Like most modern parents, we decided to try and teach our daughter Baby Signs. The theory behind the program is that children frequently suffer frustration because their verbal ability does not keep pace with their mental ability and they cannot express their thoughts or wishes. Makes sense, actually, and every parent we spoke to while the little braxton-hicks was still in utero went on and on about how great it was.

Well, like most everything, we tried it for a while then abandoned it after little success. But yesterday, I was feeding her, and she was getting a little fussy. I said, “Maple, do you want food?” while doing the sign for food (I still have a habit of doing some of the signs).

She responded with the sign for food.

“Wow! That’s right! Food!” I exlaimed, signing “food” as I said it.

“Food!” Maple yelled in response.