hi

Bridget's saying "hi" now.

The first time I realized she was saying hi was a couple of weeks ago. She got a talking book for Christmas and the first thing it says is, "Hi, there!" She was sitting on the step down to the family room playing with the book when, suddenly, it sounded like "hi there" came out of her mouth. My head whipped around and I looked at her. She didn't say it again, though, so I wasn't convinced. Maybe it was just my imagination playing tricks on me.

But about a week ago, Bridget started saying hi in earnest. Often, she says it as she's sticking her arm straight out in the air (her signature "Heil, Hitler" version of a wave, which she's got to stop before people think I'm raising a little anti-Semite). She always says it in a little sing song voice and draws it out to two syllables: Haaa-iiii! Daycare Auntie said that Bridget said hi about fifty times yesterday. When this girl learns something, she makes sure she has it down pat--and charms everyone around her when she's doing it.