Ethan's first word

If you don't already know this about me, I like nature.  A lot.  I also like deer.  When I was in high school, there was some group formed to try to get rid of a bunch of deer in my hometown because they were eating people's plants.  I decided that in defense of the deer, I ought to start the "Anti-kill-the-deer committee."  That's how much I like deer. 

Fast-forward a bunch of years.  We live on 15 acres.  Most of it is wooded.  In the spring/summer especially, those deer have over 14 acres of foliage that I am thrilled for them to eat.  Because I love to see them, especially their adorable fawns.  But apparently when we landscaped, we planted a gourmet candy shop for the deer because no matter what we do, they consistently come back and eat our plants.  They're in our yard numerous times a day.  And they're not particularly afraid of us either.  

So, what does this have to do with Ethan's first word, you may ask?

Mason's attempt at discouraging the deer from coming too close to our house (and plants!) is to go outside and scare them away whenever we notice them in the yard.  The older boys have become quite fond of this ritual and consider it a responsibility of theirs now to chase the deer away as well. They run out onto the front porch yelling, "Go away, deer!"

One day, Ethan crawled over to the window and started saying "Gah gah gah" over and over.  I'd never really heard him babble that way before and he seemed really intent and serious, so I wandered over and noticed that there were deer in the yard.  I thought it must just be a coincidence until it happened again... and again.... and again.  Apparently we have trained our 10 1/2 month old to chase away the deer as well, and his first word is "GO" :)