Cues

Emilio is now able to "cue" me that he has certain needs or wants and it is making the fluidity of relationship much easier. We are like an old married couple who finally went to marriage counseling and understand what the other has been saying all along. He has always sent me cues, even as a newborn; they just are taking more forms than crying 100 different ways and making odd facial expressions that I try to interpret. "Oh, that is his gas face. I think he ate too much. No, maybe he didn't eat enough. I don't know. What do you think honey?"

Take for instance if he poops in his diaper. He comes to me pulling at the front of his diaper and then is able to wave his hand in front of his nose as if to say, "I SMELLLL!!! Somebody take care of this pronto!" I then say, "Change di di?" and he reaches up to hold my hand as we wander down the hall to his changing table. If he wants something he sees he opens and closes his hand really fast as if to say, "Hurry up already. Touching that object is of the highest importance!" If he wants more of something he signs the word "more" by bringing his little fingers together. Tia Casey taught that to his ONCE and he remembers it. Amazing little genius baby. If he is ready to get out of his booster seat he brings one knee up and cries as it (always!!!!) gets caught between the tray and the back of the seat. If he is mad he stops in his place, clenches his fists and puts his arms out tensing with frustration. Sometimes this is accompanied by dramatically throwing himself on the floor or sidewalk but that is only on a really good mad day. When I cue the music he runs around in a circle with his mouth smiling so wide you can literally see all 12 of his teeth. This is quickly followed by a sweet rendition of "Watch me bop up and down while trying to clap my hands." Harder than you might initially think for a 14 month old people. Give the kids some credit! And when he sees me, even after I have been gone for only a half hour, he runs (which is walking really fast practically face-planting) to me with his little arms opened wide and the above-mentioned wide smile as if to say "Happinessssss!!!!" Right back at you Emilio.