Ziggy's First Word!!

Signed word, that is: Milk.

My big beautiful boy began doing the sign for "nurse" a couple weeks ago. I thought it coincidental. Until Sunday, the day after his 6 month birthday. As he sat on the sofa cuddled up with his visiting grandparents, he began to squeeze his little fist together emphatically. We could no longer deny his intentional usage of the sign! It's just AMAZINGLY cool.

Now, yes. I know when he's hungry anyway, but it's absolutely delightful that he can now tell me when he simply desires the closeness that nursing brings, and he can likewise tell his father "Find mama!" or his grandparents or other family members / caregivers, "I'm ready to nurse!"

Last night we went visiting & to deliver supper to friends. Ziggy was fine there for the better part of an hour, though he wouldn't smile, laugh or chatter to our friends. Blue bandana on his head, making his own big eyes bluer, he drank in his surroundings, rather in quietly serious repose. He seemed happy enough in the arms of someone else for most of that time until he caught my eye and began to sign "nurse" to me over & over. He was so clear that one of our friends noted how the sign is like milking a cow. Indeed.

As he seemed to crave not only nursing, but a time of reconnection with Mama, we stole on out to the car in our friends' driveway and snuggled into the backseat to nurse in the quiet darkness, distractions at bay. Immediately, Ziggy began to suckle heartily. Initial hunger sated, he unlatched, pulled back his sweet head and looked up at me with the most mischievious smile and eye twinkle. He couldn't have been more clear in telling me, "You got it, Mama! I told you what I wanted and you knew and gave it to me!"

As My Beloved Mister says, our boy is becoming more of a person all the time, with clear likes and dislikes and an ability to navigate and communicate greater subtlety.



His next might-be-coincidental sign would seem to be Dog. Apropos, as his friendship with Bert blossoms daily.