Young [Margaret->] has in the last week suddenly started to grasp what language is all about. Kathy and I have considered ourselves pretty advanced in this area, as we’ve read all about how when your children are preverbal, you can teach them to use sign language for basic concepts like “please,” “all done,” and “gimme.” Our children, of course, have conspired to teach us humility, and have all refused to have anything to do with signing until they’re getting the hang of spoken language anyway. Figures.

Anyway, Margaret has a couple recognizable words now, and is signing away too, thanks mostly to Kathy’s tireless efforts. It’s absolutely heartwarming to hear her giggly “Dada!” coming from the kitchen. Even if she is pointing at the cat when she says it.