Memorial Day

During Memorial Day weekend, Tom got out the blow up pool for the kids. Harlie just LOVED it! She couldn't get in fast enough. And even though her body temp was probably 90 degrees, she didn't care. I was a bit nervous at first. Um, water and a trach don't exactly go together. And the last thing she needs right now is water down her lungs. BUT, the girl needs to have some fun, too! So I let her. I think she knows that she shouldn't go in. I mean, fully in the water. On purpose. However, she did slip and fall in. Twice. She popped back up so fast that we didn't have time to react. And she coughed, and went on with her playing like nothing happened. Amazing.

Anyway, so she's playing and having a grand time. I'm sitting in a chair behind her just watching. She looks at me over her shoulder. Then goes to stand up, gets her balance, then drops the toys she was holding and then signs "fun" to me. I was so surprised! She's pointed at objects and identified them, asked for the tv, and asked for a diaper change, but her telling me that she was having fun, well, that was something! A spontaneous sign from her telling me how she was feeling. WOW! I loved it! And you really should have seen how much work she had to go through to be able to sign. It was a wonderful moment!!!

Then later during the weekend, we went to a friend's house for her birthday (I won't mention names, Donna). They filled up the pool there, too. And Harlie had a great time helping. At the end of the video, she signs "silly" - again all on her own, with no prompting! WooHoo!

Here are just a few other photos from the day:

Harlie spraying Zach and Murphy.

Me and Donna

Me, Donna and Dara