Over the past 2 weeks, we have seen some amazing changes in our boy. We don't really know what's going on in his little body that are causing some delays, but I do have my hunches. We have started him on probiotics and vitamins. We started 2 weeks ago. His changes began 2 weeks ago as well. Coincidence or not, Stevie is improving, and we are thanking the Lord.
His mood is so much happier and playful. The brightness in his eyes and face seems to have "come back." (I hadn't talked about this with anyone but Matt and my mom, but I had noticed in his pictures that they just weren't capturing my boy the way I see him. It worried me, it made my heart ache. His smile and eyes were back for our family Christmas pictures. I can't tell you how I cried with Matt over those pictures.
That's my boy in there.) He's
trying to talk to us. He still speaks in his own language as he used to, but he is saying so much more in "English." I have my little list of his words from before beginning Early Intervention, and now his updated list of his vocabulary. He has said more words these past 2 weeks than he has his whole life. I waited almost 2 1/2 years to hear him say, "Mom" (which has become "Mommy"). Matt waited even longer to hear "Daddy." I know some parents of children are still waiting...years and years, and that pulls on my heart deeply. Typically, he would call my name and then jabber in his language. He had some words like, train, plane, truck. Single words, expressive words (wow!), and "Mommy" were what made up his "English." He said, "Where are you?" for the first time when he was 17 months old, and he never went past that, and lost it too. He now, at 30 months, has some short phrases/sentences again. "I want help" (this helps him so much), "Where'd go?" "Here we go!" Yeah, he likes to "go." Signing...for just a few words....and his jargon are more his thing.
Two days ago, Stevie helped me bake cookies. He loves the dumping and mixing of ingredients. I think he ate his weight in chocolate chips, but he had a great time. The cookies came out of the oven, I set them on the counter to cool, and he said it. He said, "Mommy, I want ookie." I could've cried. Never before had he put my name in front of an English sentence. Never before had he desired a need or want with a full sentence. And, I think he's only said "cookie" once before then. He only wants to sign it. You better believe that boy got a cookie even though it was almost lunch time!
Yesterday, we had a rough day at Kids Gym, and I asked him if he wanted to go. "I want go." Do you want to go home? "I want go home." For us, this is huge. This is amazing. He has started telling me, "I need change." He has never cared about a messy diaper in the past, and now he's
telling me with words! He's also able to say, "drink", "juice", "milk", "snack", "lunch"....and so much more. At speech last week, I was telling his therapist about the changes we were noticing. I was praying he would show her. He often shows us better than his hour with her. That week, he said more words and had no tantrums with her. No throwing himself on the floor when the challenges were too much or he was unsure of what she wanted...or being unable to communicate his wants. There were three times the expectations or challenges were a bit much for him. Instead of throwing himself down on the floor, he reached up to Sophie with arms out for a hug. I observed from the other room with tears.
This is my boy.
We still have our struggles and challenges. We aren't out of the woods yet. We finally had his OT evaluation, and he will be getting those services. We have other appointments yet. But, Stevie is improving, and we pray it continues.
Probably my most cherished moment (well, maybe it's tied with the cookie sentence) has occurred twice. I enjoy a good 7th Heaven episode, haha, and Stevie cues in to the theme song. He's always liked music. Sometimes he'll bob his head to it. Well, I'm sure you've all heard the theme song. Two different times now over the past 2 days, he has sung one word. "Go." "Where will you
go when the world won't treat you right? The answer is home. That's the one place that you'll find 7th heaven." He has never sung before. Matt and I stared at each other with jaws dropped. He has the sweetest voice, holding that little note. "Wow, good singing Stevie. Mommy loves to hear your voice." And, I think that song is sort of just right for him these days. And go figure, he likes the word "go." The other time he sang it was the same word "go" or it was the "home." I can't remember because they sound similar and have the same long note.
His little voice singing. His sentences telling me his wants and needs. His bright smiling face. Prayers being answered. My boy is my Christmas miracle.
