His first word made no sound

My baby is 14 months old now! I have been so overjoyed at his learning to walk, but I even more have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of his first words! Since he was born, this was the moment I was waiting for. I heard sporadic things that sounded like they could be words here and there. The ever popular dada, a hi, a grunting mmmmmm for more? But I couldn't get him to replicate it to tie it as a request or a label.  Finally, about 3 days before mothers day, I realized that my son was talking to me - and I almost missed it completely! 

He was signing for milk every time I lifted up my shirt to feed him! This isn't a sign I regularly modeled, so I was surprised. 
Does it count as a first word - ABSOLUTELY! 
A word is a mutually agreed upon set of motor movements that communicate intent, protest, a comment, or label. 
My son was telling me he wanted milk! 

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Courtesy of babysignlanguage.com Click the photo for more information!

I am writing about this not as a brag, but as a learning moment. I almost forgot the importance of signing. I was so focused on getting him to use his voice that I forgot he had one in his hands. If I wasn't paying attention, I might have missed this completely.  Who knows what we are missing when we hyper focus on one aspect of our child's life. They show us what they know in many ways - even if it's not the way you were expecting! 

Just keep watching out for those little communication attempts so you can reinforce to them that you hear them and you understand them!