Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Reuben signing and signing ABCs, 123s and fingerspelling

Put your volume on loud. Reu has a beautiful but quiet voice! Me on the other hand...




OK it's been about a year so I thought I'd post a video of Reuben signing in the garden today. Watch the end of his numbers piece.. this boy's hilarious! For the uninitiated in American Signing Language, the alphabet and numbers are signed single handedly, but Reuben here makes a point of using both hands in symmetry. It's so beautiful for me to see this, the culmination of all the hours we've spent learning sign together from dictionaries in the early days, to flash cards in the playroom, Signing Time and SignSavvy.com

And I know many of you wouldn't have heard him speaking before. He first got a voice last summer when his throat was better healed and has been chatting away ever since, first with the speech valve over his trach, then with the cap over the trach and now... hey, the trach is no more! I sat down earlier to teach him the days of the week and his started reeling them off to me instead. Smarty pants!

9 comments:

Crystal M. said...

Reuben you are so cute, adorable and so smart!! I am so proud!!
Crystal and Eva

Unknown said...

He was magnificent! He can even do it behind his back. I am so impressed with your soft voiced child :) Good work, the two of you!
Lisa

Victoria Nelson said...

Getting giddy with you, Catherine!
BEAUTIFUL, Reuben! We are so impressed, and love hearing your sweet voice!
Much love,
Justin, Victoria, and Moriah

amy and mighty max said...

That was awesome...oh my goodness! My very favorite was the signing behind the back...TOO FUNNY!

He is doing great...WOW!!!

Anonymous said...

I LOVED IT ... Reu's voice is so precious and he is so SMART!!! You both are incredible.

Love, Tracy K.

hannah m said...

Vivian and I watched this the other morning and were so delighted to see Sweet Reuben! Reuben, you are a bright and shining star! We love you!

Kristi said...

This is so impressive... but I have to say, seeing & hearing him speak and sign spontaneously at Callum's party was even more mind blowing.

I never, ever doubted for a moment that these days were in store for you, sweet Reuben. Excellent job by you, your mama and your team of therapists and cheerleaders!

Tanya said...

I waited to watch this, knowing it would make me cry and it did. How awesome are you Master Reuben?!?! I am so impressed! You are an amazing inspiration, and I LOVE the giggles!!

Ketcham22 said...

Wow!! He is so amazing at that! You are an excellent teacher I am sure! What an amazing little guy you have!