Down syndrome ...Cora does it again!!

Early on came to the house yesterday afternoon.  It was the OT therapist by herself to work with Cora on some of her skills.   Cora has achieved eating off a spoon fairly well and is even making chewing motions with her mouth while she eats, so she didn't need much help with eating.  The therapist decided to try working on Cora's sitting skills and just kind of watching Cora and getting to know her.  (This was the new therapist who is taking Jan's place).

During the exercises Cora would take rests and look for me to make sure I hadn't left her alone. 
Then she would go back to work and smile at the Early On therapist.  After a little while of working Cora seemed to get hungry and it gave the therapist the perfect moment to watch Cora suck from her bottle and work on getting Cora to hold the bottle herself.

Cora wasn't to sure about taking the bottle from this new person but she did finally accept it and sucked on the bottle for about 2 ounces worth.  After the two ounces Cora kind of did a raspberry on the nipple and pushed it away with her tongue.  This is Cora's usual signal that she is done drinking and doesn't want anymore.  The therapist held the bottle in front of Cora and asked her if she wanted more milk, did the sign for milk, and then tried to give the bottle to Cora again.  Cora looked at her, closed her eyes tight, and made the sign for "ALL DONE".  Yep, you read it right.  Cora signed a new word and she did it at the right moment.  It was not a coincidence, it was a definite sign to get her point across to the therapist that she did not want anymore milk.

I laughed and smiled and said, "I guess she is done for sure!".  The therapist looked at me and said, "Did she just sign - all done-?" I told her "Absolutely!"  I have used this sign consistently with Cora, and so have my other kids, whenever we ask her if she is all done with milk.  Or to tell her we are all done with diaper change.  I also use it everytime there is medical testing and Cora is upset and crying or scared.  I stress telling her that we are all done with the use of the sign for "all done". 

Cora proved that she does indeed watch the sign language and she definitely knows what it means.  She shows that she has been watching and learning . She just needed to have enough strength to be able to move her arms and hands the way she needed to show this new sign.

Cora Jean has now increased her communication skills to four things.  The sign for "milk", a head shake for "no", a verbal "mama",  and the sign for "all done". She will grab your face softly between her hands and give kisses on your cheek and she will give Eskimo kisses with her nose.  And research tells me she wouldn't be able to talk (possibly communicate)  until she is at least two years old.  Seems like she is talking/communicating  just fine and learning how to get her point across rather well. 

 Cora giving brother a kiss good morning.