We’ve been using sign language with Miles for the past 6 months or so and it is finally starting to sink in with him. Also, he now has the dexterity in his fingers to really be able to communicate back. I had wondered if using sign language would impede his desire to start talking, but it seems that he is also starting to use more words now as well. We have a Baby Einstein dvd that he loves which teaches basic signs that babies would need on a daily basis. I enjoy watching it with him, because I’m learning too. When I was growing up, my best friend’s mother was deaf. I learned how to sign the alphabet and a couple of words, but not enough to really communicate well with her. I wish that there had been videos that were readily available to me back then. I think it would be wonderful for Miles if he could be fluent in sign language, so that he could speak with the hearing impaired someday. The confusing part for me is recognizing when he is signing or just being silly. I try to be attentive to him and watch for the signs, but it’s not always easy. This morning I was changing his diaper and handed him the ointment container to keep himself occupied. He started rubbing his chest in a circular motion, which means ‘Please’. However, since he was holding the ointment, I wasn’t sure if he was asking to have some vix rubbed on his chest or just saying ‘Please’ after the fact. So, I put a little vix on him and hoped that that was what he wanted.
We were taking our bath the other night and I started to really look at Miles in amazement. He’s growing so quickly and so wonderfully. I still can not believe that Kofi and I made this beautiful little creature and that he grew inside of me out of 2 minute cells. It brought tears to my eyes. Life is astounding sometimes, if you pay attention long enough.
