5/15

For the last few years K has pronounced the words "computer" and "noodles" exactly the same.  It sounds like "new-der".  If you think about it, phonetically it makes sense.

I always ask her to tell me again and she will show me what she wants in sign language.

Last night I was cooking dinner and had a pretty big mess going when I hear "New-der Momma!"

I assumed that she was saying Noodles because she has been sick all day and had not eaten a thing.   I really didn't want to stop what I was doing and turn this into a teaching moment so I just told her that I would do the noodles in a minute.

Then I hear "Momma...compu.  Want compu".

aaawwwww....  My new favorite word is compu!!!

This makes me cry a little just sharing it with you.  Every word, and I am talking EVERY WORD she has, has been a hard won battle to get and keep.  K is in there, she has thoughts, questions, and emotions that all need to get out and be expressed.  It is so frustrating to her sometimes not to be able to make people understand.

Sign language is a great bridge because when she can't make her mouth work she can still use a sign and it has been the biggest blessing in our life.

I am so proud of K and Thrilled for her.  With no help or prompting from me  she reached down deep and found a new word and used it to get her point across.  I could see pure JOY on her face when looked at her. She was proud too!

....and then dinner didn't even matter any more.  We took a moment to hug and high five, then we got her set up on the Compu.