Sharp as a butter knife...

 Yep, that's me. Boy, I really amaze myself sometimes...I never said I was the sharpest tool in the shed, but today I really showed how clumsy I can be. Having OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) in my family (more than one person!) I try not to over worry about little things...you know like how many syllables or words are in a sentence and if that number is even or not...nor do I worry whether someone puts a spoon in the left side of the sink when it's clear it always go in the right (sarcasm)...but I do at least pride myself on punctuality. If I'm not early, I'm late in my mind, and I do get very anxious. Well, Gage has been planning to go to this birthday party for weeks. It began as a spend the night deal on Friday but was changed last week (I was glad, hard to send them to a stranger's house overnight!!) So it became a daytime party from 2-4. Great. Now this is for the little boy who asked me last week if I could bring one of those neck things to the party for his family to wear. He was referring to the FM mic his teacher wears for Gage. Love him, he was just thinking of Gage, and his needs (adorable!)

We received the correct invite w/date and 2-4 clearly written and numbers to call for directions. Well, I knew we would be 30 min late but w/a party from 2-4, I didn't think it would matter, it was a babysitting thing w/Brook, who I was not about to take! So, I realized we had no gift. Gage stayed at my mom's a few minutes while my sis and I took her little girl and Brooklyn (since she couldn't attend the party) and these girls dragged me from fingernails, earrings, clothes, and over Wal Mart before I managed to actually get a nine year old boy a gift. Fine. We rush back home so I could call for directions before the party started (fearing they wouldn't answer the phone during the party)...at 10 min til 2, I make a connection, ask directions to this house which I have no idea where it is but I'm writing everything she says so I can take it w/me. Remember, we're in the country so directions are like "turn in front of dairy barn, not chicken house, wait for a sharp curve, second double wide past the rock," or something like that. I tell her we will be there, but we'll be late, don't wait around on us, we'll show as soon as possible. She sounded as if we really weren't invited but I said my goodbyes and hurried to get kids situated, Brook happy/content though she's not getting to go, Gage off the computer so we can hit the road...and we're off and it's 2:25, fine. The house is only about ten min. away and I feel confident I'll figure it out when I get there.

Miles down the road I say "Gage, hand me my directions out of that gift bag." Gage digs, digs, no directions. I stop in the middle of the road next to a pasture, I'm frantically searching.....nothing. "Great, we have no directions." He says, "Just call them back" which would have been great had I not written the number on the same sheet as I wrote the directions. Fine, I go by memory and circle these people's house like 8 times before I'm certain this is the right one, only...there's one car, no sign of a party...it's now 2:50. Great. Gage is on the edge of his seat w/anticipation, I'm a nervous wreck, I'm never this late, how rude!!

 I decide to try and find the boy's grandmother's house, we've passed it before on the way home from the high school before (when I've subbed over there). BINGO!! We are in luck, the little boy is outside w/some other kids playing. I hop out w/gift in hand, hug this darling child, ask him if he had his party, he says, "Not yet, it's tomorrow." **SMILE**

At least I wasn't late!

She's reading!

One thing I'm sure of, I could not read this well when I was six! Great job Brook. Not to mention they've already started AR(accelerated reading) test on their books!!!!!

We had a great weekend, we rode four wheelers and bikes!

Hard to believe it snowed one week, sixties the next, now snow again this week.....welcome to Alabama!

attached to her broomstick

Brook was on broom duty yesterday as the kids tried to earn last minute ca$h before our trip to town. I hear her say,"hey, my coil keeps sticking to the broom!" I had not even noticed the broom handle was metal. She then found herself attached to my mom's front door when she and her cousin leaned up against it. She just smiled and put her coils back on, returning to a world of sound.

I wondered why Gage asked me the other night as we were going to bed, "when are you gonna wash some clothes?" I looked at the laundry and said, "Well, I guess in the morning, there's just not a lot there, I washed it all today, why?"

He giggles and goes to bed...

The next morning, I once again avoided heart failure when I opened my washer at five a.m. and found this...

Boys!!

He is doing so great on his medicine!! He's talking non stop but staying on subject (fantastic) he's still eating well even though loss of appetite is a side effect, so proud of little man. He's been a little emotional the past two days but he did that at first when he began the meds last time, by morning when he returns to school after the weekend off, he should be good to go.
And here's some advice, if anyone tells you, your deaf kid talks too much (I get this often, lol) smile and say, "aww, thank you!!" Because we worked hard for EVERY SINGLE WORD, each one is a blessing not a nuisance! (except for the back talk!) Right now our biggest challenge is having them listen first before they speak to see if anyone else is talking, we have an issue w/the kids interrupting (guess all kids do that, lol). It's funny how we worry they'll never say a word like Mama ('cause somehow they always seem to say Dada first!!), then sometimes we secretly wish after we've heard Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, so many times in a row, we wish they would just use the word Daddy!! And when they don't, you send them over to their grandparents or an aunt for a while, haha. And then when they get back and say "Mama" you can smile and say, "aww, thank you."

ME for a change

Gage has been working out, as we left for school yesterday he told me that was a 100 lb weight and he could lift it w/one hand....

Brook came to me w/a speaker cover (someone gave Gage a large speaker he could use for his custom built toys)and she held it up in front of her mouth and said,"okay, say mmmm". I just laughed and thought...you know this kid's had plenty of audiology...

Under my clear band aid is basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) and if you look closely, I have a new spot next to it which will have to be checked out. Surgical removal is scheduled for Mar 12. But, I have to tell ya, the story behind this. I've had many spots I've questioned over the years, all look different, some brown/black, most red, some flesh colored, a knot, so when several popped up on my chest 3 weeks ago, I said to myself...my kids are in school, IF anything should really be wrong w/me, now would be the best time to take care of these things before summer comes and we are home for 2 1/2 mos when I typically don't have time, or baby sitters which would allow me to run back and forth to a bunch of ME appts. As soon as I saw the spots, I told myself looks like basal cell, just like my sister has had and I went to the computer, found a doc I liked, called and made an appt. Just like that. I'm my main obstacle when it comes to taking care of myself, so w/out hesitation I decided, I needed to take care of ME. Glad I did too, I lucked up and all spots were cleared except the one under this band aid, so glad we biopsied several though, eased my mind and the doctor's as well! And I've already started w/advocating (I'm turning into that woman I guess, people will eventually avoid, lol). So I was standing in the check out line, two teen cashiers were talking back and forth, both wanting Spring to hurry and get here so they can start their tans (both were very fair) and I listened to them talk about using accelerators to try and tan, all kinds of other products but burned their skin instead of tanning it. I walked up, between them, pulled the top of my shirt down an inch or two, showed them all my bandages and smiled and said, "and when you get my age, you'll be finding yourself scheduling appts. to have skin cancer dug out of your body." Their eyes widened and they immediately had question after question after question. Let's just say, they may be using SPF 30 this year. I assured them they could still get some color but w/out so much burn and thus less damage. I've used SPF 30 for the past couple of years, but before that, less protection or even none at all and all those years of burning in the sun is exactly why I have skin cancer now........learning to have controlled advocacy here, careful not to become some know it all pushy lady!  Assertive not aggressive when dealing w/people, assertive and aggressive when dealing w/cancer, any form of cancer. I will continue to have the full body checks as often as needed, I really like my doc and feel very comfortable w/her! Don't put off going to the doctor...especially you busy mamas out there! Sometimes we have so many appts with our children, the last thing we wanna do for ourselves is schedule a doctor's appt...just do it!

And finally, Gage is doing wonderful on his new dosage of Concerta for his ADHD, we slightly upped it and he's back to being focused and doing well. His teacher could tell a big difference yesterday!!

a little adhd w/that hearing loss.......

Updates from 'round here.....

1. Mercedes Marathon went well according to my friend Jennifer who ran for Lilly (who has ci's)...she more than doubled her goal in donations!! That Bama Girl knows how to do it (you hear that TX? she's ours! just kiddin')
2. Brook's fm is broken, so it's off for repairs, she's having some difficulty hearing (obviously) without it but her teacher is a pro and is making sure she gets the info she needs without getting frustrated
3. Gage's Adhd meds have now been upped...more on that later, he begins the higher dose tomorrow. It's tough on parents just so you know (all you teachers out there) for us to make sure what we are dealing with. So yes, I will let him go three weeks w/bad grades, slipping conduct, and whatever else happens til I'm 100% convinced it's his ADHD. Since we've had to shut off six electrodes thus far on one ear, I've been dotting my i's and crossing my t's w/listening checks, equipment checks, behavior monitoring here and at school, comparing notes w/everyone and after 3 consistent weeks of really 'no good days' as far as his attention goes, I was convinced it was in fact his meds not working as efficiently. So he's being slightly increased (he was on the lightest dose anyway) and we'll report more on that as we know more.

And now for a big tease...Alabama will soon have an amazing resource for parents with children who have been diagnosed w/hearing loss, and guess what? It's ran by parents and backed by professionals.....so exciting...more on that later too!

a little bit country

and this was on the way back from picking the kids up from school on Fri. where classes were dismissed early due to the incoming snow...

But here's what I wanted to tell ya...I now know what I really sound like...my girl must have really good maps on those processors because yesterday, I heard her playing w/her dolls, walking around w/a stroller, her purse, fake cell phone, fake nails, and as she's talking, I realize how much she sounds just like me. She was in the middle of saying, "Oh are ye, are ye?" when she dropped her phone, you see her here immediately dialing the person back and then she says, "sorry, dropped my dern phone!"  Wow, I'm gonna really work on my English, lol...
I've already had first graders write 'git' for get when I called out spelling words one day while subbing...talk about embarrassed, I had to go back and give them another try on that before the teacher came back and found 20 wrong answers, she would have figured that mispronunciation out quick! lol

Snow!

Because even snowmen have ci's at the Blakely's house!

My husband built this sled when we first got married hoping for a good snow to use it in....well, it's been 12 years and he's finally had a deep enough snow here to use it! He's so proud, now I'm off to pull him around in it, he insist he HAS to use it since he built it. Good times today with a fire on the patio, and coffee in hand.

**oh, and the snowman's lips....some ABC gum I found next to the tree under a blanket of snow.
(already been chewed if you don't remember what abc stands for)

He's laughing at your implant...

I've been subbing a good bit this week at the school where my kids go. I am so glad I do this part time because I get to see things unfold, and happen before my very eyes and I can help my kids respond appropriately when needed (one kid needs all the help she can get! lol). So one day as I lined the kindergartners up for the buses along w/my two tagging along, Brook begins to giggle and points to Gage and says, "He's laughing at your implant." I look down and see an adorable small, chubby cheeked child wearing a puzzled look, pointing to Gage's ears and saying, "What is it?" Gage had not even heard the child, the noise level was quite high at time as you can imagine...end of a school day. I promptly responded and said to Gage, "He's not laughing, he's just asking you what it is." I look at the little guy and tell him that it's just like Brook's, it's an implant to help him hear." And we loaded the buses...end of that.
I later explained to B that just because someone asks her a question does not mean they are making fun, she needs to answer questions or the person will find answers from someone else, and they may receive an answer that isn't true. Gage is usually pretty good at this already but I stepped in because Brook was about to create a situation when it was unnecessary. Had they came home and told me this story, I would have likely believed someone was laughing at them, come to find out my other deaf, ci kid was the only one in giggles...to be continued, I'm sure.
*on the plus side, I have gotten more 'yes mams' at home since I've been at the school more, loving a little respect!

Cochlear's Hearing Heroes

I awoke this morning at 4:30 (not unusual since I go to bed before dark as my friends would say-not entirely true, I patiently wait on the sun to go down) and I walk past the computer, flip it on as I head towards the bathroom to dress for the day, throw clothes in the washer, grab a cup of coffee, and return to computer where I truly begin my day! Sometimes it's the most rewarding part of my day, when very few "thank yous" are heard after I've washed people's clothes, folded them, cook people food, did their dishes...at least at my computer, I'm know I'm doing good for someone, and appreciated for it. When I see someone brag about something they read from Deaf Village, or the Circle News , I know I was lucky enough to have contributed a little something.

As I sat this morning ready to read/moderate the blog entries for DV, I noticed an email from Cochlear. It was to congratulate me on being one of the nominees of their "Hearing Heroes". At first I figured it was thanking me for nominating Rachel Chaikof, the mastermind behind creating DV. I nominated her last year because of her contributions and devotion to the hearing loss world, raising lots of ca$h over the years for various organizations and for her hands on ability to share her personal experiences being a bilateral cochlear implantee, and most of all, because of her age. Most of us aren't avid volunteers in our early twenties!
But as I read further I realized it was actually congratulating me! I was chosen along with Rachel and a few others as someone's Hearing Hero. I feel like a Grammy nominee (teary eyed and all) but I do have to thank the mommy who nominated me *smile*, it really has made my day! You can vote here, but as cheesy as it sounds, I'm just honored to have my name next to those other fabulous nominees!

the lantern

I'm not perfect....faaaaaar from it. But the good thing is that usually learn something from any situation, good or bad and become better prepared should an event (good or bad) reoccur. One such event, sure to reoccur at some point in time, is a power outage in the middle of the night. Let me refresh your memory HERE about the last one.

I'm not even sure what caused last night's outage, light wind, no storms, no rain, but needless to say, the power was out for quite some time. Now for one deaf child, this went unnoticed, and even if he did awake to sheer blackness, he'd snuggle down deep in his covers and enjoy the silence and darkness. Oh but not the other deaf child!

One minute I'm talking to some lady at the park while kids play and eat snow cones, and the next minute I hear Brook screaming from across the park. I was about to put my book down and run towards the child who has climbed too high on the monkey bars and needs mom to rescue her, when my body jerks and I awaken to a semi-reality state. I'm not sure why I can't open my eyes so I stretch my lids as far as they will go when the cool air stings them and they begin to water. My eyes had already been open, it's pitch black, power must be out. I spring into action. I reach to the bedside table and grab my battery operated lantern that has sat there since last year when this very same thing happened. I grab it and begin to walk towards her room which is connected to my room with what I call the skier's slide. I never actually lift my feet because I know that her room is never in tip top shape and the last thing I want to do is press my bare feet down on a baby doll's fork or a colored pencil, so I slide forward one "ski" at a time while frantically searching for the darn button to cut the stupid light on! Finally I found it and there were those streaming tears of fear with a look of 'why did you do this to me' behind them (every thing is my fault if you didn't know, lol). I put the light next to her tv which is usually her source of light, and made my way back to my bed without further distraction. We went right back to sleep.

And before any of you suggest I give the child a flashlight to keep....we tried that with Gage. We removed the flashlight from his possession after random and repeated episodes of peaceful sleep was interrupted with a bedroom door flying open, flashlight burning my retinas and a voice shouting with urgency just like a Cops episode, "Mama, mama, my blankets fell off my bed."

Like I said, I've learned from past events

Questions Questions Questions

Oh girls are so different than boys! Gage rarely ever even looks in a mirror, he could go days without passing one and never think twice about it...but not this chick. She received the mirror to so she could check out those pretty new earrings without having to climb on my bathroom counter. She came to me asking why she had two big teeth coming in (a pair of molars in the very back) and then she turned around asking me why her coil snapped back on her head when she barely pulled it off. I informed her she had another magnet inside her head and the coil magnet liked to hug up next to the other magnet and she says, "oh." But she had no idea she had a magnet inside her head too, guess she thought it was just in the coil.
I had to go to the school today when she complained of static, turns out one of her receivers (the FM battery cage for her processor) wouldn't turn on, so off to the "shop" it'll go.
She had her first spelling test today and got them all right so she has NO HOMEWORK tonight, woohoo. (kindergarten spelling words were...I,a,my,go,he). Good job B!

On a side note, ADHD related...not sure Gage's meds are helping as much as they used to. He's been on them for four months now but I've notice a lot of inattentiveness the last couple of weeks!!! Not quite as hyper as before, but I'm walking right behind him, having to force him to follow thru on things. I have the school watching him as well, and grades have dropped as well. Not sure they'll put him on anything stronger since he's so tiny but he's on the lightest dose still.

Why are my ears so big?

Brook can not take her eyes off of her newly pierced ears! They don't get in the way of her CI processors at all and she's so delighted she braved the whole experience and is counting down the weeks til she can go buy some new earrings (has to wait 5 more weeks to change them out). She was looking in the mirror last night, turning the earrings as instructed and asked, "Mama, why are my ears so big and Gage's are so little?" I reminded her of his syndrome and assured her that her ears are just big compared to his, but she has average size ears.