Sometime this past week, Dorothy learned to say "bye" (or maybe it's "bai"). She would sometimes say "bye bye bye" when reading the end of Pat the Bunny (where the kids say "goodbye") and similar times, but it was sporadic, and required prompting.
This morning, I was holding Dorothy as Elizabeth loaded some items into her car before heading off to daycare and then work. Elizabeth came back in, and I handed Dorothy over to her. Dorothy turned to me, then without any prompting said "bye" as clear as day, waved her hand once, then turned away.
The whole thing had a bit of an "OK, Dad, I'm done with you, let's go" feel to it. But I guess she's just starting to prepare me for the next 18 years, as she continually goes "bye bye" for longer times and further away.
Is it too early to miss her when she leaves for college?
Posted by Tom Nugent at July 11, 2005 09:30 AMYes, it's too early. Stay in the moment and appreciate it for what it is...your sweet, innocent little daughter loves you and is secure enough to say "bye-bye" and believe it's not forever (yet) ;)
Posted by: Chris N. at July 11, 2005 06:11 PMThat's been happening over at our house too these days. At the tender age of 8 months, our little girl seems to be sowing the seeds of her independence. She'll wave "bye" and then leave us to play with her toys. Or crawl off somewhere more interesting. These days, she's so busy that she doesn't even want us to hug her anymore. She's got places to go, things to do, and people to see.
And though I'm amazed at her independent spirit...a little part of me dies when she turns her back on me. I guess you're right. This is all pre-emptive training for when our girls turn 18. Alas!
Posted by: MetroDad at July 13, 2005 06:26 AM