Speech Therapy Bags

I was recently reminded of portable Speech Therapy bags. The ones we mom of hearing impaired children have in our homes, in our cars, at grandma's, practically everywhere we go. We know kids need toys to help occupy them at those long grueling appointments and they love to play, so why not combine playing and learning? Going through AVT (Auditory Verbal Therapy) and Speech Therapy with both of my children helped me be prepared for opportunity teachings.

I have a list I have put together for some of the top 5 items I used to carry. I'm curious as to what parents carry in their therapy bags these days! You can view my list here on Influenster (click here).

We would change our items every couple of weeks or so (basically when mommy got tired of the Legos or tired of reading the same book). One thing to remember about these bags, your local thrift store can be a gold mine! Just wash the toys really well and your child will be learning for pennies! You can find great "odds and ends" and at my thrift store they bag up miscellaneous items like small figures, small doll house items, random cars, etc. which was PERFECT for us! I'd pay $0.59 for big bag of WORDS! Don't let great opportunities pass you by because you think an item is too girly for you boy or right the opposite. My daughter and I would use big brother's hot wheels to drive to all of her doll's houses! It's all about how you approach it!

I miss those days!

If you would like more information on how to be an Influenster, make your own lists, write reviews, and try free samples, CLICK HERE.

BSHM

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month and this blogger is celebrating by inviting guests to write on her blog. Today she's featuring the Cochlear Kids!

CLICK HERE TO READ

A quick run down

Here is a quick run down of all our blogs and what they are about since we have so many. We might possibly be the most blogging family I know! But we love to write and share and laugh and cry and love and have fun and.....

Brook's Blog-Buzy Beez Blog (click here) This is our newest, she's been begging for a blog for quite some time. Totally supervised she will share her thoughts, her art, her photography, etc. I do not edit her grammar or spelling but will add input at the bottom or in brackets as needed for interpretation.

Gage's Blog-He still loves to invent and create new things. He doesn't blog as often as the rest of us but he still like to show his creations to his buddies and family and anyone interested (click here)

The Road-becoming more and more popular, my spiritual blog. Nothing like feeling The Spirit and loving life both the good and bad (click here)

One Brick Shy-this is my humorous blog. I give very vivid details of my life as I make preparations to enter the world of insanity one day at a time (click here)

I have others that aren't as active-but these are my favorites. We hide very little around the Blakely household that's for sure.

Exploring the possibilities...

SOOOO, here's where we are now. Gage saw his beloved ENT surgeon today. As always, no symptoms today-I'm sure they'll return in a day or two though. Since there hasn't been any swelling/redness to note since the first of the year (which was prior to the 6 week treatment of antibiotics he was on) he's still not convinced that IT's coming back. It being the Staph (non MRSA)....

Again, we are watching and waiting, should something more present itself, such as skin changes or swelling we'll know that it may have in fact returned. However, our next step for now is to watch and wait. I may need to pull him off his ADHD meds to make sure they aren't causing the pain...Gage says the pain isn't a headache but again, he's only 10-so we have to make for sure...

After that, if he's not on his meds and he still has pain-we need to go to a Neurologist next who can help determine if he could have something else going on, like migraines...

But today is a good day, he has no pain and the doc and I agree that the last thing we want to do is surgery-took the child 3 months to heal from his last one (re-implant/device failure) ...

There's always the possibility that his Goldenhar (ear & jaw malformations) is aiding and abetting in his pain-which would mean he would need to learn to manage his pain in someway. We shall cross each bridge as we arrive and hope he has more pain free days than painful days!!!

One thing I am certain of-I don't at all think it's behavioral. He does this on the weekends also-not just at school...and the school actually wished he would complain more than he does. He'll make it all day in pain (never telling anyone) by simply taking each processor off and on to get thru the day (let each one take a turn resting)......so I don't for a second believe it's a behavioral thing.

We have audiology (mapping) on Thur to rule out any technical problems...and he also has an eye doc appt Tues...so we'll go from there!

IEPs are coming up-I have one on Friday and one the follow week (I think?) I live day to day and I rarely look beyond what I need to do in one single day, let alone the following week.

Also-if anyone is interested in writing for the online magazine Examiner.com like me-simply use this link to apply. They have a ton of available topics and you can also create your own if you'd like-be sure to use this link so they'll know I sent ya!   http://exm.nr/gN7aE6   I will concentrate on my writing more when school gets out. I rarely have time for it right now with two jobs and a family...but this summer, the two jobs will cease and I'll have some time.

I also bought my veggie garden plants today-I'm so excited to plant! I have 16 tomato plants, several banana peppers, cucumbers, squash, zucchini-and more to buy later when I see how much room I have left!!

And that's where we are.......

Crazy Week

I have resorted to doing bullet updates because I am only allowed so much time on the computer. There are really important things like Justin Bieber's new hair cut that MUST be googled over and over and over...

• so Gage has had some itching over the last few days, we'll just have to watch and see if it becomes more, landing us at the ENT's office...
• found another person going thru the same exact thing almost-her child has had issues like Gman and developed an infection and was re-implanted and again, experiencing issues, all similar to Gman
• I nearly broke my finger, I was playing football so no wonder! lol
• Brook may be getting strep again, she's only had it like 4 times since ?? Halloween?? It usually happens over weekend so we take an ER trip-this time, if it is strep, I'm taking her to the ENT to see if she needs her tonsils removed...do they remove those for continuous strep...she has it a lot and now it takes a shot and oral meds to get over it....maybe it will be nothing though!
• working my bottom off-between home-subbing at the elementary/high schools-accounting office-and my new dedication to spin class (and other random classes at the gym) I have little time left for writing or blogging!!

No more holes in his head...

That's right!!! Yes, it's still a little red but it's NEW, FRESH, UNINFECTED SKIN!! Best Christmas Gift Ever!!!

And here's what his new FM will look like. He still uses the same teacher's mic but he will now wear this around his neck (he doesn't mind)...have neck loop, will travel...my baby will finally be able to hear better in class now. I'll be setting it all up Monday when they return to school.

We're enjoying our break. I'm working at the accountant's office a couple of days a week, subbing will resume also next week. I want you to read about one of my favorite ladies in the whole wide world... Miss Pam.

For your viewing pleasure...some of B's photography...

Feeling Better

Two of the four Blakelys have been ill. Brook and I have likely had the flu or some other knock-you-down illness over the last week. We had been sick the week before, but got well for several days only to relapse, and severely.

On our worst night, my parents brought over two small bottles of bourbon. I was instructed to take a shot of it, go back to bed, and repeat this the following day w/small shots throughout the day. She poured me a tiny bit in a glass, I protested, but knowing she was likely right, I downed it in a hurry. I could actually feel it burn holes in my esophagus and rip my stomach lining wide open. I began to sweat. And I continued to sweat all night, and every time I took a shot I'd sweat more. So apparently sweating out the illness works because just a couple of days later, I'm much better!  Brooklyn's fever lingered but she's better now. Unfortunately, we had to cancel her b'day party Saturday. She will open her gifts today during our two Christmas events. We have to go to my Grandmother's and then over to my mom's so she'll get to have cupcakes over there and open the remaining gifts.

Gage is doing better. We are still watching the tiny spot. Still not completely healed but we have made major progress! Looks much better!

Also I figured out what a flashing orange light means on the N5 battery charger. I woke to find one battery light was green (meaning battery is charged and ready) while one was flashing orange. Weird 'cause usually the orange light stays on when charging and doesn't flash. After I tried and tried to make it stop, I realized it was disposable batteries, instead of a rechargeable one. Duh. So there, you go.

I have started back part time at the accountant's office where I used to work. I try to help them during their busy season (Jan-Apr) as needed. I get to make $ and I can usually slide in and out w/little training 'cause I worked there for years. I'm still writing (mainly as a hobby) for Examiner.com when I seem to only produce 6-10 articles per week...whatever I have time for. And I'm still subbing (3 days a week). So yes, technically I have 3 part time jobs AND remain full time mommy at home. After the kids get out of school each day, my working day ends, I do not allow any type of work to overshadow the kids, so I cut off at 3 and begin just being Mom. I go to bed early and recharge, wake very early to write and start my day at whatever job I'm doing for the day. But we are managing quite nicely, and I'm enjoying contributing to the family income...feels good. I somehow I feel better having an array of income sources rather than one...guess I feel safer that way..?

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone.

What's Going On

We've went right back into full swing since Gage has healed from his surgery. I'm subbing (a lot, yay!) and I'm trying to keep my articles up (see page heading Val's Articles). He has his next mapping appointment (ear tune up) on Friday and his Daddy gets to take him since I have a sub job booked.

Brook is doing great. She's been busy with her photography.

And I am finally taking a moment to post a learning activity I did with Brooklyn. I'm still amazed that she's only six. I don't get to brag on her like I should. I wasn't working a few years ago so you heard regular updates and Mama brags on Gage all the time. She is just as smart, I must say.

She had her Magnadoodles out and I asked her to write a noun on the first one (I reminded her what a noun was-yes they do this in first grade a little), a verb on the second one and a sentence on the last one using both the noun and verb she chose.
Her noun for this one-Wal Mart, verb-bought, sentence-I bought a baby doll at Wal Mart....Good stuff B!
Now, here is a prayer my two kids were rehearsing yesterday. At the bottom I think B tried to write that she was missing her birdie...that our cat murdered right in front of her eyes played with 'til it didn't wake up. Now, off to catch some ZZZZZZs so we can go to school and head straight out to G's new Dentist as soon as the bell rings.

Banana Popsicles

Remember when Gage went over to the local Children's Hospital to attend the radio-thon? Here's that story, he donated $5 and told the clown he wanted them to buy banana popsicles with it because he was having surgery soon...
Well, he was so doped up after surgery, he didn't remember. However when we went to the Children's South location a few weeks later when an incision popped open and needed closing in the O.R., he must have pitched a fit with the recovery nurses...? I do remember him groggily (is that a word?) telling me "They didn't have banana! I thought they would have banana!" boohoohoo...again, he was very hungry and I assured the nurses that he liked all popsicles, not sure what the big deal was about banana! Nothing was ever said again...not from him, not from anyone. We showed up yesterday at the same location to again, go to night night briefly while they carefully removed his 12 stitches. Not only did he come out with a banana popsicle, as we were leaving she gave me the whole box. "These are his!" and you could tell someone remembered, they were in their own little Publix grocery sack and everything.....I heart Children's Hospital !!! I took home a happy little boy!

Bloggers tour Children's Hospital

A few weeks ago, I received an email inviting me (and few other local bloggers) to tour Children's Hospital of Alabama and attend a luncheon. I of course accepted immediately, who doesn't want a "VIP" tour of the place I've spent more than a few nights in over the last 9 1/2 yrs? The other bloggers (Nanci, Birmingham Mommy, Andre, and the most adorable pregnant lady) were also invited to ride in THE LIFESAVER HELICOPTER but three of us had to decline. I had a sudden fear of my feet leaving the ground and my knees got weak so I decided standing on top of the hospital right on the landing pad for the choppers was as brave as I wanted to be today.

The hospital had their Christmas trees out and how cute is the one with the little smocks? I walked around taking pictures and it felt like yesterday when we were here at the end of '08 fighting the infection that took my child's beloved cochlear implant. There was no guarantee of ever hearing my voice again, AC/DC, firetrucks or anything else this child's world had been filled with. He was 7 when I asked him "Do you want to hear anything else buddy before we go to the hospital, anything at all?" He quickly answered no, knowing the pain it would cause just to put it on his ear with so much infection inside.

Reality suddenly consumed me when I realized I didn't have my son with me. This day had nothing to do with surgery, stitches, medical terms I needed to learn and bandages for my now 9 year old. Today, I was a visitor. I was with a group of fabulous people who loved to blog (just like me) and we had a luncheon to attend. We did visit all over the hospital, even the NICU where a nurse remembered giving Gage his PIC line a couple of years ago when she was in that department, I knew I recognized her!

Then we had lunch together over at the Children's Harbor with Mike Warren THE CEO of the hospital!! After we finished eating he chit chatted...

We all went around briefly telling about ourselves and my heart was about to beat itself out of my chest. What could I possibly say to this man concisely in a couple of minutes? Do I just say "Thank You?" No...I don't know him, I love the hospital and our doctors but I didn't want to give the common thank you. I ran several thoughts through my messed up head and it was my turn...

I gave a general idea of blogs (international, national, and local blogs I have or still do participate in or own). I then tell him my son's name is on that wall (Wall of Inspiration), and I tell him that we have spent a great deal of time there over the years. I then tell him in a nut shell that we are primarily associated with hearing loss and Dr. Audie Woolley, and before I know it, I'm moving to the edge of my seat and feel like I need my PowerPoint to show this man how wonderful the doctors and nurses are at Children's...but I try to keep composure...I suddenly say, "...and who in their right mind would be thankful for curse words but we are! Because it's something my children OVERHEARD and they are deaf" .... I even described how Gage feels so 'at home' under Dr. Woolley's care that he's been known to burst past the waiting patients straight to the back saying, "Woolley!!" ... I did throw in that although I knew our Doc was out of town now (he ran the NY marathon from what I hear!) he was supposed to return this week to do a procedure on Gage Thursday and any retirement, vacations, a leave of absence, all should be immediately refused because we need him here, in Birmingham! I told this man I've never really met before, that Dr. Woolley is the only reason Gage can hear, speak, rock out to music due to such complicated anatomy. I told him quickly how he researched, he stayed committed, he found a way for my child to hear. The CEO mentioned the Alabama School for the Hearing, how Children's had extended their staff for the school's use (AVTs) through the end of the year and he might not had expected me to jump in so quickly with a "Yes, but they need funding, seriously!" He described the school to the other bloggers and my turn was slowly fading as I watched the clock only three minutes from my "absolutely can't stay any longer, must leave to get the kids from school" time. I had to leave.

But what an opportunity! I was so glad they asked me to come. They were all so nice, and they said we could come back if we thought of something else we really wanted to see. Such a different perspective not pulling a suitcase or kids along with me. It was a good day.

The new do

Love the new do! It was his idea to cut it all off. I had intended to just cut the underneath part but when he was reminded about the doctors coming around the morning after surgery to pull all the head bandages off, he said, "Oh just cut it all off, that pulls my hair!" And it helped that his best friend who spent the night w/him Fri night has this exact haircut. He's all set. Bags are packed (I even was inspired to put up an article about overnight hospital stays, lol), I have B packed and ready to go spend a couple of days with my Mama. B will get to check out early tomorrow and come down to the hospital to see him when he gets out of surgery. I asked Gage what he thought about everything now that it's finally here. He said, "Well, I hate surgeries but I love attention."  Yep, he really said it. And he's getting plenty of it I assure you. I'm off to buy my final items needed (like a new Lego set *smile*) and taking B's bags to my moms and definitely squeezing in a workout to reduce building anxiety. We are professional patients. I will be updating Facebook as the day progresses tomorrow. It should take less than four hours to remove malfunctioning ci and insert new one.

Inventing the Cochlear Implant

Thank you Kelli for not noticing I've stolen this from your facebook!

Here's an interesting read. The inventor of the cochlear implant received an award recently. You'll find it in COSMOS here where you'll read about his first cochlear implant, it's super interesting!

Not much happening here, I'm still going to The Gym and look forward to a strobe light Zumba workout on Sunday! I've been incredibly busy between writing in my spare time and subbing a lot at the school, I have little time for much else. All will slow down soon when my little buddy will have his 5th ci operation, (6th incision, he did get a 2 for 1 last time!). We look forward to the PEEPs in the Park next weekend.

We are having an IEP for Gage Oct 1. He can't hear his Reading teacher who is a great teacher, just soft spoken, mic only helps so much w/his one ear so it is suggested to do pull outs, I disagree. He's failing, but either needs a teacher he can hear or needs captioning. We'll see how that goes. I'd be happy w/switching him temporarily to a teacher he can hear, and after he's all settled after his surgery, if he's caught up, hearing well, I'll consider moving him right back where he's supposed to be. I also think his ADHD meds aren't doing their job but I'll make that decision after his hearing is 'settled'.

Have a great weekend. Brook is doing good, she goes for mapping soon too. It's amazing to me that she can go so many months hearing well w/out needing mapping. She's on a 6 month map (I think) but she'll be one of the lucky ones in the future that gets to go yearly I think. She's doing well in school, a little behavior issues but nothing like last year! Whew!



Nothing New

Nothing new here in Blakely land. Brook did discover her glasses holder (wooden animal bought at Wal Mart for glasses) will also hold her processors as well while she's in the shower...

Just going through the motions til Oct 18 arrives, which is Gage's surgery date.

I'm writing my articles as much as possible and began 2 new titles this week, I'm just waiting on them to be approved and published. So far, no subbing calls this week, but I am working a couple of days next week...big fun.