Sign language and games.

So some of you know that I was trying sign language with Lara for awhile, but it just wasn't working. She would look at me like, "What is my crazy mom doing flailing her arms all over?" I would ask her if she wanted a drink (and sign "drink") and she would just stare at me. So then I just started asking, "Do you want juice?" without any signs, and then she would say, "ju" and point to her cup! So I have since given up on using any signs, she just doesn't get it (maybe the signs helped though...she just won't respond in signs...or respond at all because she thinks we are playing a game). However, she picks up words very quickly if there is a visual aid or a toy to go with it. We are 95% sure she understands that Dustin is "Da-da" even though, as most babies do, she likes to sing this word at random. She is still not saying "ma-ma," but I personally think it is because I am really not teaching it to her because I don't know how to make it apply to me, so I don't say it that often. She picks up words when we use them a lot, like "kitty."

Lara will sometimes get in very serious copying moods, where she will even copy your laugh-pitch, volume, and all. These are teachable moments! So this is when I teach her words, how to play games, etc.

She has developed her own game, and teaches me how to play, if I stop. She places her hand on her right ear and says, "HI" (I am guessing I unintentionally taught her this through using the phone). I do this, and we go back and forth. If I stop, however, she will lean forward and put her hand on MY ear, and say, "HI." It is very cute. Did she get my teaching gene?