One million voices and Small Wonders Photography

Last week Vada and I were invited to come back to Small Wonders Photography where Quinn, the photographer was being interviewed for his work that he and his wife Anne are doing locally to help build Down syndrome awareness. Quinn was the photographer for the One Million Voices traveling Gallery of the Quad Cities as well as other projects for GiGi's Playhouse. Anne was the writer for the One Million Voices gallery and together they have not only created masterpieces but  voices that will forever speak in volumes, for our children young and old alike! 

After Walking

 It's interesting to me how much Vada must have been focusing on learning how to walk because for awhile all other activities seemed to almost come to a stop, that is until she finally mastered the fine art of walking, now I couldn't get her to crawl even if I bribed her with candy (which I wouldn't . Don't get me wrong, she still played and learned but I noticed especially with her therapies that nothing seemed to hold her attention for any real length of time. Now that she is an expert walker, she seems to be doing something new everyday and I couldn't be more proud of her or more excited of her daily accomplishments and let me tell you, everyday if filled with them!

Saturday at GiGi's, while we were waiting for Vada's friends to arrive, Jasmine decided to put on a puppet show. While introducing the puppet that she had named "Bob" (who by the way resembled a killer doll from the eighties movie Dolls),

Vada eagerly stood up and said "Hi Bob!" and then quietly sat back down as if she hadn't done something both shocking and amazing. She had never said that before. She does say "Hi Mom" and "Hi Papa" but never before had she said Bob and so quickly after Jasmine had introduced him. Its random, I know but it is also new and it is speech.

During breakfast this morning Vada signed "more cereal please", that was the first time that she has ever signed a three word sentence before. And then tonight as Justin was heading off to work she said "Bye Papa".  And then Kiliegh was saying that she was cold so Vada got up and walked away, only to return to Kiliegh with her coat! She's blowing our minds, this girl of ours! Tonight, before dinner I said something about someone turning off the t.v., guess who did it.., yep, Little Miss, she went right to the t.v. and turned it off then walked t the dinner table!

 Oh! One more. I almost forgot! V shakes her head for "no" now. So this Saturday when the DT came for the very first time she was surprised by Vada because when she would ask Vada if she would like to do this or that Vada would shake her head for no. Ha! It took the therapist three times before V said yes to something. I guess the third time really is a charm.

I love this age and stage. I feel like I have waited a long time to see all of these things come from Vada but the wait has been well worth it! So much has come in this last month but especially after walking. I cant wait to see whats next!

The Girl Who Inspired A Playhouse

Today, my family and I had the privilege of meeting GiGi Gianni - the girl behind the first playhouse and the spark that ignited the other thirteen Playhouses throughout the United States and in Mexico. In my eyes, she is a superstar and so is her family! It was an honor to meet her, to have my daughters meet her and to see her Mother again. I am so proud to be a small part of GiGi's Playhouse and to have such a wonderful place such in our community.

It was a dinner night for our local Playhouse and many people came to eat, have fun but mostly to meet the girl who inspired a Playhouse. GiGi  (and her mother, Nancy) gave a touching speech tonight, together the make quite a team! ...

***A special thank you to Kelli for taking these photos for me while I recorded the speech.***

This is GiGi at our local Playhouse. I wasn't there when this photo taken -  I copied this photo from Facebook.