A Brant Update

I couldn't post about my girls without also posting an update on my sweet boy, Brant. Brant has struggled with speech and communication pretty much since he was just beginning to talk. We've been in speech therapy since he was 2 and this has been such a struggle for me because I want nothing more than to know what is on his mind and to share his world with him. Being the talker I am (yes, those who know me know this to be too true), speech is my main mode of communication and it has been so painful to struggle with breaking through to Brant. I've realized recently that I've in some ways been trying less to have conversations with Brant and that really bothered me. I think it is just human nature to diminish doing things that don't receive much feedback, but since noticing this I've re-dedicated myself to really making an effort to speak with Brant--even if he isn't speaking back to me or answering my questions I know he understands and this is an important part of our relationship.

On a really positive note, I believe that his social skills classes are really beginning to pay off. My mom and family have really noticed Brant being more involved in the family activities and speaking to them more directly. At church this past Sunday, the Sunday school teacher told me that Brant was more interactive that ever--even getting up on the stage to participate in the songs they were singing. This makes my heart so happy and really reinforces the postive things that we are seeing at home. Brant is such a sweet and loving son and he brings such a joy to our lives. It is so wonderful to see him reaching out more and being able to really share in his interests.