Bears first word!!

It is never a good day when you hear the kind of news that Daddy Head and I heard several weeks ago.  We took Bear to the genetists in St. Louis only to hear a grim report that because of her genetic issue, she may never talk.  And if she does talk, it will be slow in the making.  All I could do was hope for the best and remember what our speech therapist said.

Gayle, our amazing speech therapist, had told me back when Bear had her annual assessment that Bear was showing all the signs and symptoms of being able to talk.  She was making the normal progression, but granted all she had been through, it was slow.  I just continued to sit back and hope and listen for any signs of words.

This past Wednesday, at the end of Bear’s session, that moment finally occured.  And it was beautiful!

Bear had been her usual self with Gayle.  She loves Gayle!  Gayle comes and Bear just comes to life!  She plays with Gayle, babbles at Gayle, and all around has a good time.  And, as usual, at the end of her session, Bear was cranky.  She crawls over to me because I held the promise of a paci and a nap.  I told Bear that if she wanted her paci, she would have to come up, up, up.  And then it occured.

Bear looked up at me with her sweet eyes and smile.  As clear as anyone could hope, she repeated, UP UP!  I looked at Gayle who quickly told me, I do believe Bear just had her first word!  So, with joyful tears in my eyes, I am reporting that my daughter, at 19 months old, has said a word besides MaMa and YaYa(Daddy).  She talked.

Now, if only she wouldnt be her usual stubborn self and actually say the word again…