Behind The Scenes: The Sounds of Happiness

Phew! It's been a busy month and I feel like I'm still adjusting to these shorter school days. Little C is too. I literally feel like I haven't sat down -- between the usual park runs and fun, the IEP prepping, new schedule adjustment, and a behavior bump here and there -- in forever to write and share updates. 

But in the past few days, we have had some serious milestone moments {I'm talkin' BIG like Christmas moments happening over here} -- the kind you have to share with everyone because you're just so excited. A Camera Crew Tuesday post short and a kitchen full of dishes, I couldn't resist squeezing in some time to jump on the blog and share what we're up to.

...And what's making our girl happy.

Happiness isn't just felt in you heart and your soul -- it's heard. 

And it sounds like this:

We didn't just feel that happiness, we heard it loud and clear, as Chloe mastered a new goal tonight!

If I could tell you how long this has been a goal for her -- for her to be able to "blow" air out of her mouth so she can blow out birthday candles, blow bubbles, etc...I would. But I've lost track. It's been a while. But today -- our girl showed us how's it done. I literally heard her do it as I muttered the words, "She'll get it" to Chloe's tutor and friend, Jen.

Needless to say -- we were overjoyed!!

{Mrs. Dawn, if you're reading this -- I know you're jumping up and down right now!}

And C played like this on Saturday:

Tell me that doesn't look fun! ;)

Other exciting news? Our girl is starting to have conversations with us!

Case and point -- today I learned that when you ask Chloe, "How are you doing?" she will reply with "Good". According to Chloe's friend and ABA tutor, Jen, she mastered it last week but has yet to show it off to me. And you can bet I had a big reaction when I heard Chloe say it for the first time!

Jen: {Sitting on the couch with Chloe} Chloe, How are you doing?

Chloe: Good.

Me: {Dropped the dish I was holding} WHATTT!! Did she just say "good"?!

Jen: Yeah, she's doing that now.

Me: SHUUUT UP!! You're kidding me! {tears}

Jen: {getting excited with me and chuckles over my apparently, priceless reaction}

Me: Oh My God! I can't believe it! Chloe, that is SO good! Mom is so proud of you! {more tears} Oh Wow. Wow!

Chloe: {Smiling on the couch, with a it was nothin' kinda look on her face}

I seriously couldn't believe it. I still can't. We're absolutely beaming right now!

And when Stanton came home and C showed it off to him -- you can only imagine his reaction. That was the second time we both teared up today, the first being at the pre-IEP meeting with Chloe's teacher, when she shared how well Chloe's doing in her new class, especially since we transitioned her to modified school days.

Times are changing and we can slowly feel our girl coming back to us. She's hitting her stride again! :) 

So how's that for some joy spreading? ;) 

More updates to come!