No

November 24, 2025 — 8:11pm

Dear Reese,

Your favorite word is “no” right now. It’s very toddler-cliche of you. But there is something charming and helpful about you communicating so clearly. “Do you want to play the piano?” No. “Do you want to take a bath?” No.

It has also quickly reminded me of when I should be asking a real question, a question where you have a choice, and when I should be telling you what we’re doing. I have tried to modify on the fly in response when you answer “no” to a question that really shouldn’t have been a question. I try saying something like “then, we’ll take a bath in two minutes instead of right now.”

. . . I’ll work on it.

Sometimes, I believe you may just be saying ‘No’ because you know how to say it, and not because it’s what you actually mean. In a game of No or a head nod, there’s a lot of nuance that gets dropped. But you’re repeating more words every day. Your cousin Kai is on to two-word phrases just a few months ahead of you, and tonight MorMor was working with you on signing two words at once: “More, please.”

“No, thank you,” is one we’ll also have to practice.

Love,

Mama