Writer’s note: I started writing this as notes for my grandson Link, but I figured why not publish it? Maybe it will bring a smile to you as it does to me. It’s directed to him, so the “you” in the narrative is Link.

I’ve been meaning to write down things you do. Like cute things I’ll want to remember. My mom did that with my kids, and I’m glad she did. It’s fun to read them again and remember.

Speaking without words

You communicated with me today. I mean really communicated.

I was feeding you, and I held up the fork and asked if you wanted another bite. You moved your hands quickly in front of you, and I started to repeat my question, the fork in front of you, when I realized: YOU HAD MADE THE SIGN FOR “ALL DONE.”

I was so stunned, I forgot to even try to get you to repeat it. I praised you, in English and French. You seemed pleased, too.

Later, you repeated the sign for “more, please” with your mum. She was thrilled. Truly. She even got it on video and immediately posted it to SnapChat, where everyone loved it.

So, even though you aren’t using many words yet that we understand (“beh-GAH” is a favorite, and “beh-DAH” a variation), you are communicating!

It’s like watching the wheels turn. Fascinating.

Favorite things

You love “Where is thumbkin?” I have no idea why, but it will pull you out of tears or boredom instantly and put a smile on your face.

You give this big cheesy grin when you know you want to express a big, happy emotion. It reminds me of Nicky’s “cheese” every time the camera was out.

You love selfies, but your first picture was of your foot. You had my phone and deliberately pushed the button to take a picture of your foot. I still have it. Now, you want to see yourself when anyone has a phone out, and you’ll push the button to keep taking pictures or videos. You also have favorite filters, like ones with ears or cutesy big eyes.

You like this little song I made up. “Hello, hello. How are you today? Bonjour, bonjour. Comment ça va aujourd’hui?” Then repeated in Portuguese. You will stop what you’re doing when I start to sing it, and you smile, especially for the French and Portuguese parts.

You also like it when I say good day in many languages. “Bonjour. Bom dia. Buenos dias. Salam.” Then we may add “Sawadee ka. Buongiorno. Dobro jutro. Guten tag.”

For a while, I only spoke to you in French when I was feeding you. It’s doubtful any of it will stick, but maybe you’ll have an interest in language later. It certainly can’t hurt.

The little things you do

I still remember the first time you gave a real smile to your mum. You were just out the bath, laying on the bed getting dried off. She was talking to you, and you looked at her and smiled. She about died, she was so happy. She cried. You just cooed and gave her such sweet smiles, the first of many.

Every time I put on my hat, you know we are leaving the house. If you have socks and shoes on, then you know you’re going, too. You will take my hand and take a “big step” down out of the door, then a smaller step off the patio to the sidewalk. About five steps along, you have to turn back to make sure Mum is coming. I have to reassure you that it’s OK for us to go to the car or down the sidewalk, if we’re just going for a walk. If I’m leaving, and you’re not coming, you cry. It nearly breaks my heart. Sometimes I will sneak out so you don’t get upset by my leaving.

In the car, you’re so excited when we back up to pull out. You kick your feet and grin. You’ve done that since you were big enough to kick and smile on your own.

You were dancing today. Mum and I were trying to figure out a new car seat for you, and you kept turning on the TV, so she put on “Blues Clues,” with Josh, the nerdy new guy we really like. Anyway, you were dancing around, swinging your arms, up on tiptoes, moving your whole body, clapping. It was such fun to see you interact that way. To understand they were dancing and you wanted to dance, too.

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How to Be a Better Writer Tip

Chronicle your experiences

I didn’t intend to write this. But, I’m not sure I intend to write anything. Often, it just happens.

I’ve been meaning to write down things about Link, as I noted at the top of this column. Finally, I started. At this point, Link is 15 months old. I’ve been putting this off for a while.

But when I started chronicling my experiences with Link, a column was born.

Perhaps it will be a way for you to write, too. What’s your experience? It can be something simple, just something you want to remember. Write it down so you have it now and in the future.