No Means Yes

I just realized that this blog was created for me to write about Yoga and life, but so far I've written mostly about Grace. Well, she's the center of my world right now. And, being her Mom is my Yoga these days.

I have to say, without being completely immodest and annoying about it, that I our daughter is brilliant. She has learned so much in her short stay on this planet so far, it's unbelievable. "She's advanced", my sister reports every time she sees her doing another amazing thing. And, I nod beaming. I still have to blink and shake my head to clear the thoughts of ultrasound images and labor contractions out of my brain to see that she is crawling across the floor and climbing up the stairs, waving her hand bye bye and clearly recognizing words like Daddy, kitty, milk, and many others. How did she figure all of this out already?

A week ago, she learned how to climb on Daddy's back when he asked if she wanted a "piggie back ride". The other day, she was greeting people in Wegmans with a wave of the hand and a cheery "hiiiyyyyeee".

Today, she learned that "no" means "no, and yes". Wait a minute...

Basically, Grace shakes her head "no" in response to any question. "Are you hungry?" No, and then she opens her mouth. "Would you like to play with this toy?" No, and then she grabs it. Or, maybe at first, she pulls away, then changes her mind and goes after it. Today, we played a joke on her...."is your name Grace?" NO, she shakes her head. In Grace's world, no means yes, or no, or maybe. No means respond when the voice sound goes up at the end of the sentence. No means I'm talking to you....yes, we are now having a conversation. Me and this person who was just a seahorse floating around in my belly a short while ago. Me and this little being who still drinks from my breast, is shaking her head at me and she really means it.
I can't stand it!!!

Of course, my new Mom neurosis caused me to think that I'm doing something wrong and teaching my daughter a twisted sense of morality. I need to somehow show her that "no means no" so, there's no confusion. I should have done the sign language, I think to myself. Oh no....will she only do well on the multiple choice and essay test questions in school? What will she do?

HEEHEE....dont worry Gracie....you are still my brilliant light. For now, no can mean yes, maybe and I LOVE YOU too. I'm just so excited to see how you are expressing yourself. I can't wait to see what you say next. I probably only have to wait until tomorrow...