For the Love of Music

In the hurry and rush of every day life sometimes I forget just how lucky I am. I have a wonderful husband, two amazing children, a loving family and great friends.
The other day we were running late getting Jonathan to the bus stop ~ as we pulled up to the stop I seen the bus about 5 blocks ahead of us. Instead of chasing the bus down we decided to have a nice relaxing drive to school! I turned the radio on and there was no good music playing(according to Jonathan) so I pressed play and my new kids cd started playing. It wasnt up very loud so Jonathan and I discussed the "New Kids" and how I have been a huge fan of theirs for years and he was asking me about the different songs. One in particular he really liked ~ so we listened to it 3 times before we dropped him off at the front doors of school.
As we pulled away I turned the music off and started talking to Thomas. We usually talk about what we see~ we count the school buses, find out the color of the car next to us, any airplanes in the sky? etc. As I turned the music off he yelled ~
Thomas~ "NO Mom...Mutic ON"....

Me: "You want to listen to music, Thomas?"

Thomas: "YEAH,...Mutic On"

Me: "OK" (as I turn the radio on and some random song started playing)

He yells "NO" again.

I turn the radio down and asked him what he wanted.

Thomas: "New Tids On"

Me: "You want to listen to the New Kids music?"

Thomas: "Yes, New Tids"

So I put the new kids back on and I watched (in the baby mirror) as my deaf son was thoroughly enjoying music. When Jonathan's favorite song came on Thomas started singing ~ making up his own words of course, but singing in perfect tune with the music. He was trying to click his fingers and his little head was bopping back and forth ~ it was too cute.
I was stopped at a red light and as I watched Thomas singing and dancing tears started to trickle down my cheeks. I am so thankful for his cochlear implants ~ for everyone who has helped us get to this point ~ early intervention (help me grow, RIHP), his CI team (Dr. Megerian, Dr. Murray and Lindsay Zombeck SLP), our family and friends ~ for all of their endless support and the Pediatric CI Circle ~ everytime I had a question or concern (no matter what time of day/night) someone was always there to answer and help.
I am thankful for everyone who has been there with us on Thomas' journey. We couldnt have done it with you!!!

Preschool

Today I spoke with the psychologist from Thomas' assessment this past Monday. She had a few more questions and I asked her about Thomas starting preschool this April. She told me that she and the supervisor were discussing this very topic and she suggested that since there will only be 6wks left of school (after Thomas turns 3) that we could use their itinerant services ~ bringing Thomas up to school, once a week, for speech therapy. I think this is a wonderful idea! Thomas can get used to going to "school" ~ even though it will only be once a week he will be acquainted to the surroundings and be a bit more prepared when September rolls around.
I should hear back from her next week to schedule the IEP meeting. I can't believe my baby is turning 3 and is getting ready for school!!!

Evaluation

Thomas had his play based assessment(MFE..multi-factored evaluations) this past Monday~ this is a part of the transition for Thomas to start preschool. I think it went well...I met with the school psychologist while Thomas played with one of the school's SLP's. While I sat and answered questions I could hear Thomas talking and carrying on conversations with the SLP. He played for about 30minutes and than he was finished I heard him say "I done...I go see my Mom".
I have had to fax a few papers over and they are waiting for some test results from Thomas' SLP ~ I am waiting for the call to schedule the IEP meeting. I am pretty sure that he will be eligible for their services based on his hearing loss alone. We took a tour a few weeks ago, met a few teachers and that went well. All of the teachers have masters degree's and the teacher that Thomas would have has alot of experience with deaf/hoh children (and kids with CI's). There is a school a few cities away that we are also interested in. We still have to tour that school and speak with their principal.
I was surprised when the psychologist told us that Thomas would be starting school right after he turns 3 (April 18th). I thought we were going to wait until the start of the new school year. I figure if they do want him to start next month, we'll send him and see how it goes. I don't like the fact that Thomas will be put in a class where students have been in school for the past 7mths. They know the routine, they have their own schedule and they know the rules. This, of course, brings up a few more questions for our IEP meeting!
I think about where we were 2.5yrs ago...almost lost in a world that we knew little about! The only thing we knew for certain was that our baby was deaf ~ these past few years have gone by quickly. Our little boy is getting ready for school ~ I'm not sure if I'm ready for that, yet!

Beautiful Day

Although it was a chilly day here, Thomas and I spent some time outside and it seems like we talked about everything. From the birds that flew in to eat (we have a few bird feeders around the backyard) to the two squirrels that took turns eating their food. Thomas and I made the decision yesterday to go out and buy the squirrels their own food. They used to hang upside down to try to get the bird seed.
We went up to store and Thomas found the squirrel food ~ he picked the bag he thought we should buy and carried to the clerk. Explaining to her that this was for the "tirls ~ they eat all the bird food"...she looked at me and smiled. She was very sweet and patient and listened to Thomas' entire story.
We got back home and had to immediately go into the backyard and put the new food out. We also put some on our front porch ~ right next to our flower boxes (which have no flowers in them right now). Thomas yelled "Tirls...here's your food...Eat NOW". To his surprise the squirrels did not run over and start eating.
We came inside, washed up and ate some lunch. As soon as we were done eating Thomas walked over to the front window and he saw two squirrels enjoying their lunch. Thomas was ecstatic. We talked about their black eyes, brown fur, long nails, bushy, furry tail, whiskers, the different kinds of food they were eating. How picky they were and the fact that they were a little messy! It was great to sit by the window with him and talk so much about squirrels (who would have thought there was that much to talk about).

Twister

I have to preface this story with the fact that we have been practicing colors with Thomas for quite some time. Just the basics, nothing fancy ~ and it has been a bit frustrating. While we were practicing yesterday Jim whispers to me "I don't think he cares too much". I think he is right. Thomas doesn't see learning his colors as super important so he doesnt pay close attention ~ no matter how interesting we make it. He usually picks things up pretty quickly~ within the first few times he watched Handy manny he could tell you the name of every tool (pipe wrench, hammer, etc) what its name was (Pat,Turner,etc) and what job they do.
Here goes what happened today....

Today Thomas and I were spending some time at my Grandma's. She fell on some ice last week and fractured her elbow. She had pretty extensive surgery yesterday ~ we picked her up from the hospital today and needless to say she was very happy to be home.

I was doing some cleaning up and my Mom was trying to rest on the couch before she left for work. My Grandma, Baba, was sitting in her super comfy recliner ~ although she definitely was not super comfy.

I walked into the living room and Thomas told me he wanted to play twister. I said "really Thomas? Oh Ok...go in your toy closet and get your twister game". I finished putting some things away and by the time I was done Thomas had the sheet laid out perfectly on the floor. He handed the spinner to me and said "GO, Mom!".

I flicked the little black pointer and it landed on "left foot green"...so I announced "Left foot green". Thomas walked over to green and stood on it.
My Mom and I look at each other..HMMMM~was it a lucky guess?

Spin again ~ right hand red
Thomas walked over to red and put both hands down.

I look at my Mom and smile.

Left foot yellow ~ Thomas found it.
Right foot blue ~ again..Thomas found it!!!

The little stinker knows his colors. At least red, yellow, blue and green! lol We made a big deal about how great he did with all of his colors and when we started to play again he ran around in circles and started acting goofy ~he was done with the game!

Oh well, atleast my Mom and I saw him do it! I want to try to get it on video for our SLP. She has been helping us on this color road and she will be very happy to see that it has finally paid off!!