Sunday, July 12, 2009

A New Chapter Continues .....



















So much to tell about our time down here over the last few days but at this hour I wouldn't even know where to begin. Instead I will just leave you mostly with pictures.Besides sometimes pictures tell the best story of all.First and foremost, we are all madly in love with this new little life already. The boys are enamoured with her. Gentle and protective.As for Miss Zoey,well,she wasn't exactly sure what to think of Charlotte at first. Zoey would touch her really quick and then turn away just as quickly,accompanied with a most disgusted look on her face. We all were cracking up. By this evening she made her way over to Charlie's little seat lickity split and was rather interested in her. The big news, the really big news, is that Zoey has done her first sign. The background is this: Before we left the house on Friday, Taylor was sitting on the livingroom floor with Zoey. Taylor was talking to her and saying,"Is Caitlin having a baby?",and Taylor would do the sign for baby. Without Taylor placing Zoeys arms together,Zoey did it herself and we were like,no way.Just coindcidence. But Zoey continued to do it each and everytime we said,"Zoey can you say baby?" Once we got down here to La Jolla, we just kept reinforcing "baby" with her, showing Zoey Charlotte and now it's official,Zoey signs baby! We will say, "Zoey, where's the baby?" Zoey will put her arms together and sign baby. This is HUGE. Besides the fact that she is really making a connection with a word and using her body to sign, she is also placing her TWO arms/hands together. For Zoey, who has left side disregard/paralysis, she seldom, if ever brings her two hands together for anything. She is unable to purposefully use her left hand and arm and to see this gives us such hope that one day her left hand will at the very least be a really great helping hand to her other. When she does the sign for baby she also follows it with blowing a kiss almost everytime.So darn cute. This child amazes us all each and every single day.

Charlotte is beautiful. She has changed even since Friday.Most importantly ,Charlie is home.Right where she belongs with her mommy and daddy. Danny and Caitlin are so at ease and we are so proud of the two of them for how calm, cool and collected they are. Well, that was more then I had originally intended but I just had to share the Zoey story. More to follow .....

24 comments:

Stephanie said...

I don't even know where to begin. I am going to ignore ignorance( "we" all know what was written was a crock of cr-p) and move onto glorious Charlie. That baby is beautiful beyond words. I could feel the happiness and excitement of everyone just by looking at the pics. Caitlin continues to amaze me by still looking fab and now sporting a very cute tank top. Emilia is pushing 9 months and I'm not going anywhere near a tank top.

And... what super news about Zoey!!! She's got her life back and she's going to run with it! Miss Z is going to be making new accomplishments daily! YOU ROCK, ZOEY!!!

Thanks for getting into a pic! You look beautiful too!
Could write forever today, but better stop now.
Hugs and kisses to all!

Me said...

Beautiful pictures, beautiful family!! :)

Congratulations!!!!! ♥

Unknown said...

So sweet. Charlie is precious!

As for Zoey....YaHooo! Way to go with your signing. Too funny about her disgusted look after seeing Charlie!!!

Scrappy quilter said...

Heather what a beautiful granddaughter. she is priceless.

As to Zoey signing, that's AWESOME!! I'm celebrating with you. Incredible news.

A little story from our end. M only has 3 words (he is 19). Mom, his dad's name and tub. We never could figure out what tub was all about. On Sat. I gave him a bowl of popcorn (his favorite). A cup was in front of him w/o anything in it. Out of the blue, he picks up the cup, hits it on the table and says "tub, tub". It's the first time he has shown that he wants something. We knew instantly it meant water. Like you, we are estactic.

Our kids will continue to amaze us all throughout their lives, even if it takes years to do.

Hope you have a wonderful day. Hugs..

The VW's said...

What a beautiful family!!! What wonderful pictures!

YAY! to Zoey for signing and continuing to show the world how AWESOME you are! HUGS and CONGRATS!!!

Anonymous said...

yep Miss Zoey has made a huge jump forward. signing the word baby - well - little Charlie is her niece after all! therfore, she (Zoey) must show her niece the ways of the world! God sent Zoey first, and then Charlie so that they can march into the world together! Of this I am sure..

Wonderful, wonderful photos. Glad that Charlie and her parents are home - Heather you will certainly be heading "down the road" very often to be in this baby's life. and Grandpa too, when he is able

Congrats everyone!

Bluebelle

Unknown said...

Oh my isn't your family just PERFECT...so perfect. You should be so proud mama! 6 beautiful, kind, loving, helpful, giving, sweet souls you have raised and now all that you have given them, then are passing on to a new member of this wonderful family I am so proud to know and love. She is beautiful and I cannot wait to meet the little love!
Zoey continues to amaze and leave us in awe and wonder. Never underestimate this sweet spirit, eh!? She will teach us all...she will inspire us all, she will guide as all to happier places. With God, all things are possible, aren't they! Love you my friend!

Anonymous said...

Heather, Aunt Zoey signing baby is just beautiful! When Charlie is older you'll have to share with her how she was the first word for Zoey! Wonderful! Everyone looks beautiful! Christy Pinuelas

Reagan Leigh said...

Gorgeous picks! Thank you for sharing. I cannot even fathom that someone would think of posting negative comments about this beautiful family. You are a wonderful mother (I know you already know that) and Caitlyn is an amazing young woman. Not everything in life is planned by here on earth, God knows what He's doing and sometimes sees fit to redirect our lives. I think you have all done an amazing job with what you've been given and I feel blessed to have come to know you!!

Reagan Leigh said...

Oh yeah...GO ZOEY!!!! That is so awesome! You are one smart little cookie!

Jeana said...

Thats so awesome that she signed baby! What a wonderful addition Charlie is to the family, beautiful.

Hope said...

What a beautiful family you have. WTG Zoey on signing baby!!

Angi said...

Beautiful!!What a wonderful family..Caitlin looks awesome after giving birth..I would have never been able to post pics of me after labor:) Yay - for Zoey once again..she is AMAZING, I love to check your blog for more positive news on the unstoppable Zoey!!

Kele said...

HUGE!!!! That is sooooo exciting! I wish you would video her doing the sign!!
Everyone looks great and I am so pleased for you all!!

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

Charlotte is beautiful!!! Congratulations! I think she will be GREAT for Zoey!!!

My name is Sarah said...

Ahhh how precious. Auntie Zoey with her niece Charlie. So sweet.

Denise said...

I just love every single one of those pics!! I hope to someday meet all of your wonderful family!!! Way to go Zoey with your new sign!!

Anna said...

So glad there is happiness for you and yours this beautiful month of July! So excited to read of Zoe's signing and use of that arm. ;) So many beautiful and happy things for you rejoice over!

Much love to you all!

Kristy said...

Happy Birthday Charlotte Claire!! What a gorgeous little angel! Caitlin looks fabulous, the whole family does! Auntie Zoey signing?!?!? What a huge step for her! Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful pics of the "whole" family! Congrats to the Needham and McAuliffe families!

Cheri said...

Heather....how exciting for Zoey to sign baby with BOTH arms and to make the connection with her new baby neice!! YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!!! Baby was one of Reid's first signs too...just so cute to watch them do this and to see that they are making the cognitive connection is such a celebration! Yeah Zoey!!

Baby Charlie...so precious! :)

The Hearnes said...

God's grace shines bright through Zoey. Her value in this world is monumental, as she "signs with love" at the beauty of your newest addition to your family.

I can't wait to hug and hold those miraculous arms and hands real soon!!

We love you!
Bpb, Tish, Lauren and Paul

Shelly Turpin said...

what a perfectly beautiful little baby!
Congratulations to you all!

Victoria Strong said...

These are the most beautiful pictures of a gorgeous perfect little girl blessed to be in such a loving wonderful family. Congratulations Grandma :) And way to go Zoey signing BABY!!!

joella said...

Heather, I've been busy and haven't been on blogs for couple weeks. WOW what a beautiful family you have love the picture of ya'all, little Miss Charlie is beautiful, mommy looks good, I'm so happy for them. And Zoey signing baby, WOW you go baby girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are so amazing with how quick they can learn something, I love watching Presley learning all the new stuff she can do now. Zoey looks really good and healthy.....You are an amazing momma too.