Why a.k.a Baby Elbows?

When my daughter, Clara  was four months old I started signing with her using ASL.  I signed basic signs like "more," "milk," "all done," and "please."  At seven months, she began to sign back.  We were communicating with out talking verbally (which she of course, she could not yet do). As, she got a bit older I continued signing with her, signing: animals, foods, colors, ABCs, etc.

At some point near the age of one and half years old, Clara received a baby doll.  She had been signing "baby" for some time (the sign for "baby" is holding your arms as if cradling a baby) and now she was talking as well.  I asked her what she would like to call her baby doll (pointing to the doll).  She signing "baby" to me saying "alba,"  so we named the doll, "Baby Alba."  My husband and I were both puzzled over the name, we didn't know anyone by this name and wondered where she got it from.  As I observed Clara signing "baby" I noticed her holding each of her elbows.  I pointed to her elbow and asked her, "What is this?" Her response to me was "alba."  Yes, she was saying "elbow,"  "Baby Elbow."  Ah, huh!, now I got it, anyway, the name "Baby Alba" a.k.a "Baby Elbows" stuck for the name of the doll.

Clara introducing Baby Alba to Mama.  June 2011

Photo of Baby Alba a.k.a Baby Elbows

As, I struggled to think up a name for this blog about raising my daughter in New York City as a Stay at Home  Mom, I thought it was only fitting to pick a name that came from a child, my child, therefore I chose a.k.a Baby Elbows.  As I embark in this new experience as blogger, I hope to share other similar stories about my daughter and being a Mom.