Phrases

We think Logan started saying a few word phrases when he was around 2 1/2.  I say "we think" because looking back on videos he was clearly speaking earlier than we originally thought.  A few weeks ago we watched a video from when he was 18 months old.  In it, Logan was pointing to his ear and nose while saying, "eah", "no".  Yup, he was talking. We just didn't understand him.

People doubted us trusting he would speak when he was ready.  Some said that because we signed with him he wouldn't talk.  I knew this to be false given my knowledge of the Deaf community and hearing CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults).  Some suggested "early intervention" or speech therapy. None of this felt right to us.  We trusted he would talk on HIS own when he had something to share with us.  He learned how to crawl and walk when he was ready without any drills or classes, why should talking be any different?

Hearing Logan talk these days, you would never know that there wasn't a lot of verbal communication from him until he was 2.  The phrases, vocabulary and grammar he picks up just by hearing us talk, read books or watch TV is absolutely astounding.  Here are a few phrases that have made their way into Logan's every day speech that I want to chronicle for posterity:

"That's impressive!"
"Relax Mama.  Everything is going to be ok."
"Let me tell you, vanilla (ice cream) is good too."
"Maybe you will have better luck."
"I'm not a fan of hot things (to eat).  I'd rather have cold."
"I'll keep my eye out."
"Papa, go. Have. Some. Soda."
"There's a lot going on."

Yeah, he'll never learn to talk on his own.  ; )