sign o' the times

Also since I last weighed in with you, Eli grew up. Just like  that. Except for the part where he doesn't talk. In order to encourage his speech AND perhaps even more so because I love trendy  parenting tricks, we've been teaching him to sign. Did you know that signing promises to practically ERADICATE the terrible twos. That might be a direct quote from Signing Time. And if you were to ask me why I sign I am likely to regurgitate such a line.

To date Eli can approximate the following signs:

dog
baby
hat
more
eat
all done
yes
no
bath
milk

Some of these are useful. I am fond of all done, yes, no, and eat. It's not always clear whether he's signing to communicate or just practicing his vocabulary during a lull in the day. The latter  is likely to send me into an embarrassing frenzy of question-asking and senseless arm-waving.

"More what, Munch Can?"

"You want to eat? Let's get in your chair then, Sugar Fly!"

"A bath? We just took a bath, Little Man."

And so yes there is some communication emerging for sure. But I'm not at all sold on how all this is going to get rid of the terrible twos. I guess the premise there is that if the kiddo can communicate their needs and feelings then frustration dissolves and peace prevails.

What this assertion does not consider is that much of what Eli wants to do is dangerous or gross and requires me to say no. There is not a sign that will help him understand that what he desires may also kill him. It's too early in life for that kind of reality anyway. No, Eli. We do not wrap cords around our neck, Eli. No. We do not poke or swat Maltsby about the face. No. We do not stick  fingers knuckle deep into Mama's belly button. No. You cannot play with your parts while I'm wiping them clean.

I once felt so bad for removing his hand from his package during a messy diaper change that I forced his hand back after I'd finished cleaning. Consequently, I had visions of the shame he'd carry around for a lifetime stemming from the way Mama didn't let him explore his regions. And in the end, I felt naughty for encouraging, practically thrusting, himself upon himself. That's another topic entirely though. Ahem.

So we sign but I'm not exactly sure to what end. It does also promise a bigger vocabulary. That seems almost as wildly unsubstantiated as the terrible two promise. Furthermore,  it reminds me of the time years ago when  I had to get a physical in Tokyo which, oddly,  required a chest x-ray. While looking at my x-ray the doctor told me in English that my heart was bigger. Not bigger than the first time I'd been there since that was my first time and not bigger than the average Japanese person and not bigger than a gerbil's heart just BIGGER.

Here's the truth. The real benefit is for our personal entertainment and validation that he understands bits and pieces of the world around him. Each sign he makes is mostly just a hallelujah to what we continue to hope is proof of his normalcy.

Comments

[Lucinda]

I've been reading all your prior entries and I am SO glad you're back. I had been wondering how you were doing and I couldn't imagine you birthin' a baby without ME. ;)

Eli reminds me of my nephew a bit. He is half Japanese and learning two languages at once. Therefore, he is saying a whole lot of nothing. He's a month away from two. I think it's got a lot to do with learning two languages at once. He can understand much of what they're saying in either language, but he doesn't actually use the words verbally.

I'm off to put you back on my blogroll...

[Marie]

LOLOL..... Playing with the package. Oh yes, oh yes. I guess we'd want to play too, if we had packages, no? I've noticed an increased interest in the package since the 2nd birthday. Like it's another toy in the bathtub... I try to divert attention elsewhere, but he always goes back to it!

Good for y'all on the signing. We got signing flash cards as a gift but haven't used them. Just wait -- the words will be flying before you know it. My mind is boggled every day now by what the little guy is saying.

You have such a wonderful way with words, Meredith. I'm sitting here smiling and nodding. I'm so glad you're back!

[MetroDad]

I'm so glad you're back, Mer. Where else am I going to read posts like this? Loved it.

[Lissi]

I forgot about that promise to eradicate the terrible twos. It must be true because we signed with Cameron and the threes have been a nightmare!!! I am going to erase all signs from Lily's memory bank....I would much prefer some terrible twos over what we've been going through at 3!!!

[Heidi]

Love the mohawk. We do the same thing to Beck.

[Raehan]

When he starts giving you the finger, you know the terrible twos have hit.

Is that in the signing dictionary?

[Lucinda]

Congrats on your Perfect Post award! I loved this post, too. :)

[mongakim]

It sounds interesting, I wonder what I might have known had my children been taught to sign when they were young, I'm betting it was more than the "I'm going to make you nuts today" message I assumed they were giving me when they smeared their peanut butter on the wall. Who knew?

[nat]

What a great read!

I'm still chuckling, though, that you put his hand back on his package after you cleaned the diaper. LOLOL!

[MommaK]

The package guilt is an issue we should explore. I think our family (at least the generation above us) would have benefited much from a little nudge in the probing direction. You're doing a good job, Mom. As long as he doesn't read this one day, I'm sure he won't need therapy.