Day 41 It is all about VOICE!

Voice, Voice, Voice!! Maddi began her day trying to say "Mom". She started out making each sound and then just kept at it until she could put them together. Once she finally succeeded she worked on "Dad", then did "Mom and Dad" together. Yesterday during PT, they put her on her back on an exercise ball to try and help her get a deep breath. That was just enough to "breathe air" back into her voice.

After those three words there was no stopping the avalanche of words that she must have been saving up. Of course, Brooke, Mason and Jacob were the next words spoken besides yes, no, dog and Maddi. She quickly went to saying, "I love my Mommy, most", " "I love my Brooke-e", "I love Daddy." I love Mason, I love my Jacob"

She quickly went from one word to phrases like, "Yes I am." "No, I don't", "Thank You". In the NTU at Primary's there are all these painted tiles on the walls. John was walking Maddi back to the room and she was naming all of the objects as she passed by.

I asked her if she knew why she was in the hospital and she replied,"It was a car accident. It hurt my head really bad." She also said right away," Let's go visit Brooke and Mason." I told her that we couldn't right then. I asked her also if she remembered Jacob. She said,"I remember, he is in our prayers always. On a mission" I can't begin to tell you everything she has told us. It is remarkable!

During PT the therapy dog named Elliot came by again. Elliot looks just like Josie. Maddi said," Looks like Josie." It has been so fun to listen to her talk today. Now just to be clear her voice doesn't sound completely like Maddi but it is her. It sound airy and weak but they attribute that to lack of abdominal muscle tone right now. She just needs to do a few more crunches.

During Music Therapy, she was singing Taylor Swift songs with the Therapist. She started by saying the words that the therapist didn't sing. Think of it as a fill in the blank but on the musical scale. Here again she went from one word completions to full phrases in one session. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

I am pretty sure that tomorrow will bring more and more talking. She will be singing along with the Music therapy people before too long.

She has also been "certified" to eat by mouth. She hasn't needed a tube feeding all day. Tonight when we did the math she needed a tiny four ounces to get her required amount. It is very unusual for a kid to be able to intake enough on the first real day of foods. Of course it is a pureed diet for now but that will change as her skills get better.

John and I have waited for 41 days for Maddi to ask us to stay the night. Today she said, "I want Mommy and Daddy to stay with me." We are staying over tonight for sure! She has been telling us so many things I wish I could share but I will let her tell you personally.

Listening to her stories is so fascinating. I have to be constantly in tune to hear what she has to say. She speaks so quietly if I am not careful I might miss it. It gives a deeply personal, earthly, grounded example to listening to a still, small voice. This really has nothing to do with the Spirit but then again maybe it does.