Signs of the Signs

I think I've mentioned before that I'm planning to do sign language with Annabelle. She isn't "signing" yet, but she is doing a couple of things that make me think it won't be long!

1. Nearly every time that she wants to be picked up, she lifts her arms into the air. Now, I know this isn't a "sign", but it is a gesture that she has learned to associate meaning with, and that is encouraging! She has been doing this sporadically for a little while, but she seems to do it nearly every time now regardless (or irregardless... haha!) of whether she's sitting up or laying down.

2. One of the signs that I do more consistently than the others is "milk". Lately, when I ask her if she wants "milk" and do the sign, she gets excited like she does when she sees the nursing shawl or some other thing that indicates she's about to get some milk (I'll let you use your imagination about what that other "thing" might be). Part of that excitement might be recognition of the spoken word, but she seems to look to my hand when I say it to see what gesture my hand is making.

Maybe soon Annabelle will be talking (with sign language) back to me! :)