The Eyes Have It!

Background info for the post:
As you know, Tooter just turned two. He's a grand two year old, of course, and is a regular little two year old boy in most every sense. His physical abilities have always been right on target. He's a regular kid.

Except for the fact that he's not talking yet.

Now, I've heard all the thoughts on this situation - that he's a boy (they can develop later), he doesn't have to talk because his sister does it all for him (this is true), Einstein didn't talk until he was three (this is actually true - in fact he wasn't fluent in his own language until he was nine), and etc. Thankfully, Toot's grandparents all tell me to quit worrying, and Jmk isn't even a little bit concerned. (Jmk has a stronger faith than me a lot of the time. AND, he's just not a worrier. I respect that about him more than he knows).

And, even though Tooter's pediatrician has called in a referral to an early intervention program for speech therapy, (which we haven't started yet), she only did so because it was necessary to get in before he turns three, in order to access the free services. She feels like he's fine as well - that he's just a "late talker".

But, as you can imagine, when your two year old doesn't even say "ma ma", it can make for not only a long day, but also moments of worry even though you know you're not supposed to be worrying. Toot babbles all the time, and does use my dad's moniker of GaGa without fail. He communicates with us, albeit by pointing, grunting, whining, and using some hand signs. He will say "dah-de" with about 70% accuracy.

But, at a time when the milestone for beginning to speak is 18 months, and at two, a child is putting together crude 2-word sentences.... well, you can imagine that it's difficult for me to always remember that Toot will be fine. That I just need to be patient and wait for the explosion of words to happen.

That is why, when we have little steps forward, it is even more thrilling for me than the normal excitement that a mom feels watching her little one develop new skills.

So - what about the eyes, you ask? Well!!! Tooter has begun pointing to pictures of eyes - on Elmo, on pictures of animals, on pictures of people, etc - and saying..... drum roll please..... "eyes"!!! It is a very slow and deliberate "eyeths", but it is music to my ears. And, I think this is God's gentle way of reminding worry-wort me that I'm not the one-who-runs-things, and that I need to be more patient with the way our Father intends for Toot to develop. Toot isn't saying "mommy", but he says "eyes". Sort of like saying "SEE, Mom? I am going to talk. Eventually. Not right now, but eventually. Wait for me. Don't rush me - it won't help, and we'll all get frustrated in the process".

It's hard to be patient. But I'll sure take my "eyes" right now.