Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

 

 

So, we've begun our immersion in Sign Language and Cillian is really, really trying so hard.

 

He picked up a new sign and was so proud of himself so I took a photograph of him doing "cracker" and a few other signs he knew.

 

I have two signing stories already. I'm sure I'll get more as we do this more and more in public.

 

At the last day of James' swimming, James was signing to me through the window telling me that he loved me and Cillian and I told him back that I was proud of him and he told me back he was proud of me. And then he made a shark sign after a J sign telling me he was a shark. As an aside here, I should mention that James is all about signing and thinks it is the most fun to sign in front of people because it's a secret language. He is such a quick study and a great teacher to Cills too.

 

So the lady next to me says, "Oh my gosh is your son deaf?!? Are you signing?!!? How cool!" I smiled and said to her that James was not deaf but is learning sign language because we're teaching it to Cillian so he can communicate/talk to us. She then asked me if Cillian could talk and I said yes, a little, but not enough to navigate through eating times, dressing, outside, tantrum-y inducing situations. She was really interested in it and it was nice to see someone enthusiastic about it. It was the first time I had to explain what we were doing to someone and it was weird but not uncomfortable if that makes sense. I think her excitement and kindness were helpful in that way.

 

The second time was when we were at a bike shop - James wore through his training wheels and we needed to get new ones!! - Cillian was signing for milk and I said and signed that I had no milk but I had water. I sign very simply - "I'm sorry - no milk - yes water" is signed while I say, "I'm sorry I have no milk but I have water." Cillian then signed "yes water" and I gave him the water I had. The man at the shop said do you know these signs? And he signed, "please, eat, and cookie." I smiled and told him what he signed and he asked me how I knew and I told him and then I asked him how he knew and he said that his youngest son has Downs Syndrome (youngest of 9) and that they told him and his wife that deafness was a possibility so they taught him sign language and one night at dinner, he was signing this over and over and he asked his wife what he was saying and she told him and he got him the cookie jar and he handed a cookie to everyone in his family.

 

I love people like this and I love the stories they tell and I love that I can share them. I hope I get more. For now, here's our little man signing away! You are the hardest working little guy I know Cills! We love you!

 

"cracker"

 

"yes"

 

"milk"

 

"All done"