Miracle of Miracles

With so many miracles that we have been seeing, I wondered how many more we had.  Shouldn't we run out or hit our quota at some point?  Surely her progress will slow down and we will work on improving the skills we have, instead of getting new (or regaining old) skills we thought were beyond our reach.  Shows how much I know.

Today Angelee passed her swallowing test.  She proved to the speech pathologists that she could drink thin liquids without sending them into her lungs, and that she could eat solid food.  She hadn't been chewing before, but I guess she remembered.  We were all happy.  No special pureed or thickened liquids diet!  She is now on the "toddler diet:"  small bites, chew thoroughly, don't overload mouth, no choking food (whole grapes, hot dogs, lots of peanut butter), etc.

Her hearing test didn't go as well.  Her right ear passed but her left ear didn't.  We will have to have more follow-up tests with an audiologist later.

Trent was bouncing her on the bed and she started saying, "ahhhh."  With the bounce it was "ah-ah-ah-ah-ah," and made her laugh.  They did that several times, laughing at each other - and something clicked for Angelee.  She could make sounds!  It wasn't long before she was making the "uh" sound when toddlers are asking for something,or a surprised noise at something new.  Within an hour or two, she looked at a magazine picture, signed "baby," and slowly but distinctly said, "ba-by."  The dam broke.  From there she is on to "meow," "Da-da," "ow," "dog," and a dozen other words she knew.  Her favorite word right now is "on," and she says it over and over, just to hear herself talk.  She is also playing with the pitch of her voice, like a new baby does.  Wow.  I didn't know if she would ever talk again.

And saving the best for last - our little girl came home today!  She has to wear her helmet all the time except for sleeping, since they won't be putting the skull pieces back in for several more weeks, but she's home!  I am beside myself with happiness.  It will be nice to live with my sweet husband again, too.  I'm so excited, and scared spitless at the same time.  I'm not sure how we will care for her, but I love our family being together again!