Sign THIS, lady.

In other non-news, we're waiting for words over here from the 20 month old. We've got a few. "Done," as he hands over an empty cup. "Hiiiiii baba," to say hi to either brother. "Habitat, habitat," which were lyrics that our seven year old practiced over and over (and over) for his first grade show. Other than a few extra random tidbits, there's not much communicating going on with actual words. Throwing? Yes. Yelling? Certainly. Words? Not so much.

So I think to myself, hmmmm. What could improve this situation? Think, think, think. Sign language! That's it!  I never used baby sign language with the older two. With my oldest, it didn't occur to me. And, bonus, he really could have used it. (Sorry, kid.) The middle one just didn't need it and has been demanding that his needs be met since 2010 without so much as a five minute break. We have friends who have done it with great success, their babies telling them "eat" and "all done" as everyone cheers the little star on. So why not? Let's get on this horse, eh?

I chose one word, the sign for "more," so as to avoid the pointing/grunting/fussing trifecta, when in his head he's saying, "For the love of God, woman, I just need more crackers! MORE CRACKERS! Why can't you get on that?"

This is what he's supposed to be doing:

{picture happy, chubby baby calmly expressing his wants and needs with a simple hand movement}

And this is what he took away from the lesson:

(Oliver gets in touch with his inner Ross Geller)

So, have I taught him a life skill? Yes. Most assuredly to come in handy once he enters the real world. Or once his brothers hit the teen years. But for now, I have to content myself with a baby smiling at his loving mama, proudly bumping his fists together, telling me in not so many words to "f" off and get him some more damn crackers.

It would seem that the only thing left to do is teach him the sign for please.