Lovin' TV

In the past Thomas hasnt paid much attention to the tv. It is rarely on during the day, after homework, dinner and bedtime the tv would usually turn on. Shortly after Thomas' last MAPping I noticed him paying more attention to what was on the television. A few weeks ago we were sitting in the living room and Jonathan was flipping through the channels when he found blue's clues. Thomas started saying "dog dog" so Jonathan left it on. Thomas sat in his little chair for almost 15minutes watching Blue's Clues. To some of you that may not seem like a big deal...but for Thomas it is a HUGE deal. For him to sit down in 1 spot for more than a few minutes is unlike our little puddins. He likes to be on the go...there is always something for Thomas to be doing (according to him). I was amazed at he paid attention to everything. His little eyes kept following Blue and his brow would crinkle up when Steve "jumped" through the picture to find Blue.
Fast forward to this past Sunday. He grabbed his chair, pillow (for his feet) and his mesh bag of play kitchen utensils (he started playing with these types of things a few weeks ago at therapy and they were an instant hit. Even weeks later at home we play with the dishes/food/utensils atleast a few times a day). He brought them to the middle of he living room and pointed the tv and said "on". I turned the tv on and it was on one of local channels that happened to be playing the Cavs game. I was going to change it to some type of toddler show but he was drawn to the basketball game. I left it on the game and watched in amazement at how my almost 2 yr old sat for over 40 minutes and watched basketball. During commercials he would get up and play but once the game came back on he would sit down and tell me to sit down and he would continue watching the game. I knew he loved all sports...anything to do with a ball he loves...basketball (because his older brother plays every weekend), soccer, football....he has excellent aim, strong throw and fairly good catching skills. I think he is taking after my brother and my Dad who are (were) naturally good at every sport they played. Goodness know he did not get his sports skills from myself or Daddy...we both lack in those areas!
Here are a few pictures of Thomas enjoying Blue's Clue's.
1st... Thomas watching tv.
2nd... music started playing so he got up to start dancing
3rd... Thomas noticed me taking pictures
4th... Complete meltdown until I put the camera away

We have a surgery date

Today was our app. with Dr. M. We had met with the audiologist last week for the hearing test to confirm that Thomas is still indeed severe-profound in his left ear. Thank goodness my Mom came with me because Thomas wanted nothing to do with the headphones. So he sat on my lap and my Mom sat in a tiny chair in fron of us and kept his hands busy with toys and food!
That was my Mom's first experience in the soundbooth with Thomas with no CI. There were a few pretty loud noises that she jumped at and Thomas just sat and played...not even turning. It brought back many memories of sitting in the soundbooth with him last year wanting so bad to tap him or nudge him (on the appropriate side) so as to "fool" the audiologist so she could see Thomas turn to the sound. All the time I spent in that chair holding Thomas praying that suddenly a miracle would occur and he would be able to hear. Alot of time has passed and the realization had come that he would not be able to hear with the help of a CI. On our way to the car my Mom had mentioned to me she was amazed at the fact that Thomas could not hear (almost) anything without his any type of aid in his ear (CI/hearing aid) but once we popped the coil back on he could hear a whisper. It is quite amazing.
So our app. with Dr. M went well. I had also asked him about having any further genetic testing done since he did test neg. for conn.26. There is now a genetic counselor on their CI team that we will be hearing from soon...we will make an appointment with him/her to see what our options are. Thomas surgery is scheduled for March 3. I know the month of february is going to fly by and Thomas will be our bilateral baby very soon. At first Dr. M's nurse had said Feb 18th...but we all knew that the ins. wouldnt get back to us that quickly. I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly and that we can keep our March 3rd surgery date!

One of those days....

Actually...it's been a few days that I have been feeling like this. It doesnt happen alot but when it hits...it's very frustrating (to me...and everyone around me).
Thomas and his big Brother are doing great...it's me that is having problems. It started a few days ago...2nd guessing myself! As you know we have "decided" on a 2nd implant for Thomas. I put decided in quotes because the decision is not final until the surgery starts. I wish I had a crystal ball that could assure me I was making the correct decisions for both boys. Not just the little decisions...what should they have for breakfast, should I put boots on them today? etc...but the BIG ones! Was getting Thomas implanted the best decision (I am not 2nd guessing that), what about a 2nd one?, should we start learning sign? etc. etc. etc. 99% of the time I am confident about what decisions we have made so far...and I am confident in the decisions we will make in the future.
What started this whole thing was me thinking about going to a local indoor waterpark. We have been doing this since Jonathan was a few years old. Even in the summer we spend alot of time at the outdoor waterparks. My family and I have been talking about when and where were we going to go. I realized a few days ago why I had been dragging my feet. Here we have these awesome waterparks that are right around the corner, where we ALL have so much fun...yelling, playing, laughing,splashing, talking...TALKING! Majority of our time in the water is spent playing and talking to each other. If I have Thomas in the kiddie area (where I know he would have a fantastic time and NEVER want to leave) how do I get his attention? I see all the other Mom's yelling for their kids and their kids hear them (some even choose to listen...lol). How will I ask what he wants to do next? How can I explain to him that we are done with this certain area and we are moving on to the next? Please dont think I am feeling sorry for myself or for Thomas...he is a spectacular little boy and I thank God for him everyday..wouldn't change anything about him.
Another thing happened on Saturday that really made me start 2nd guessing. We were at a certain kids place(CEC) and Thomas was playing in the toddler area. There is one certain climby thing with 2 steps up to a platform with a bead wall and steering wheel. There was another little boy already playing and smiled when he seen Thomas climbing up. Thomas knelt by this kids side and watched him play for a few moments and than turned to his left so he could steer the wheel. The other kid looked over at Thomas and his smile faded away as he sat there and stared at Thomas' head. Another moment passed by and the kid stood up, gave Thomas another look (w/no smile) and slid down the slide. Thomas just looked over at him, I am sure wondering why the kid left in such a hurry. There I stood, standing by the plexiglass window, helpless. I wanted to crawl in, pick him up and carry him away, so he wouldnt be judged by the "stuff" on his head. Wait...is it the 20mth old with the problem???? NO, it is ME! Thomas cared about the kid darting away for about a second...he continued steering the wheel and playing with the beads. It was me, standing there, with visions filling my head of his future. What will happen when I am not there to make sure he is OK? To try to not let his feelings get hurt? To explain to anyone that looks at his CI and let them know what it is for. To let them know that this little piece of equipment helps my deaf son HEAR!
I had these same "days" when Jonathan was little. I wanted to carry him away and stick him in a glass bubble so no one would ever hurt him, physically or emotionally. I am sure that is what every parent would like to do. But, we can't. We have to let our kids live life and learn to defend themselves, love themselves and be the best person that they can be. I know Jonathan is doing a very good job at this. There are many times he tells me about something that happened at school or at practice and I want to rush in to try to make it right...but I have to step back, ask him how he handled it, make a suggestion ( ONLY if needed) and remind him of how proud I am of him and what an amazing son he is!
For being such a tiny guy, Thomas is a toughy. He knows what he wants and he stands up for himself. If that is how he is now...I know that is how he will be as he gets older. I will continue to pray for both of my children ~ that they keep their confidence and strong will all through their life. What the heck, I will throw myself in my own prayers...for days like this...to remind myself that I am my child's best advocate and the decisions that are made for them are made with the best intentions.
Whew, I am glad that I blogged tonite (instead of going to bed). I feel MUCH better after getting all this off my chest!!! I am off to bed....I am not even going to re-read my post. (atleast for tonite...LOL).

PIZZA

This is Thomas' new favorite word!! Actually he will use the phrase "MORE PIZZA" and smile from ear to ear. As some of you know...I am neurotic about choking. I was this way with Jonathan and it has come again with Thomas. I cut everything up and make sure there is nothing that can be a choking hazard (in my opinion) within his grasp. I know...it makes me sound nuts but its the way I am!
In the past few months Thomas has started eating different things..his favorite being PIZZA! When we are at the grocery store and we pass the pizza boxes he yells "PIZZA", when he sees it anywhere he gets excited.
This evening, after our pizza party, Thomas ran into his bedroom and yelled "Zeba"...I looked over at him and noticed he was holding a zebra!!! I was SOOOOO excited!!!!! I said, over and over again, Yes Thomas~ a Zebra. Good Boy..it's a zebra. I went on and on about how a zebra is black and white, etc. He kept saying zebra after I would say it. I was on cloud nine! He went back to playing with his noah's ark. All of a sudden he picked up his elephant, ran over to me and yelled "Zeba"!!! What a smile I had on my face. I sat down with him and explained which one was the "zeba" and that the one in his hand was an elephant. He found it very funny and we both started laughing...what a great moment. I sat there with tears starting to well up in my eyes. It was such a great feeling to be sitting next to my little boy, talking and laughing, about something so goofy!

Thomas still has not said "HI Mommy". The cat, dog, Jonathan, Dad, Grandma...they all get "Hi(insert whomever he is talking to)" not Mommy!!! Jonathan's school bus even gets a "Hi Bus" Oh well! He had a MAJOR conversation with me yesterday. He had 2 of our address books in his hand and he comes into the living room and starts "talking" to me. I asked him if he was working and he said "yeah" and shook his head. We than had a few minute talk about working, how hard it is to carry all those books, what a great worker he is, etc. He would talk and move his hands all over the place..really getting into the conversation.
We still have the hearing test to look forward to in a few weeks. Hopefully we will be getting a date for a 2nd CI in the next couple of months. I will definitly keep you updated!!!

Happy New Year

Well, Jonathan lasted up until right before midnite. The only reason I know that is because Jim told me! I fell asleep around 1030pm. I remember back (more than) a few years ago when I didnt leave the house until 1030pm to go out! Whew...those were the days (not really).
I was startled awake by what I thought was thunder...it was the "boom" from the fireworks. It was 12:02am! I woke Jonathan up, wished him a Happy New Year, took him into his room, he went to sleep and I went back to sleep.
The Christmas tree is put away as are the ornaments and stuffed holiday animlas. We still have a few things up...thanks to the wicked wind my outside lights came down. So I pulled the rest down...I will wait until the weekend to take down the inflatables from the front yard. It is cold, windy and snowy outside...makes you want to make a cup of hot chocolate, stay in your cozies and stay inside!!!
Time to go wake Thomas up from his nap. If he sleeps any longer he will want to stay up all night!