Speechless

Noah's vocabulary, two months ago: aball, adada, ababy, sort-of star, sort-of banana, sort-of car.

Noah's vocabulary, today and right now: aball, adada, amama, ababy, star, banana, car, truck, choo choo, boo boo, bye bye, bubble, pop, singing, bib, eat, ruff ruff, TV, yum, cat, bike, box, bag, hot.

He knows the signs for eat, more, shoes, cracker, cold, ball, star, banana, bread, play, hurt and cry.

He hardly ever tantrums anymore and walks flat-footed most of the time. He invents games and makes jokes and follows directions. He uses his imagination and knows most of the alphabet. His favorite book is Olivia and he likes to pretend to eat her spaghetti and meatballs. He actually eats spaghetti and meatballs. He likes to holler BYE BYE PEE PEE at the toilet. He thinks farting is hilarious. He thinks Dada is a god but when he is hurt or sad he only wants Mama. He wants you to chase him, to catch him, to tickle him and make him dizzy and then when the game gets to be a little much he wants to cuddle and listen to your heartbeat for awhile. He would like some yums. He would like a banana, Mama. Banana. More.

We've only had three sessions of speech therapy so far. We've worked hard; we've changed our entire way of talking and playing; we put fish oil in his juice and I teach Jason signs after Noah goes to bed. People have rolled their eyes at us in public, probably because of our exaggerated repetition and bottomless supply of signs. I imagine they think we're being pushy.  I imagine they don't understand Noah's odd pronunciation like we do, and I'm sure they definitely don't understand why each new consonant sound or sign that Noah imitates makes me clap my hands over my mouth with joy, or why I am so proud of a two-year-old who may have just possibly buzzed like a bee for the very first time.

It's all happening faster than any of us expected -- his therapist can't even believe it.  His progress is amazing.

I find myself at a loss when I try to describe the changes we see. I just don't have the words.

Luckily, I think he'll have them soon.