out vocalizations again, it happens once more. Over the coming weeks the baby begins to connect that sound—“da-da”—with the hugs and the smiles. Perhaps she hears other people making the same sounds and is inspired to make them some more. Over time “da-da” becomes more than just a random and intriguing combination of sounds. The baby has made sense of daddy—given a name to an exceedingly important feature of her world—by making something of the world. Meaning and making have come together.