University of Montevallo

To some extent she's right. Implants are almost impossible to buy. They are expensive (covered by most insurances) and you need a prescription (so to speak). That was her point. She went on to write "Save your money if you can't hear!!!"

We went to our (almost) annual visit at the University of Montevallo Monday afternoon to talk to the up and coming Deaf Ed/Speech Therapy majors. The kids' former SLP is the instructor/teacher and we had a great visit.

Everyone was very respectful again this year about our choices. There's almost always some students in there that sign only and this year was no exception. We had a bonus this year and found out one of the students was wearing a cochlear implant too! Neither kid wanted to talk.......at first. Then after they warmed up, they did fine. In fact, Brook stood next to me and mocked me as I spoke...fabulous. She really liked one of the interpreters (she's often present at events we go to and I've ran into this lady for years). Brook even wrote on the board, "The lady in the green jacket likes me." Gage brought a vehicle he'd created and spoke on that subject for a little while.

I discussed our background, Goldenhar Syndrome, school, FM systems, parenting, language opportunities, AVT, ADHD, and so much more! We talked about home life and how they communicate without processors on, and the difference between bilateral and hearing with one implant.

We hope we shed some light on how "normal" yet insane at the same time, we can be. The kids got a gift card as a reward which I happily bought them prizes with on Black Friday. We look forward to hopefully returning next year. My mother even came this year with us and she kinda warmed up and spoke a little too.

Ladies and Babies

We let Brook invite some friends over yesterday to celebrate her birthday...early. Being born on December 26, she's not had a successful birthday party in like, ever. The flu, strep throat, and other nuisances have prevented her from actually having that enjoyable, wonderful, celebratory birthday that she deserves. So when I had to cancel last year's party (again) I promised the child I would let her have one...well before December!

I thought of the theme Ladies and Babies. The first thing the girls did was drop their babies in a chair and leave them there. The adults were left to babysit a pile full of plastic while the ladies, who had on everything from heels to make-up, ran...screamed...cried....squealed and ran some more! But man did they have fun! Brook loved her special cupcakes I had made for her (by a professional) and I'm enjoying the morning after...where I have cupcake and coffee for breakfast! Yum.

Some of you may be wondering, how many of her friends are hearing impaired. I can tell ya, none. She is the one one. She is treated the same by them and no one even makes a big deal about. Thank you to all the "ladies" who came out to wish B a happy (early) birthday! She had the best day and is still smiling!

Today, the kids and I (with my mother as reinforcement) will travel to the University of Montevallo to speak to the up and coming Deaf Ed & Speech Therapy majors...very exciting! Let's hope we are all on our best behavior!

What is that clicking

Gage: "Mama, I keep hearing a clicking sound in my room. I don't know what it is."

Me: "Hmm, is it the dishwasher?" (His room is adjacent to the kitchen and the dishwasher was on)

Gage: "No, it's not that." He goes back in to listen some more. "Oh, I think it's you typing on the computer." He goes back to his room and he keeps going in and out to listen. "Nope, that's not it either. What is that sound?"

Me: I enter his room and close the door, so I can listen. When I realize what it is, I look at my child, hug him and smile at my baby boy who will kill me for calling him that. I walk over to the window, raise the blinds, and open the window. He smiled from ear to ear when he realized he could hear the gentle rain falling on the dry leaves outside. Brook came in his room and he said excitedly, "Brook!! I heard the rain!!"

Now that's a sound he hasn't heard in quite a while. He must have got a real good map last week!

Ear Tune Up

So thankful for all our Veterans who have risked everything to ensure we continue living our free lives.

We didn't sleep in our day off from school though, we headed to Birmingham to get Gman an ear tune up. Everything went great, he's still lookin' good as far as audiology goes. We go back on our Christmas break for both kiddos. Brook doesn't need near as many visits as he does but she will need a tune up soon we went ahead and decided to get both kids seen next month.

I am staying booked as far as subbing goes. I rarely have off days anymore but I like being busy. If I got back to the Accountant's office in January I'll just have to carve out a couple of days a week to do that and sub the other days. I actually like being at the high school this year. I'm over there as much (if not more) than I am at the elementary. I used to dread getting those calls but I've stuck with it, and now I like it.

PEEPS in the Park Nov '11

We had a great time at the PEEPS in the Park last Sunday. The Delta Zeta girls from the University of Alabama came out, they had snacks, they had face painting, crafts, games...the kids had a blast. We didn't have as many families show up as we usually do but I met 4 new families who have children with hearing loss.

The paperclip trick

I was trying to show her friends and teacher that a paperclip would stick to her head, even with her coils off. So when she got out of the shower, I showed, her. She thought it was funny.

And here's some of her photography. Her rabbit, in the cat box, wearing a pumpkin "lid".