A while back, when I was pregnant with Rilla, I wrote about lying next to Wonderboy at naptime and watching him chatter in sign language before he drifted off to sleep. "I don’t think I’ve ever in my life seen anything sweeter," I wrote, "than a toddler signing 'love.' "
Well, I was wrong. Because what that boy is doing now is even sweeter still. He is teaching his baby sister to sign. He'll touch her forehead with his thumb, fingers pointing up: Daddy. Same sign on her chin: Mommy. He strokes her cheek in our special name-sign for Rose, then takes her through the rest of the family. Jane, Beanie, baby.
He forgets to name himself. He's too busy taking her chubby hands in his and trying to get her to cross her arms over her chest. She belly-laughs, beaming at him. She may not be able to sign it, but she knows he is teaching her love.
That really is the sweetest thing. What a joy to see love in action with the little ones.
Posted by: Jennifer G. Miller | August 31, 2006 at 10:20 AM
That is so wonderful! What a sweet little boy!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 31, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Two year olds are so sweet! This morning my 2 year old, Aaron, was counting. He said "Baby turn" and hit his hand on the high chair tray, trying to teach his baby brother to count, too.
Posted by: Mary Beth | August 31, 2006 at 10:46 AM
It is clear you are an awesome mother! Your children were never be so tender, loving and compasionate if they had not recieved it from you first! Have fun soaking up all that oowey goowey sweetness from your little ones!=)
Posted by: prov31wisemom | August 31, 2006 at 06:17 PM
So sweet. I can't wait to have more kids. It's the next adventure that I can't wait to have. Reading about your adventure warms my heart. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: mrscrumley | August 31, 2006 at 06:23 PM
Oh. My. Gosh. That is so incredibly, wonderfully sweet.
Posted by: Karen E. | August 31, 2006 at 06:31 PM
Please hug Wonderboy for me. He made me feel happy too.
Posted by: Sue | August 31, 2006 at 07:07 PM
How incredibly enduring! Precious!
Posted by: Genevieve | September 01, 2006 at 03:06 AM
Wow! I'm so inspired to keep working on sign with our son now. How special!
Posted by: Carlie Armstrong | September 01, 2006 at 07:20 AM
How beautiful and sweet. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your loving home, Lissa.
Posted by: Rebecca | September 01, 2006 at 07:50 AM
Oh my goodness... that is just beautiful!
Touching -- it choked me up!
Sherry
Posted by: sherry | September 03, 2006 at 11:58 AM