A Nod is as Good as a Wink

The boys from Monty Python said, "A nod is as Good as wink to a bind bat. Nudge. Nudge. Say no more!" However, a nod is really good and I will tell you why... It is a behavior that my 17-month-old little girl has just mastered. Yes, Reagan can nod her head to signal that, "Yes, she wants more chicken nuggets." Or "Yes, she has pooped." Or "Hell yeah, she wants to go the pool."

This is relatively new development. And that isn't a cliche, this is something that she has developed. Prior to just three days ago, the only affirmative acknowledgement that you'd get from Reagan was a huge shit-eating grin accompanied by an understated giggle.

She's has been using the head-shake "No" for some time. It is a gesture ingrain in human DNA. Shaking the head back and forth to avoid being fed some gross, "delicious," disgusting, "good for you," strange smelling, "mmmm...really good" applesauce that "You really liked when you were an infant," but want nothing to do with as a toddler.

The no signal is easy. The Yes nod, on the other hand, take time to cultivate. It takes a thought process that goes something like: The large being that calls himself "Daddy" is asking me a question. What is it? He is once again asking me if I want to go to the pool. I thought I left standing orders that, I always want to go to the pool. I thought that since I took the time to learn to say "puuullll" it would be obvious. I mean golly gee, I can only hand 50 or so words at this age, so for me to want to incorporate "puuulll" into the mix, you have to know that I want to go. OK, wait, he's asking me again. How can I let this oaf know that I definitely want to go. Wait, he's moving his head up and down and saying "yes." I can't really do the "sssss" sound yet to say yes. Let me see what happens if I move my head up and down like Genius over there. Hey!!! He got the message that I want to go the pool. I must remember to use this up and down head motion.

An you really have to see her do the head nod, it like Spanky from The Little Rascals, real slow and deliberate. Up first, slowly and down all the way until her chin is on her chest and then slowly all the way up again. It is so cute to see.