Clapping

We first noticed Aaron clapping at our neighbors' house in January. Our neighbor Brad was sitting on the floor with Aaron and started clapping, when Aaron decided to clap, too. His right hand was open, but his left hand was a loose fist. I think he'd done this before, but I hadn't realized he was trying to clap.

In the last week or so, though, Aaron has started clapping with both hands open, fingers splayed. I find it adorable. He seems to clap at random times, as if he is practicing and not actually clapping in response to anything. He'll clap in his high chair during breakfast or playing on the floor during the rare times both his hands are empty. At both our yoga class and library story hour, there are songs we sing to the babies, some of which involve clapping. While everyone is clapping with the songs, Aaron just watches, but then later, when we've moved on to something else, he'll start clapping. Maybe he is trying to tell us, "No, go back and do that clapping song again!"

Last night, he woke up around midnight. As I was getting him settled back into bed, he was lying on his side - clapping. I guess it is never too late to practice a new skill.