It has started.... Why
It was the evening of January 1st. Hadley was downstairs with us watching TV, sitting between us on the couch, eating pears.
It is common for us to share food. She offers me something. I eat it. I offer her something. She eats it. We've done this since Hadley was born and I think it is nice bonding. She often offers me the first or the last of anything, without provocation and with a smile. And she isn't afraid to say no if she doesn't want something.
On this fateful night, Hadley offered me a slice of pear and I said no. I don't know why I did it. I just didn't want the pear. It was a good pear. Sweet and juicy but not too soft. There was nothing wrong with the pear, I just didn't want it. I said no.
And Hadley said, "Why?".
I nonchalantly replied that I just didn't want it, and then I placed my hand on Leanne and said, "Was that Hadley's first Why?".
"Yes," Leanne replied thoughtfully, "I believe it was."
Kids are funny with new skills in general but language in particular. Once a new concept has been tried successfully once, it becomes as readily available as a skill she has mastered months ago. I think I answered "Why" like 43 times today, and Hadley was out most of the day. But only once per topic, and not repetitively. She simpled wanted to know why, and when I answered, she moved on.
The age of wonderment has begun.
Comments
And... you got off with only answering 43 why's today. I lost count.