I started using sign language with Elias on December 22. I started out just doing the sign for “milk”, so that I could get used to it and be consistent with it. A week or two after I started it I saw him opening and closing his hand right before I fed him similar to the sign for milk but I wrote it off, “surely this is too soon for him to be signing back!” i thought. But not too many days later he did sign the word “milk” and this time I was sure! He was on my lap already so it didn’t take much for me to figure out he was for sure wanting to eat, but it was still encouraging! This week on January 7th he really amazed me. I was changing his clothes (something that he sometimes hates, and other times does not mind) and he began fussing. I had fed him about an hour before this so it didn’t even enter my mind that he might be hungry, I just figured he was annoyed at me for changing his shirt that was covered in spit up, and wanting to be held. Then I saw his hands… they were very clearly making the sign for milk and he was giving me this look. He KNEW what he was doing I could tell. I was so excited! I wasn’t in the room/chair that I usually nurse him in, but I wanted to be sure and show him that I understood, and reinforce the sign so I picked him up (his shirt only half way buttoned) and started getting ready to nurse him. he immediately stopped fussing, he knew I had gotten the message! I was able to carry him into the other room and sit in our normal place to nurse.
It was truly incredible. The first time I was able to really understand what my son was trying to tell me. and that’s a wonderful feeling <3
He is still not signing every time, but that is normal. I am trying to keep with it consistently, though I have forgotten a couple of times since friday because I got lazy when he seemed to “get it”. BAD IDEA as I have not seen him doing again (maybe once, but I’m not positive about that one…). So consistancy on my side is definately key to make this work. But regardless I’m so proud of my little boy! Just past 2 months and already we are able to communicate slightly!
I am now also trying to add in our next sign “change” for when he needs his diaper changed. Wondering how long it will take him to learn this one…
