"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." - Shel Silverstein

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The Small Things

I can't explain it. It shouldn't mean as much as when she started walking, or when she was able to use her PMV, giving her a voice. But it does. It means as much, if not more. It makes my heart soar every time I hear her utter the word.

Marissa is finally saying "Daddy" correctly.

Oddly enough, she was saying "Da Da Da Da" as early as 14 months old, as shown in this video:


This was after being able to use her speaking valve for only about 3 months! She would only say this when she was looking at her Daddy or sitting in his lap, so we knew it wasn't just babbling. She even wowed her geneticist two months later when she said "Da Da" as she climbed into his lap.

But somewhere along the way, she forgot that she knew how to say her d's. While she was babbling, she would pronounce the "d" sound but when asked to say a word with a "d" in it, she pronounced it as a "y" instead. So "Da Da" became "Ya Ya" and then morphed into "Ya Yee". We were only slightly concerned, as her speech therapist said that some kids do this, for some unknown reason. It was not exactly a regression, more like a temporary blip. Her therapist had confidence that her d's would come back, so Jeremy and I felt we had to have confidence as well. She called Jeremy "Ya Yee" for the longest time.

Until the beginning of last week.

It started out as "Da Yee". Jeremy and I looked at each other in amazement when we first heard her say it. I wanted to cry. I was overjoyed at just this small amount of progress with just this one little word. Then, by the end of last week, she was saying the full word, "Daddy"! Now she says it all the time, with great love and gusto. Like I said, my heart soars every time I hear her say it.




What a cute, wonderful, precious little teacher Marissa is. It is like I was blind to the world before she came along and now I see everything more clearly; especially things others may brush aside as ordinary, typical, or no big deal, as I had for so many years. She has taught me to appreciate the small things.

And for that, I am forever grateful.

12 comments:

Anxious AF said...

I LOVE the small things! really though, they are huge!

The VW's said...

What a sweet post! And, what a wonderful gift to you and Jeremy! The small things are truly the best things!!! Hugs!!!

Colleen said...

Truly heartwarming!! What a blessing to hear those words!

Nana and PaPa said...

Wow!! Yes,...to the world, this may not be all that big a deal. But to you, Jeremy and Marissa, it IS the world! How FANTASTIC!! She never ceases to amaze us all. Keep on delighting in this everytime she says Daddy....it is truly a gift and blessing! Love you guys......
Nana & PaPa

Kendra said...

How fun and wonderful! And that video is the most precious picture of love.

Unknown said...

Isn't it amazing what we can leave from our sweet babies if we'll just slow down. I tend to get wrapped up in the big issue of life and forget to "smell the roses" sometimes. I am so proud of Marissa, it's a HUGE accomplishment! Glad to hear I am not the only mom who tears up at her babies accomplishments! UR a great mom, Alicia!

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Oh my gosh, I am literally sitting here with tears in my eyes!! How awesome is that. If my Peanut ever says Daddy, we will burst into tears and jump up and down. She says "mom" and "ma ma ma ma". Just this week she started the b sound. Ba ba ba . Maybe Da is next? :)

Marissa, you are AWESOME!

Lacey said...

Every little thing with our kids is a huge accomplishment and deserves great praise. I love it. I really hope someday to hear Jax sweet voice past the trach. Thats the one thing thats killing me right now. I so miss his baby babble.

Finding Normal said...

The little things are the best! How many moms can give that kind of detail over one part of one word? Our kids amaze me!
And J? Is totally wrapped around Rissa's little finger. Just in case you didn't know. ;)

Michelle said...

I knew one day she would get it!!! She never stops amazing me everyday with her abilities!!!

She is so wonderful!!

Love,
Auntie Chelle

Hope said...

I love this post. WTG Marissa!! The small things are the best things.

Shauna Quintero said...

I love the little things and I love the way you put it. It's a secret language amongst all of us moms waiting for little things every day. I totally get and completely understand it. I almost cried for you because I so get how much that meant/means to you.

Yay for Marissa! And I'm so happy for her mom and DADDY!