Blah Blah Babycakes

Princess Golden Arches

About two months ago Henry graduated from speech therapy. (!!!) There was very little pomp and circumstance, but his therapist let him pick out a prize from the prize box.  You know, a little "Congratulations!  You're normal!" parting gift.  Henry chose a tiara.

We celebrated that night with a bottle of champagne. Henry continues to celebrate every day by talking. Intelligible talking all day long.  And I love it.  Except for when he divulges family secrets to his teachers:

Shhhh! Besides, it was Arby's.

Phone Conversation with Henry

"Hi, my name is Henry. I'm at Grandma and Grandpa's house, not Henry's house.  I went on a train and through two tunnels.  Goodbye."

Henry with his Grandmother

I Like Stars, Mama

When I hear other mothers complaining about how their 2-year old won't stop talking and it's driving them crazy, I have to stifle the urge to throttle them.  It's becoming increasingly difficult for me to listen politely as I'm told, "Once they start, they never stop!".  Um, yeah... that would actually be great.  Thanks.

I realize that everyone has the right to complain, no matter the circumstances. For example, this morning I was complaining about the ugly curtains in my house, but really I should be thankful I even have a house in which ugly can hang.  I'm being super hypocritical, but OMG, please shut up about your kid not shutting up!

Henry's new three-word sentences are music to my ears and I wouldn't care if he wanted to stay up all night talking about the same thing over and over, because it makes me so happy to hear his words and thoughts. We still have a long way to go, but I have him on a hefty dose of essential fatty acids, which really does wonders for kids with Apraxia and SID.  You can read all about it over at the Cherab Foundation.

My father came through Minneapolis last week and took Henry to see the Doodlebops. Never heard of them?  They are only the hottest Canadian rock n' rollers to ever hit the Disney Channel.

Grandpa, Cow and Henry at the Doodlebops concert

From the Planet Ork

I've shown Henry how to dip french fries in mayo and in milkshakes.  I've learned him that a kiss is the only cure for an owie.  I've taught him how to pick dandelions, brush his teeth, unlock the front door, tune the TV to Noggin, apply lotion and hail a taxi.  I cannot teach him how to speak. 

Me:  Henry say "car"
Henry: Nanu
Me: Say "puppy"
Henry:  Nanu Nanuuu
Me:  What would you like for dinner?
Henry:  Nanu!

In total he has about 10 words that I hear on a regular basis and maybe another 10 that he's said a few times and then never again. 

I get two kinds of advice. The first being not to worry, he'll talk when he's ready.  "My son, brother, cousin, nephew, gerbil didn't say a word until he was 12 and now he's really smart and totally fine."

The second is intervention, intervention, intervention!!! 

AS. SOON. AS. POSSIBLE.   These people are the ones I don't want to listen to, but they are the ones with the degrees and the years of study and the supposed expertise.  The ones that make me feel like a big, fat negligent if I just sit here and do nothing while my son calls everything a nanu.

The very first thing that had to be done was to test Henry's hearing.  I had no qualms about this. It's important to rule out a hearing loss, which could easily explain a speech delay.  If there is no hearing loss then it is suggested that we move on to a speech pathologist.

Of course, Henry's hearing test was inconclusive.  There were certain sounds that he didn't hear (or, in my opinion, pay attention to).  The audiologist thought that he may have fluid in his ears and sent us to the pediatrician to get his ears cleared up.  The pediatrician didn't think it was a fluid problem, but more of an excessive ear wax problem. (Some folks are just waxier than others, apparently.)  He asked me again, "How many words can Henry say?"  "Um, 15.  No, 10.  What counts as a word?  Does "nanu" count? If it does then 11.  He can say 11 words" 

Prescription = ear drops for two weeks, then test his hearing again and then decide on a course of action.

There is a lot of back and forth and a lot of poking and prodding of cute little Henry ears.   

Henry saying his favorite word "Uh-ohhhhh"

 

The Farmer in the Dell called, he wants his song back

Pediatrician's Office.  8:00 am

Me: Henry, do you want to play with mommy's phone?
Henry:  Yes
Me:  Yes?  Okay.
Me:  Doctor, I'm a little concerned that Henry isn't talking yet
Doctor:  Did you notice that he just said "yes"? 
Me:  He did?
Doctor:  Mmhmm, you even repeated it back to him.
Me: Really? Just now? Umm...
Doctor: And he said "no" to you earlier as well, when you took the pen away.  I don't think you heard him.

So there ya go. It's me who needs the evaluation and hearing test.  Henry's 18-month check-up was great. No red flags, nothing to be concerned about.  Although the pediatrician failed to explain why Henry bursts into hysterical tears every time I sing him a song.  Still a mystery, because i'm pretty sure i've the voice of an angel.

Potty Practice

Dis is dis?

I've been so worried and anxious about Henry's lack of words that I can't believe I completely missed his first phrase.  For the past 2 weeks he's been walking around saying "Dis is dis, dis is dis".  Nick and I would just smile and repeat it back to him.  "Dis is dis!"  Finally, Nick was like, um.. I think he's trying to say something..."this" as in "what is this?"  "Dis is dis?"  Sure enough he'd hold something up and ask "Dis is dis?" So now we actually answer his question.  "Dis... er, This is a book".  Yay motor skills!  The glass(es) of wine during pregnancy don't have to haunt me anymore.