chair in study = nursing!

pointing at something, then putting finger in mouth = I want to eat that

waving = bye bye

increasingly insistent waving = I am ready to leave now

arm wave from elbow = I want us to sing "The Wheels on the Bus"

hands up, exaggerated shrug = beats me

shaking head = no thank you

nodding and smiling = I know that nodding means yes but I'm just playing

point over shoulder or at door = that thing we saw earlier

happy stamping feet = I helped plant the clover seeds 

angry stamping feet = I am so mad!

finger behind ear = I would like some water please

finger pointing at ear, then away = I hear something!

helping self to hem of Mama's shirt = still more nursing

Words!

 I have faith, Succotash.

This weekend you started saying "hi!" You even said it in a voicemail to Nana and Granpa.

Also this weekend, you said "baa baa baa" when we were discussing a sheep, you said "bye" to Miss Ruth, you said "Ba" when indicating a ball and also a balloon. You have said "Tuh" while pointing to a towel. And you are signing for "help" all the time when you need it, though you sometimes have to be reminded to do so.

You: ARRRRRGGGHHH!

Me: Do you need help? Help?

You: *desultorily makes sign for help*

Me: Okay. 

You consistently say "woof woof woof" when we look at or talk about dogs. You make the "more" sign when you want nursing, which is pretty much all the time. Stressed out? Nursing! Tired? Nursing. Wanting snuggles? Why not nursing? How about if you're feeling good? Nursing! Quick snack? Nursing. Thirsty? Nursing. Bored? Definitely nursing, plus book. 

Also your babbling is sounding very much more like speech. Instead of "buh buh buh" we are hearing "ish blah bither? Thuh thuh. Bla?"

You also like to point at stuff and say "this!" or "that!" Which can also be "dot," when pointing to the polka dot on the sheets. 

All of which is to say that I have faith in you. I always do.

Second Shot

 Oh my little stampy-footed baby! You are picking up a few more words and signs here and there - signing "help" is by far the best one, and you look so irritated when you have to resort to it - and you are more than three feet tall. 

I have just gotten my second vaccine shot. 

I am parked on the sofa today taking it easy, hoping I escape the side effects. I am thinking about you, and your sweet baby cheeks, and your stampy little feet, and the face you make when you are teething, with your lower lip tucked under your upper one, and your brown eyes wide. I am still nursing you, in part because you are a nursing superfan, but mainly because there now seems to be solid evidence that doing so will impart antibodies to you from my vaccination. I am going to nurse you until they have a vaccine for toddlers. With any luck that won't be too long from now.

I feel like I can glimpse the end, and a new life. 

I wonder how we will tell you about this time, when you are older. I wonder what we will say.

What I know for sure is, today, for the first time, I am beginning to feel the loosening of the grip of fear for the first time in over a year. I am so grateful that we have been able to keep you safe, and happy, and growing, even if it does mean that sometimes, when you are frustrated, you have stampy baby feet.