A Guide for Talking to Ian

Ian's current list of signs (in no particular order)

1. Dada: Our version: open hand, thumb to the forehead. Ian's version: hand above the head 
2. Eat: Our version: fingertips to the mouth. Ian's version: point finger to mouth
3. Brush teeth: Use your finger to pretend to brush your teeth. He also says "teeth" with this sign.
4. Diaper: Our version: fingertips to the hips. Ian's version: hands to the butt
5. Potty: shaking a fist (back and forth, palm out)
6. Chicken: Hands to the armpits, flap the elbows
7. Monkey: Scratch the armpits. Looks the same as Ian's Chicken. 
8. Alligator: arms extended, chomping motion. He just likes to talk about alligators.
9. Apple: fist, thumb part to the cheek, twisting
10. Kitty: fingers across the cheek (he usually holds thumb and forefinger together and swipes the opposite direction
11. Dog: Our version: hold hand in a "d" shape: thumb to middle, ring, and pinky fingers, index finger extended, touch thumb portion to your nose. His version: finger on or up his nose.
12. Lights: Our version: hold fist above head, open fingers down like shining a light. His version, open and close fist that encloses the thumb.
13. Book: Our version: hands together, then open like a book. His version, flat hands twist wrist.
14. Ball: Our version: cupped hands shape a ball from top to bottom. His version: flat hands twist wrist.
15. Truck: Our version: two fists, tap wrists together. Ian's version: fists together.
16. More: fingertips together
17. Hurt: index fingers together.
18. Swing: swing your arm, open hand, at hip level.
19. Outside: similar to swing, but a shorter motion, and nearer to the head.
20. Walk: Our version: hands flat, palms down, make tiny steps. His version, swing arms wildly, alternating.
21. Water: our version, three fingers tap to mouth. His version, flat hand to mouth. He also uses this for "I want something."
22. Help (as in I want you to help me do or get something): Our version: right hand in a fist with thumb up sits on left hand, lift the whole assembly up. His version, flat hands together, moved up and down.
23. Cold: Ian makes "cccc" sound and shakes his fists near his face. Not far from our version!
24. Hot: wave flat hand in front of face, blow a bit (like you've got something hot in your mouth).
25. Bird: Our version: first two fingers and thumb form a beak, open and close near your mouth. Ian's version: open and close fist.
26. Flower: Ian's version: hand on arm, wave other hand. Our version: one hand comes up through cupped other hand and opens.
27. Milk: Our version: open and close fist. Ian's version: snap fingers!
28. Cracker: Our version: elbow comes down on opposite hand. Ian's version: tap elbow
29. Cheese: rub palms together.
30. Ceiling Fan: finger above head, rotating. Also used for Helicopter (and airplane).
31. Butterfly: Our version: hook thumbs together, palms up, flap fingers. Ian's version, hand on arm, other hand waves. Ian also uses this to talk about moths and insects.
32. Baby: Cradle the arms and rock.
33. Girl: fist, palm forward, thumb across to the cheek. Ian has yet to master this one, but he's close.
34. Boy: hand like you're grabbing the brim of your ball cap, comes out slightly from the head. Ian puts fingertips to the head.
35. Deer: open hand to the side of the head.
36. Moose: open hand to the side of the head, move away to indicate a big animal. Ian doesn't differentiate between moose and deer.
37. Stinky: Our version: stinky face (!), pinch the nose. Ian's version: pinch (preferably someone else's) nose.
38. Owl: Our version: thumbs and forefingers in "O" shape, to the eyes. Ian's version: fingertips to the nose.
39. Giraffe: cupped hand to the throat, moves up. Indicates a long neck. Ian hasn't mastered this one.
40. Bunny: Two fingers extended, hopping along. Think little bunny foo foo. Ian's version, fingertips to the temple area.

The ones that he "hasn't mastered" are ones that he hasn't seemed to attempt, or at least not that we've noticed. Think you can pass the quiz? See if you can see what he's saying in these pics. I've got the answers in the captions so don't look until you guess!

Milk (nurse)

Dada!

Tricky one. Could be "eat" or "brush teeth"

Ok, trick question. He's saying "I'm sticky and I love popsicles. I'm sure glad that someone stripped me to my diaper. I bet I'm going to get a bath." in this one. Bonus points if you got that one right!