[Warning: This post is loaded with the "awwww" factor" :D.]
So Manya has really been picking up words - she's still ofcourse on the one word at a time communication stage - no phrases yet (and I believe that is a long way to go) but she sure has mastered the skill of getting her point across. For example, "Out", "Walk", "Play", "Book" (which means I should read to her), "See" (This is when I exasperatedly ask her what do you want to do - the cheeky brat says "See".), and so on.
The cutest of these is of course is HUG, which basically means she is asking, nay, demanding to be hugged that very moment. This happens several times a day, and please note the smart pants' timing:
- She needs a hug when she wants to abandon her meal midway. (See this post on what other things she does for this.)
- She wants a hug when I am putting her to sleep - now try hugging a baby when she is already in your lap and you are walking with her. I explain (rather scream) to her that I am already hugging her but no - looks like there is a difference.
- She definitely wants a hug if her sleep gets disturbed at some god forsaken hour in the night.
- Just when I begin to eat or drink something, her highness comes demanding a hug.
- If I am at the laptop, hugs shall be needed every 3 minutes.
- Hug is also a topic changing strategy. If I start telling her a story that she doesn't want to hear or engage her in some activity that doesn't interest her, she cuts me midway and says hug.
- If I am talking on a phone, there is no way she can stay without the hug.
- Hug is also apparently a symbol of peace - a white flag that she hoists. If she is upto something that she isn't supposed and I happen to catch her, she quickly, in the cutest of tones, will say, hug. Ditto if I raise my volume or say NO.
