Just Another Obstacle

My youngest B has always seemed to have set backs.  In the womb he had to deal with a 2 vessel umbilical cord (aka "single umbilical artery").  As a newborn we found out he had a milk protein allergy, acid reflux, and colic (finding and diagnosing problems like these on a baby who cannot communicate their pain is a very difficult and frustrating process to go through).  This past year I took him to an ENT for a consultation on his extremely large tonsils (that are causing him sleep apnea) and during a routine hearing test we found he had a lot of fluid behind his ear drums that had caused some hearing loss (without this test we would have had no idea!  He never once had an ear infection).  Tubes were put in and immediately fixed the hearing loss.  Last week we had our consult to another ENT at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and scheduled his surgery next month for his adenoids and tonsils to be removed.  Today he had a speech evaluation and didn't pass.  He will be having therapy twice a week now. All of this and he's 2. 

(I know this is miniscule compared to other parents out there dealing with a lot worse and I feel guilty even writing about all of this in a way that seems like I'm complaining.)

When I found out today that he will need speech therapy I was upset.  I knew his speech wasn't as up to par as it should be at his age.  I wasn't quite sure what the "norm" was by experience because his older brother spoke at a very early age.  For whatever reason, I thought he would pass.  Afterall, he passed a state speech eval in Jan.  Since his tube insertions, his vocabulary has doubled (maybe even tripled!).  We can actually have a conversation with him and he can express his wants.  But, unfortunately, there are still a few times we cannot distinguish what he is communicating due to poor pronunciation.  He was tested on his comprehension today (which he did excellent) and articulation (which was not so good). Therefore, the therapist recommended he go to sessions twice a week. 

Like I mentioned, I was upset.  I cried.  I had a lot of emotions.  I was even grateful that he will get the help he needs.  One of my concerns is that I don't want him to be labeled.  He is an extremely bright little boy.  He and his brother are so different from one another but where one slacks in one area the other makes up for it.  For example, C talks A LOT and obviously B isn't as strong in that area.  B is very handy (meaning he is great with his hands), C couldn't use a fork until almost 4.  Both boys are very advanced, just in different ways.  Unfortunately, just because B isn't great with communication, I don't want him to be viewed any different and I want him to have the same opportunties and experiences as his older bro whom he adores. 

Despite his minor set backs and oblivious to them, B is just a happy, carefree little boy.  I know he will get through this.  I know he will succeed.  He's so precious to me and stronger than he will ever know!