You Say, I Only Hear What I Want To
Now that both parents have witnessed the event, I can officially say AJ has spoken his first word. The word of choice: “bye bye” (accompanied with a thoughtful wave towards himself).
When I picked him up from daycare Friday, another mom said “Bye bye AJ” and I did my usual “say bye bye” and lift his arm up and down or wave my own hand. After I did that, he softly and sweetly said “bye bye” and waved (to himself). I whoorled around to his teachers “did you hear that?!” and asked him to say it again. He did, and about six more times after that.
When we got home, I asked him to say it to Steve, and nothing. And for the whole weekend. Nothing. Just a whole lotta Momma looking like a liar.
Until Monday morning, when we were leaving and I did my usual “say bye bye to daddy” and HE DID.
This morning, without any prompting, he said “bye bye” (to the house, I presume) all on his own.
From what I’ve heard, most baby’s say “mama” and “dada” prior to another word. AJ has not used either word. He occasionally whines “muuuum”, but it isnt necessarily directed at me.
In addition, he seems to have the sign language for “ball” down. He touches his fingers together and says “baaa” over and over. And, if I just do the sign, he’ll do it too. I’m not sure if he knows what it means, though, so we’re working on providing a ball in response.
Yay for communication!