Kamdyn's first sign

 When my other children reached all of their milestones without thought or effort, I took for granted those little milestones.  I never thought of the miracle that those first words really were.  Sure, we rejoiced over milestones, but it's a different type of rejoicing now.  I remember the repetitive "mommy mommy mommy" and "what's dat" that a young toddler echoed in my ear over and over.  And it did not have the meaning that it now does.  Because now I long for that.  I can't wait to hear my girl call her mama or ask what something is. 

So for now, I speak for her.  I look at her, her body language, and I know when my girl needs something, really needs it or wants something. I know that when she clenches her little hands together, and everyone smiles and says, "Look she's praying", it usually means she is uncomfortable, nervous, or feeling unsteady, but she can't say it. So I speak for her.  I know when a stranger comes up close and touches her hand, and she looks at me.  Like she's asking, "Is it ok, mama?" She can't call mama, but I know what she wants.  I know that when her 3 year old brother is playing, and he's started being too rough, and she gets that look, that she wants to say stop, but she can't.  So I speak for her.

And I will do that for as long as she needs me. I will be her voice.

But today, my girl signed dog.  And while some might think, "Big deal.  She signed dog.  All she did is pat her leg."  Oh, no.  It's so much more than that.  Today, it was everything.

It is a culmination of seeing and perceiving and comprehending and communicating.  It's all the pieces that came together to become the expression of her thoughts in that very moment. 

So today...................  my girl....................

she spoke for herself, even if it was just dog ; )


And some pics from our family filled weekend with my Grandmother and Brad' side at his family reunion.

Grandma Gorman at her assisted living home.

There was cotton candy,

snowballs,

complete with snowball mustache 

and lips stained red.

Don't forget shuffle board.  What old folks home would be complete without it?

There were quiet conversations on shady benches with kind strangers. 

And finally, face painting

and snuggles from RaRa.

Then on Sunday,

more snuggles

and playing with cousins.