Kenzie "teaching" little B how to talk.
Little B giving it a try.

Kenzie uses an e-talk augmentative communication device which was purchased for her 3 years ago. It gives her the ability to resolve our misunderstandings. But, mostly it allows her to be social when for years she didn't have the tools to be. Sadly, before she made it through the Medicaid wait list (thanks to all the Colorado smokers out there for helping speed up the list, due to an increase in the cigarette tax), our insurance company turned down our request for coverage of the device. On what grounds? It was considered an educational device! (telling us whether or not she has a wet diaper definitely falls into the category of education, come on!!) Of all the insane excuses I've heard through this journey, this tops the list. Through generous, generous donations from friends and family and a fun day having a bowl-a-thon, we raised the $7500.00 it cost to purchase it. This is where the idea for the name of my blog came from. Mackenzie's voice, she finally has a voice. The one very unfortunate part of the device is that she is not able to program it for herself. How, as her mom, can I program it so the voice truely represents what she wants to say? Really, how would you like it if your mom always did the talking for you? She certainly wouldn't say all the things you would like to. All those wonderful things us moms hear everyday from our beloved little ones like: you're the worst mom ever, I'm leaving and never coming back. These, all examples of things I heard this week from my master communicator, middle child, A. What would you suggest I add to her talker?

What a difference a day-off can make!

Two days ago, Kenzie decided to take the day off. We usually have a pretty smooth morning before school, we get her sister off on the bus and then she and I get a little time to spend together while she gets ready for her bus to school. I observed very clear behaviors from her that she wanted the day off. Of course, she couldn't tell me but she patted my thigh during breakfast an indication that she wanted to sit on my lap (I love this "sign", because it means mom gets cuddles!!). When we moved over to the couch to get dressed she absolutely refused to sit-up. I'm not sure how to describe it but her body was entirely limp and stiff at exactly the same time. There was no way I was going to get her dressed. Every time I mentioned school she would get really upset. I got the picture...no school today!

Once she realized I wasn't going to send her off she relaxed and had a nap for awhile. However, it was also a beautiful day, sunny, 70ish degrees outside, so I opened the back sliding door so the dog could go in and out (he's always on the wrong side of the door). In a blink, Kenzie was out the door and half a football field away to our swing set. This feat is incredible! Upon arriving at the equipment she was half-way up the ladder on her own EXTRAORDINARY!!!! and then with very little assistance from me (by now I had made it out there) she was to the top on her perch. She loves to be up high looking out - I often call her birdie because of this and I think she looks a bit bird like - long skinny legs, very observant eyes.... Thinking this was a great chance to do a little strengthening, I put her on the swing. She usually can't sit up without her bottom slumping back and nearly falling off. Not today! She sat up straight, used her legs to move herself back and forth.... When did all this happen? Have I been sleep walking through this extraordinary development, or did it happen quite literally overnight???

The rest of the day Kenzie did sleep a lot. The next morning she was ready to go back to school, as if she had presented all of her accomplishments and therefore prepared to take on some new challenges again.

And then this happened:

A in the snow on May Day!