Carter doesn't speak

In case you think i'm overly worried, I need to tell you that i'm not -extremely- concerned, but my personality is just an overanalyzing type, so whether its a problem or not, i'm very aware of things - it's just how my mind operates.

Okay, Carter doesn't say ANY words. Truly. No. Words. At. All. He makes sounds - he can do the mamama, dadada, bababa, etc but he doesn't associate mama and dada to us specifically by calling us those words. If we say 'where's mommy?' he can find me, and can do so for all people/animals he "knows". He's smart too, he's not behind in understanding. He just doesn't talk.

I have gone ahead and filled out a development form at our local Parent Link Center for kids age 17 months to 18 months. He's only 17.5 months, so he's certainly closer to the beginning of the survey. I will redo it in a months time - and I will have his vaccinations in two weeks here where a health nurse will 'analyze' him also. Anyways, when I filled out the form he passed everything with flying colors (motor skills, problem solving, etc) but failed miserably the communcation section. I am monitoring him and am not pushing him to talk - but am definetly making the effort to encourage him to say -anything-....so when he points and grunts at something, I just make an extra point of saying "oh, are you looking for the ball?...THIS ball? Do you want this ball? the yellow ball? Here you go, here is the ball" ...I don't sit down with him and repeat phrases like "say ball Carter, say ball" because I don't want to frusterate him...I am just trying to focus on looking directly at him when I speak so he can see my lips.

The reason for that is I am curious if his delay is linked at all to his hearing - he has had so many ear infections. He can hear, that I know - I have tested him by calling his name not too loudly when his back is turned to me, and he will turn and look to me....but there are (very few) times he doesn't which could just be him ignoring me - kids do that sometimes lol. Anyways, I am just being proactive and paying attention to his development just in case.

Anyways, LOVE my boy! He's such a great personality and brings joy to me and our family. I am just a protective mama bear and have an over analytical brain :)

Quotes

I have put our family on a pretty strict and tight budget in order to get out of debt within (hopefully) two years - three tops.

In the meantime, I am working towards saving for a couple of home reno projects. In order to save I need to have a price to save for. So, I drew up and took my deck plan into Home Depot this past week, and they quoted me for the supplies (roughly) $2300 to make the size of deck I want (not including a railing). This would require us building the deck on our own. We seem to know enough people with building experience and know-how that I feel confident we can getter-done. Goal: $3000 saved to build deck

Then, my other project is my extension of cabinets (top and bottom) in my kitchen to create more kitchen space (storage and counter). I used the 3D Ikea kitchen building program and chose cabinets, countertops, hardware, etc, and the quote for my 8ft of top/bottom length cabinets is roughly $2200. Goal: $2500 saved to reno kitchen.

The other "small" project is my kids bathroom - I want to put a tub surround in their bathroom and paint it. Goal: $500 max and done by the end of 2013

Logan's birthday present this spring: Treehouse. I have not gone and drew up a specific plan yet - just in brainstorming stage, but i'm hoping we can buy all the wood and supplies for $500. Not sure if that's a realistic plan yet, haven't gotten that far :)

I need to plant a money tree....