Ian said "DA DA"

Let me start this post by saying that I know that my boys will develop at different rates, but I am constantly stressing over Ian hitting milestones. I think it is partially because Eli hit language milestones so early (he was saying da da and mam ma by 5 1/2 months). I know that when a child is working on developing one area (such as physical) that they are less likely to master another area (communication), and Ian has been far ahead of Eli on the physical milestones. None the less, I have been stressing over Ian not using any consonant sounds. As an early childhood educator, I know what we need to be doing (talking to him, signing with him, reading to him, singing) and these are all things we do consistantly. Ian recognizes the signs for nurse, eat and more and has copied us signing milk. We(dad, mom and Ian) play a little game where we touch daddy's nose and say "da da", touch mommy's nose and say "ma ma", touch Ian's nose and say "Ian" and he has started to touch our nose when we say "ma ma or da da". His receptive language is on target, but I really have been worried about his use of consonants.

But Ian has finally spoke a consonant! Today he said "da da" when playing with daddy and it brought tears to my eyes! I was so happy to hear "da da". And although as soon as I found out I was pregnant the second time around I swore that this baby would say "ma ma" first, Ian had other plans. I am sure that I would have bawled if he had said "ma ma", but that will come soon enough!