Language Delayed?

Let me back up to his 1 yr doctor's appointment. Back in January, all Alex was saying was da-da. But EVERYTHING was da-da. He would say it when John came home or when we pulled in the garage like he was anticipating seeing him so I knew he knew John as da-da, but like I said so was everything else. When the Dr. asked me about his words I said he only knew one. So the dr. said he was "slightly" expressive language delayed. I was like "oh no! My baby is gonna need a speech therapist and he's barely one!" But then I've also read enough books to know and heard from enough mothers that babies do things on their own time and they don't always meet the milestones early so I calmed down. But still, I knew his next appt. would be at 15 months and so we had JUST 3 months to learn a few more words. In March we went to St. Thomas for Spring Break with John's family. During that week he exploded with new things. He started dancing, pointing to me when someone asked "where's mama?" (well about 1/2 the time, but I count it!), and saying "woof woof" and "moo." I knew animal sounds counted so now we had three words in his vocabulary. I was soo excited. I thought for sure we would have a few more by the time April 18th rolled around, but no. He is now 15 months old and knows three words. :) Sometimes when you ask him what a duck says he says "ack ack." And sometimes I think he says "hot" but it comes out like "ha." He says it though when he sees the oven or something on top of the stove, so that counts right? He even points to the toaster oven and says it. So just in writing this I realize he has more than 3 words. Because sometimes he also says "du" for duck. Does that count? When I told the dr. he had 3 words he said he was the bottom average of what they wanted 15 month olds to know.

The funny things is I wrote the top part of this post a couple of days ago. I had it saved as a draft and couldn't figure out how to edit it. BUT Just tonight he started holding his hand out and saying "stop!" When John would tickle him or aggravate him I put my hand out (like in the hand motion to the song "Stop in the name of Love") and said "Stop." He started doing it to John. It was HILARIOUS!! He doesn't exactly say the p sound but he's close and you can tell he's copying me. It's amazing how quickly he picks up on things.

Above are some pictures of Alex in St. Thomas

To blog or not to blog?

Hi! Well, I have finally created a blog. This is mostly to update everyone on pictures of Alex (our 15 month old son) and to be able to write down our memories of his childhood. This is very strange. It's almost scary and I'm not quiet sure what to write. I just keep telling myself that you don't have to read it if you don't want to and I'm not imposing on anyone's email.:) It's very strange to write about yourself and your family and what is going on in your life. But I think it is a great way for me to write stuff about Alex and how he changes so often so I can always have it documented.

Right now, we live in Birmingham, Al but will be moving to Tuscaloosa, Al in June. John got a job there with a private practice and starts in July. I have 19 days of teaching left before I get to be a stay at home mom-My Dream Job! John calls it a "sabbatical." I just look at him and smile when he says that. We have a lot of new things happening very soon and we thank Him everyday for all of our blessings. Above are a few pictures of Alex playing in the bath, in the box that his diapers came in and in our yard.