I am sure the therapist working with your nephew will give lots of great tips to your SIL. Many times parents assume too much - kids point or grunt toward something they want, and the parent automatically gets it for them. You want to encourage kids to speak by showing them what they wanted, labeling it, sounding it out (b-b-b-book) and them having them repeat it (as best they can). Make sure they have had his hearing tested...many times a subtle hearing loss can attribute for speech delays. That is too bad that his other cousin's family pulled him out of speech. Sometime's it's not a quick fix....especially if other "stuff" is going on. The general rule is that by 12 months they should have about 5 words, by 2 years they should be putting 2 words together, and by 3 years they should be talking in short phrases. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions or your SIL is looking for more tips! 
I am jealous of you guys getting snow- we've hardly had anything (except ice, which is obnoxious and dangerous and I have fallen twice). I really want to take Vaylie out to play in the snow, though! 
I'm too practical, I guess. But, I do need a new purse and a new pair of New Balances. And some bras. Eh- we'll see. I'm also thinking of saving it for my "backyard theater" that I'm wishing for. (I want to buy a projector and an inflatable movie screen to have like a "drive-in" in my back yard!!!)
Personally, when I buy "everyday" jewelry- I usually go to NY&Co. or Lane Bryant, where it's always on sale and that way when I get sick of it, I don't care because I didn't pay a fortune for it. But, SIL will get a boatload of free stuff for having the party. 
SO, I think we're over the worst of it. Oh, and my nephew is in EI speech and developmental therapy, and I think it has helped him a lot! He is speaking more, but he is able to sign for a lot of things that he can't say, so he's at least able to communicate. He has made a TON of progress! 
We all knew it was coming, but it's still so hard. I keep remembering talking and laughing with the baby's mom when we were both pregnant at the same time, and we made all these jokes about how she'd find it easier to keep up with her little guy than I would because she's about 15 years younger than I am. Seems so long ago now, after all she's been through.Sad news at church today. The little baby boy who has been very ill died this morning.
I just want to hold Owen and hug him tight after this news, and it's so hard to let anyone else hold him today!
I don't even know I would deal with something like that....not well, that's for sure. My heart goes out to their family and they will be in my prayers. Big hugs to all our kids today... 
I was thinking about Alexander when I read that they should be putting two words together by 2. I do think he is a bit behind on language but the doctor doesn't seem worried. I am not sure if I should be. He's trying really hard but often many words sound identical though I know he THINKS he is saying different things. Words like turtle and tractor will sound the same.
I think you're on the right track with the pointing and grunting, b/c SIL says he understands everything they say and just won't respond. They did have his hearing tested, and that came back fine. They are a bilingual household, with primarily spanish spoken when both parents are home, and english during the day when only SIL is home, so that may further confuse things. Though we also speak both languages with DS, and he says lots of words in both languages. I guess all kids just learn at their own pace! I get alot of my "everyday" jewelery at NY&Co, too, they have some great deals. I also remember a store back in IL that I think was called Russ that had cheap, trendy jewelery, but it was also cheaper quality. I'm glad to hear Vaylie is doing better w/o her pacies, and that the therapy is helping your nephew. I think this SIL will keep her son in it, b/c she is really worried about him.
We'll all give our little ones extra hugs today. 
I never knew she was even pregnant. My sister says she emailed me, but believe me when I tell you that is information I wouldn't forget. Wow. I'm not very close to my family anymore but this still gets me. My niece will be 19 in March and here she is someone's mommy already. 
Good for you being the bigger person.
but I've needed some more time to hold him and that's the only way to get him to sit still! Sometimes reading stories also works, but a lot of the time he wants to hold the book himself and turn the pages himself and wiggles away. Sigh.
It's on Friday night, and we've already committed to babysitting a friend's DD overnight so we won't be able to go. 
