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Please help me find the invisible duck before I go mad...

190 replies

ICBINEG · 21/01/2013 19:30

Every night for the last two weeks my DD (19mo) has been raging because I can't see an apparently invisible duck.

She stands next to the head board of the bed (shown here ) and makes all manner of quacking noises and signs duck. I should explain that she doesn't do much talking, only animal noises and signing so far Hmm.

If I say "is there a duck?"

She points to the main cross over point in the centre.

If I say "where is the duck?"

She covers her eyes - which usually means hiding, or peekaboo, or the object I am talking about is partially obscured.

If I say "is the duck hiding?" She signs hiding again and looks all expectant.

I have not yet found anything to say after this point that does not result in a screaming fit of rage. Including silence.

If I deviate from the above script in any way she has a screaming fit of rage.

I am starting to feel like I am trapped in a 80's text adventure, the only outcome of which is a screaming toddler...

Please help me find the duck!

OP posts:
QueenStromba · 22/01/2013 15:34

This is the duck I can see.

CheeseStrawWars · 22/01/2013 15:55

Does she mean sleeping? Eyes shut = hiding? Cos the duck doesn't have eyes, it's just the shape of the head? And you don't eat when you're sleeping.

ICBINEG · 22/01/2013 16:04

possibly but probably not - sleeping is a different sign and sound effect combination....

OP posts:
TomDudgeon · 22/01/2013 17:17

And people do signing because it helps with the frustrations of communicating Grin

Tee2072 · 22/01/2013 17:34

What time do I need to be here for tonight's attempt?!?!

Grin
NorksAreMessy · 22/01/2013 18:00

is it nearly duck bed time?

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 22/01/2013 18:17

That round up is probably the best thing I have ever seen. Well done MrsReiver

RubyGates · 22/01/2013 18:22

I NEEEEEED TO KNOW!
Sorry Blush but I just need to know where the duck is Grin

FanFuckingTastic · 22/01/2013 19:03

Perhaps she's getting annoyed because she's meaning it's not a real duck, why on earth would you feed it. It's just a pretend duck mummy!

ICBINEG · 22/01/2013 20:45

Okay guys...big news here! The mystery is solved!

The duck is not hiding.....

the duck is....

upside down!

Okay so hiding was also true but I think it is the upside down thing that DD has been attempting to communicate for two weeks.

My suspicions were aroused when she signed 'hiding' for an upside down bath duck in the water....and were confirmed when in response to her signing that the duck was 'hiding' tonight I said "is the duck upside down?" and got a huge beaming grin and nod.

So In the end I don't think anyone quite found the same duck as DD. I think the main cross over is the tip of the ducks tail. The visible region of the oval shape is the ducks tail and back (the bit I thought looked like a fish body) an of course the rest (obscured by pillow/mattress) is under water....

It certainly explained why the duck was definitely hungry (coz going upside down is how ducks eat ya know) and why we couldn't fed it (we have a strict duck led weaning policy apparently).

I wish I had posted sooner! A resolution within 24 hours! Not bad MN....not bad at all.

On the down side, after brushing her teeth she pointed at the curtains and signed 'hiding'....so far there has been nothing more...no animal associated with this and no screaming with rage either....but I do fear what the future will bring.

OP posts:
RubyGates · 22/01/2013 21:01
Grin
GrimmaTheNome · 22/01/2013 21:01

Ducks are a dabbling - up tails all! Has she heard that poem?

Tee2072 · 22/01/2013 21:11

Duck led weaning Grin.

I think this needs to go into Classics!

cakesonatrain · 22/01/2013 21:12

Ah, brilliant [hiding ducky emoticon]

AudrinaAdare · 22/01/2013 21:14

This is the best thread I have read in ages. Duck-round up is awesome yes I have bookmarked it and I especially like the little feet on one of the pictures Grin

NorksAreMessy · 22/01/2013 21:15

Duck led weaning is brilliant
This thread is brilliant
Mumsnetters superimposing duck shapes onto pictures of beds is brilliant
And I rather think that icbinegDD is rather wonderful as well

Thank you Thanks

AudrinaAdare · 22/01/2013 21:15

Second that Classics nomination, Tee.

ICBINEG · 22/01/2013 21:15

DH has admitted that about two months ago they sang "all the little ducks go upside down" at the end of soft play....no doubt this has triggered the whole palaver.

I am one part "oh that's so cute, what a memory she has" and 9 parts "and you are just remembering this now DH? Now, after two weeks of yelling?!?!?"

OP posts:
MrsReiver · 22/01/2013 21:17

I'm gutted none of us spotted the upside down duck but very impressed with DD's imagination!

Duck Round Up is my desktop wallpaper!

ICBINEG · 22/01/2013 21:17

Oh I should add a massive massive Thanks to all who hunted ducks and made the suggestions that got us to what I can only hope is the end of this little toddler episode!

Hooray for invisible duck hunters!

OP posts:
MrsReiver · 22/01/2013 21:19

Thank you for all the kind comments Blush Blush Blush

Beehatch · 22/01/2013 21:19

Ahhh I love a happy ending Grin

"all the little tails go wiggle, wiggle waggle..."

ICBINEG · 22/01/2013 21:20

MrsR Please do feel free to add the actual duck to the list. I feel a gold ribboned finale round up would seal the deal on this wonderful thread (I would do it myself but I lack any artistic skills and apparently the imagination to find invisible ducks altogether).

OP posts:
ICBINEG · 22/01/2013 21:21

Makes me wonder if DH slept with the milkwoman so to speak....

OP posts:
MrsReiver · 22/01/2013 21:23

I'm on the mobile app at the mo but I'll get on it in the morning. Smile

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