andamu

Utter a few moans and groans, loudly, in short succession, and ask Angel Face what that is, and she would say "That's Doddamma getting up!"

whippersnapper

But I have been pretty loud I guess, all my muscles stiffening up when I sit, and turning me into a hobbling hunchback for many steps before the muscles relax enough to let me resume my normal graceful gait.
(Enough with the incredulous laughter already, you in the cheap seats!)

The sounds I make when coming down the stairs are pretty similar, with the added piquancy of complaining knees. So, the precocious poppet has been imitating (and perhaps even mocking) me somewhat.
But yesterday she started groaning when climbing up the stairs (usually not a problem for me) and doing so while she is not aware that anyone can hear her (in other words, not playing to an audience).
I called her over, and asked her why she was making those sounds. She said it is because her ankles hurt when climbing the stairs - and her wrists when she waves her hands.

I passed on the problem to her mother (the sensible thing to do, of course) and Nini thought that most likely it was just a little stiffness, coupled with play-acting.
But tonight the same thing happened, i.e. the noises on the stairs. Calling her to me, I was about to go through the ritual of "Where does it hurt? When does it hurt?" when she interrupted me.

"Doddamma, I want to tell you something," very earnestly.
"Yes, my darling. What is it?"
"Doddamma, my Mummy told me something today."
"Yes?"
"She told me all about blood," delivered with a very serious face.
I'm speechless.
"She told me that we have blood inside our bodies. Everywhere." And with that she is delivered of her important message, and I have no idea what to say.

So I hugged her instead. And tickled her of course.

Good night, my Angel Face. Sleep tight, and I hope we all get rid of these nasty old colds soon.