Speaking Parts

Micah has delays because of his Down syndrome. We knew this when he was diagnosed, but not being fortune tellers we had no idea where his delays would be, how long he'd struggle with certain things and where our frustration points would be. But being the stellar parents that we are, we roll with it.

As if we have any choice.

Our dear boy had his 5th birthday this spring. We are rocked to the core of our world knowing that our baby is that old. Where does the time go?

Speech is one of his biggest delays. It's just not there. I sometimes make the statement to others that "he doesn't talk." This obviously gives the false impression that he's just too shy to talk because of the onslaught of unsolicited advice that I get to bring him out of his shell. I guess what I should be saying is that he "can't talk." But when I do people look at me so funny that I feel I should explain, and that became old a few years back. Not that I'm ashamed of my son. The complete opposite is true, actually. I'm his mama, for Pete's sake. I love his as is, no questions asked. And I expect others to accept him for who he is as well, with no explanations.

But still, speech would be nice. Communication is key to so many things in life. And it sure beats yelling, grunting, growling and teeth gritting. (On both of our parts.)

You cannot imagine how thrilled I was when he started saying "mamama." You can think you know because you have kids, and you know what it was like when you heard them say your name for the first time. But you don't. You didn't wait 5 years for it to happen. You didn't hear him say PIG before he said MaMa. You didn't hear him clearly and loudly say NONONO before he had any notion of calling for his mother. And even though you were thrilled beyond comprehension that the season tickets to the amusement park for the entire family taught him to say BUMP while driving over the speed bumps in the parking lot, he still did not utter any terms of endearment toward the woman who gave him birth.

But I finally heard what I was waiting for. He said Mamama. And he meant it. Yes, he really meant it. The boy uses my name as a curse word. When he gets super frustrated at things, he will lift his voice and growl "mamamama!!!!!" And he's mad as a wet hen. If the boy knew curse words he'd be spouting like a sailor. But since he doesn't, he'll yell his mother's name as an obscenity.

I am so proud.

25 comments:

KG said...

Aww - I know that exact tone. Mine does that "For the love of Jehovah, you biotch, FIX THIS SITUATION FOR ME!" tone when he says it, too.

And good for you for not making excuses for him. He is what he is, and you love him, damnit! And good for you!

Andrea said...

That is so great! My little ones all said "Dadda first!" So not fair. I love it when they say MaMa!!

Kellan said...

"I am so proud" - HA - you should be - he is such a gift!!

Hope you are having a good weekend - see you - Kellan

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

I'll take it anyway I can get it. I think Peanut is saying mom when she's whining, but I'm not positive. It's the only time she says it. She's just started saying dada with meaning and of course hubby rubs it in. I'm thrilled she's saying something, but like you, mama would be nice. I'm so happy you are finally hearing it even if it is in anger. They have to start somewhere.

Wineplz said...

even though Cooper has been saying uttering the noise "mama" since he was about 6 or 7 months old, it has never once applied to me. And even though he has only been making the "dada" noise for about a month longer, he already says "dada" about Justin, AND does a special "deh-dah" noise at Gavin. What gives???

(but still glad to hear Micah is saying mama, even if it's for all the wrong reasons right now)

Michelle said...

That post absolutely cracked up and made me almost cry at the same time. (That's a good thing, btw.)

Mister Man also had (fortunately, past tense) significant speech delays -- which have led to other delays now (or are symptoms of ???). When he didn't speak, I finally settled on, "He has speech delays" which seemed to help. Don't know if you've tried that one yet. You're right that it still does sometimes lead to questions, but usually I'd just get an "Oh" and the conversation would move on.

And actually, Mister Man's first word(s?) was (were?) Nonononononono! when he was in the hospital with rotovirus and finally recovering enough to not want the nurse to poke and prod him. The combination of THAT was enough to make me cry (a child laying like a rag doll for two days is really freaky). Mama didn't come for awhile after that yet.

CanadianMama said...

You are right, I cannot understand but it made me smile none the less! Congrats :)

Suburban Correspondent said...

Waiting 5 years to hear "mama" - oy vey! Just shows how strong mother love can be...

Cecily R said...

I don't understand what it's like to wait that long to hear your name...and I won't pretend. But I get it. I get the feeling.

Evie doesn't say Mama. She looks at me, smiles and says Dada instead.

Jon says he tries to teach her MAma, but he lies. He secretly loves that she thinks of me as one of her feet and him as the best thing since Oreos.

pb&j in a bowl said...

Now, I'm proud, too! Way to go Micah!!

Burgh Baby said...

Further proof of Micah's genius. He knows Mama is the one that can fix anything, so if it ain't right, he's chanting your name. Go Micah!

Lori said...

You should be excited... every step is a celebration doesn't matter the age!

Pam said...

And proud you should be! It is a major event no matter what age it happens. Yeah for his growth and learning new skills!

Anonymous said...

I think we should all be proud of Micah. It took me a long time to perfect the mother as a cuss word.

just jamie said...

No need to explain yourself, or your child to strangers. But you knew that. LOVE that Micah put Mamama on the list. It must bring such a rush, obscenity and all.

Flea said...

Hmm. And here I was thinking I was going to change my name from Mama to Fred. Just not answer at all.

Leanne said...

I like it. Now I don't have to answer to Mama any more. AND

if I read one more blog about the Burgh Bloggers night out I'm gonna ah, do something.

Okay, I'm so jealous. I think I'll go out and find someone to throw a drink on me.

Michelle said...

I can only imagine how sweet that sound was coming out of his mouth - even if uttered in frustration! LOL It seemed like it took a long time for Kayla to say mama and then go to mommy, whereas she was saying daddy long before. Also she signed daddy, but never signed mommy with all those signs she knew! Go figure! It is wonderful when you hear words that were long-awaited!

Aimee said...

If you can't yell out "Mama" like a curse word, well then what fun is there in life? I was using that tone well into my teens, I'm afraid ;)

And I know what you mean about the talking - it's just so nice when it comes. Fiver used to call me "Na" and he was 3. Once we caught on to his hearing prob. and did speech ther., the words started coming. But until that point there was a lot of grunting and pointing.

He's a peach, Karen :)

Irene said...

I think it is incredible that he is saying Mama! Even if it is actually being used as a 'sort of' expletive. But hey, when you are five, who is the #1 person in your life that you need to fix everything and anything? Mom of course! Of course, sometimes even at 41 Mom still comes to the rescue..

Anonymous said...

I think we should start a national move to make it illegal for people to say, "He'll be fine," when someone shares their child's struggles. How about "Yeah!" when he makes a little progress instead of "I knew he'd be fine."

Shellie said...

That's great! I'm so proud of him too! That's funny how he uses it, but to tell the truth, sometimes I yell out Momeeeee! in frustration even today or I curse an Ay, mi madre! so I get where he's coming from :) The wait might be agonizing, but the reward is so much sweeter for the wait, isn't it?

Tootsie Farklepants said...

Congratulations Micah and Mamamama!!

Paula Lynn Johnson said...

Woot! Woot!

caramama said...

You are right, I cannot imagine waiting that long to hear it. That is so great that he's started saying it! Yeah for mamama!!!