September 15, 2000 - Friday
Just a week at the new daycare and Harry has already learned to wave bye-bye. He actually did it for the first time yesterday at the prompt of Lily, his new daycare provider. She held up his arm and he moved his wrist up and down on cue. Of course, because Harry is so cool, he waves with his hand angled back toward himself. On the one hand, it's not really that big a deal, but on the other, it's a sure sign that Harry's reacting to words. Whether he understands the actual idea that 'bye-bye' means someone is leaving or that he's just suppose to wave his hand on cue is of little consequence really. The point is that he's starting to associate words with meanings.

Another word for Harry lately is "no." It's a concept we've realized is important for him to understand now that he's mobile. We'd been skeptical of the value of setting too many limits before he really understood why, but now that he can get into trouble, if not harm, we think it's time for him to know that some things are OK and some things aren't. He seems to be getting the hang of it, but still often seems to think it's a game.

Since his mother hadn't been there for Harry's first wave, as she was taking him away for his bath and bed I told her to hold up Harry's arm. Sure enough, on the cue of "bye-bye," Harry waved. It made his mother very excited.


Comments, opinions?