My Sign

Esme' is three weeks old already. Our families who have come to visit and help out after Esme's arrival have all returned home. Rob has returned to work. Oia's weekly therapy regimen has resumed. Now, it's just me and the girls and I've been occupied adjusting to our new life. I'm tired.

But life rolls on.... Oia had speech therapy today. I loaded up into the car what felt like all but the kitchen sink and ventured into town with both kiddos in tow. My first time solo with both. On the way there, Oia and I were "talking" (but really I was thinking about how I just wanted a nap, or at least some caffeine). I typically understand very little of what Oia says and mostly I do a lot of agreeing and head nodding. At one point, there was a lull in our conversation so I said "Oia, I love you". I tell her this expecting no verbal response thanks to the significant language delay that we continually battle with, hence today's therapy session. But a few seconds after I told her that I loved her, I heard her spunky little voice loudly yell from behind, "Moooooooom!" So, doing what all good drivers do, I took my eyes off the road and I turned completely around to see what was so urgent in the back seat. And I'm so glad I did because to my delight, I got to see the words I've been dreaming to one day hear. I saw two skinny little arms crossed tightly over her chest and with the biggest grin you've ever seen, Oia was saying, rather signing, "I love you too."

No picture to prove it. No witness to see it. Just the memory in my mind that I can return to whenever I want, over and over again. For now, that trumps what any word or words can communicate. She told me she loved me and I heard her loud and clear.