The kids and I went to the library today. When we left, I was lifting Rilla into her carseat and she started to fuss, pointing back toward the library and saying in her imperious way, "Nuh! Nuh!" She’s using lots of sign language these days (which utterly melts me), and she began making a sign I’d never seen her do before: L shapes with both hands, touching, banging together.
I thought maybe she was trying to sign run; Rose and Beanie had raced down the wheelchair ramp on their way to the car. To test my theory, I took Rilla out of the car and put her down on the ramp. Sure enough, she took off running—all the way up the ramp and straight to the library door.
Now I was really curious. She was clearly on a mission. I opened the door and followed her in, even though I was pretty sure this wasn’t going to end prettily: if she was wanting to go back in and play for a while, she was going to be disappointed, and 18-month-olds tend not to suffer disappointment quietly. But she seemed so intent upon her purpose and I was dying to know what she was thinking.
She made a beeline for the children’s section, straight to the back bookcase—and turned to me with arms raised, wanting to be picked up—and pointed triumphantly at Jane’s sunglasses sitting forgotten on the top shelf.
I was, and remain, amazed. No wonder she falls asleep at the table. She’s busy all day taking note of every little thing.
Amazing! Both that she found the sunglasses and that you, a busy mom, took the time to go in with her to see what she meant. Very instructive in many ways.
Awesome! I don’t know many signs – did you figure out what she was trying to sign?
Now that paints a picture — what wonderful little people kids are, huh? And it just shows how comofortable she is in the library — ALWAYS a good thing!
Amazing. What a smart and persistent little girl!! Also, kudos to her mommy for being so patient to find out what she was so insistent about. Do you think she was signing library? We just learned that one-two L’s circling in front of you. Those little ones can really do their part when we let them, can’t they?
Oh this is just TOO sweet! I love hearing about their world through the littlests eyes, priceless 🙂
Too cute! Did she make up her own sign for sunglasses?
I love signing with the littlies!
Oh what a great anecdote! I needed a bit of cheery early childhood sweetness today.
Brilliant!! =) I bet Jane was very grateful, hahaha.
I don’t know what part of SD you’re in, but I’ve been living here for about 7 years now… and my FAVORITE libraries are all in Chula Vista. They’re about 30 minutes south of where I live, so it’s a big trek for me, but both the libraries I frequent there are HUGE, full of books and families. I began to go there after I was very disappointed in the libraries in my area. So hopefully, you’re finding the ones in your corner of SD just as delightful as I find the ones in Chula Vista!! If not, I have a few recommendations 😉
So totally reminds me of Kate and the dog on Arthur. They had their own language and knew things their parents and owners never credited them with knowing.
How awesome that you let her lead you back into the library! Good mom.
That’s pretty impressive! Not so much the baby, for the little ones notice everything, but that you took the time and trouble to follow her back in to find out what she wanted. I’d have just buckled into her seat and told we’d be back next week. 🙂
Gosh, I think you guys are giving me way too much credit. 🙂 She was so insistent, and I was dying of curiosity to know what the heck she was trying to communicate to me. I figured she probably just wanted to go back in and play some more, and I fully expected it to end with me having to scoop her up and hustle her out of the library while she hollered her protests—but curiosity got the better of me! LOL. Lucky for Jane!
BTW, she made the same sign again yesterday, and though I’d been leaning toward Sarah’s “library” guess, I think she really must be signing “run” after all. We were parked outside ballet, and when the big girls got out of the minivan and took off running toward the stairs, Rilla cackled and made that clapping-Ls sign again to show me she wanted to get down and go too! 🙂 I think she’s using a modified “run” sign for “need to go!”
Oh, I just love signing babies!!
Melissa,
You get the **Saintly Mommy** award for going back in with her. Good for you!
Hugs, Alli
WOW!