Our Sweet Gwendolyn

Gwen verbally said the word “momma” about three years ago, and then just didn’t say it again! But she did continue to use the #sign for Mom, so even though she wasn’t verbalizing it I still felt really happy about it. Then a few months ago a wonderful thing happened and she started saying mama again, and with gusto! 😃 And I’m happy to say this behavior has not regressed. She now says “mama mama mama, mama, mama, mama mama” in the cute way she does in this video ALL the time, all while signing it by touching the side of her mouth. And now she ALSO says the phrase “okay mamma!”. Again, the simple word “OKAY” is so simple that it’s almost nothing, but to us it is everything. I have been working on this phrase with her for so long! Just look how PROUD she is that her mouth is finally saying what her brain has been SHOUTING all along! This is the mystery and beauty of #specialneedsdevelopment. It may seem sad that our five-year-old is just now saying mama consistently. But this is where our experience as parents to a child with special needs differs to that of others. Yes it is hard, but the amount of pure joy that you feel seeing your daughter communicate is indescribable. Because we have all worked so hard for it and wanted it so much, it feels more joyful than you can even imagine! We have so many more experiences like these to come, and I’m just so grateful I get to sit back and watch her progress because there really isn’t a more beautiful thing to witness in this life. 💕 #downsyndrome #medicallycomplex #shecan #specialneedslife