The Speech Bump

Since all of our children thus far have been born 7 and 8 weeks premature, we knew and were told there would most likely be some development delays. Most of them have been minor and the boys have all managed to catch up. However, the one thing that has plagued all three of them is speech development.
When Caleb was 2, we panicked about it and got him into an early intervention program right away. However, we always felt like we panicked too soon and felt like it was only slightly beneficial when we were forced to stop at 3 years old (their cut off). But he soon caught up and is now right at the top of his class and even learning a 2nd language on top of it.
When the twins started showing many of the same speech delay signs as Caleb, we discussed it with the Dr. who suggested early intervention again. We talked it over and decided against it. We didn't panic this time. We decided to ride it out a while longer and be more patient with these two in hopes that it would naturally take it's course and like Caleb they would start catching up when they were ready.
They are now quickly approaching 3 years old in April. This last month and a half, speech is doing exactly what we had hoped for Zaden and he is starting to explode with words, right into 3-5 word sentences and started to parrot us (yes still very late, but getting there). We are pleased with his progress and have been very encouraged for him to have a voice.
However, Zaric is struggling. He is starting to fall far behind Zaden and is getting more and more frustrated all the time in certain situations. We believe this is due to his inability to communicate with words (instead of just pointing). So we decided it's time that we intervene with him and get him headed in the same direction as his brother. We started with the ENT at his last ear tube check up. He still has one of his ear tubes in and the ENT thought that maybe his speech problems were do to a hearing loss. He tested his hearing twice over the last year and both times he passed with flying colors. So that's not it. He recommended a rehab office to us and today we had our first appt. The lady doing the testing came to the conclusion (just as we already knew) that there was definitely a delay there.
So now we have been put on a waiting list to start services there. It will take a month or more to get in most likely and in the mean time we just keep doing what we are doing and a few other tips and tricks that she sent home with us. We don't know how often we will go yet or how long this process will take, but we are ready to buckle down and do what he needs to help him.
Wish us luck!