Daniel is entering the social contract stage of toddlerhood. At least that's what I call it in my own mind. When he sneezes, he looks around expectantly. If you miss your cue, he looks at you disappointingly and says, "Bless me! Bless me!" and then fake sneezes to give you a second chance. If he burps (or, even more amusing in his mind, toots) he looks up at you and practically shouts "'Scuse me!" and then follows it up by practically bursting a blood vessel trying to repeat the performance.
This new-found awareness of social cueing shows itself in ways that don't involve body functions as well. If he hits or bites and sees how sad he has made his brothers or sister, his little face falls. On his own, he walks up to them, pats whatever part of them he can reach. "Sowwy. Sowwy." And best of all, he will walk up to us, lay his head on our lap, and say "Wuv oo," knowing that it will only be a moment before we respond back to him-- "Love you too!"
It's amazing to me how quickly infants and toddlers pick up on the niceities of language and social interaction. They have expectations, both of being treated courteously and of being kind to others, even if that kindness sometimes happens after they've caused harm. It reinforces my belief that children who grow up being treated with love and gentleness and dignity learn to treat others that way in return.
And of course, there's also something in the way he gently gives me a do-over when I'm preoccupied and rudely forget to play the game. To a toddler, language is all about give and take, and there's no way he's going to let me get out of saying my lines.
"Bye bye, Mama. See oo later."
*leaves room*
*comes back*
"See oo later, Mama."
"See you later, Daniel. Love you!"
"Love oo Mama."
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