On May 19th Little Bug communicated with me using a word for the first time.

You already know Little Bug is obsessed with the ducks that live in the pond in our neighborhood.

I was getting Little Bug to go change her diaper when she suddenly said, “Duck! Duck! Duck!” and then pointed in the direction of the ducks at the pond.

So I said, “Do you want to go see the ducks, Little Bug?”

To which she responded by smiling a HUGE smile with more “Duck!” and pointing.

I changed her diaper and when I was done she continued with saying “Duck! Duck!” and pointing in the direction of the ducks. (How on earth she knows which direction the ducks are located I have no clue, but every time she pointed she pointed in the direction of the pond which is located diagonal to our house.)

When we went outside Little Bug pointed straight at the pond and was SO EXCITED to see these ducks. It was precious.

The ducks were farther down the pond but started swimming our way once they saw us standing by the bank.

I decided to run go get some bread to feed them.

As I turned away it broke Little Bug’s heart. It was as if she was trying to say, “But Mommy we just got here!”

So I told her what I was doing and she was satisfied. (How does such a little person who was still in the womb a year ago comprehend all that?)

We came back with bread and the ducks (which I could now see are not really ducks but geese???) came right up to us when I started throwing bread.

The Mama goose would hiss at me for more. It was a little scary, to be honest! I wondered if the geese would come up and try to nibble Little Bug’s toes.

As I was nearing the end of our bread supply I was picturing this mad mother goose running after Little Bug and me as we went back to our house when the bread was all gone. So, when I had two big chunks of bread left I threw them as far away from Little Bug and me as I could, knowing the geese would run after them and it would give me some time to get out of there!

I took off running back to the house with Little Bug! As we were leaving Little Bug was looking behind saying, “Bye! Bye!”

Next time Little Bug requests a visit to the “ducks” I will stay farther away from them and I won’t be bringing bread!

- Elaine