Wednesday, July 30, 2008

cute expressions

Kevin has started saying some cute expressions, which just puts smiles on my face all day long! He really sounds like an ordinary little kid these days! One of his favorite new words is 'maybe'. I ask a question and he answers, 'Maybe....'. For instance, I ask 'where is Grandma and Grandpa'. He answers, 'maybe they went on an airplane'. or 'maybe they at home'. or 'Maybe they come here'. You get the idea. He says it with this cute little inflection and I just it so sweet!

Another one it 'Oh my goodness'. He sees something out of the ordinary and starts running around saying 'Oh my goodness, oh my goodness'. He almost shouts this one because he is so excited!

The last one is 'all right'. When he doesn't want to do something and he finally 'agrees', he says 'All right' with a little sigh. I know he gets all of these from either his brother or me, and maybe that is why I find them so funny, but I just love hearing him start to say normal everyday expressions. These weren't 'taught' expressions, but rather just ones that he picked up in ordinary conversation. I don't think I will ever NOT be amazed by the way he talks!!!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

WALL-E

Kevin saw his first movie today! We took him and his older brother to see WALL-E. He actually managed to sit through the entire movie (while wiggling on my husband's lap) and seemed to enjoy it. He tried to repeat the sounds of all the robots, which I found quite amusing. It was a good thing the theater was pretty empty, because otherwise the people might have been annoyed with him. I, of course, found it amazing that he could make the robotic squiggle voice (I have no idea how to describe it, but if you have seen the movie, then you know what I am talking about.)

Other than that, things are just progressing along here. Kevin has really enjoyed school these past few weeks, which is a huge relief! I am still in his classroom, but he does so well when I am in there that I have no desire to leave and make him all upset again. He is such a good listener and follows the teacher's directions really well. I am quite amazed at how much he does at just 2 years old. I hope this is setting the stage for a good academic career!

Friday, July 11, 2008

7 word sentence

Things have really seemed to 'click' with Kevin this week. His pronounciation is improving and he is creating more sentences without prompting. Yesterday, he told me a 7 word sentence! 'I get Ethan a blue M&M too.' I feel his speech is really starting to improve and just in the last few days too!

He also decided to do some potty training this week all on his own.... hence the m&m's!!! My little boy is growing up!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

A Good Day

Ahhh, the power of prayer! At least, I'll think that is what saved me today.

Kevin has been quite a stinker about putting his processors on after they are off (when he wakes up in the am, after nap, after swimming, etc) If they are on and it falls off, he replaces it right away, but if they are taken off, then he won't put them on. It is a real struggle for me! I have ignored him, bribed him, punished him, but nothing works. When HE finally decides it is time, they go on without any struggle and all is fine. Unfortunately, his time schedule isn't always the same as mine and that is where the issues come in. I am confident this is a 2 year old issue and he is just trying to exert his control, but it drives me bonkers!

So, this morning, we had to head out to his first day of summer school at his deaf school. The last few days of his school, he decided he hated it and cried the whole time. I was hoping a month off would change things. So, after really struggling with his processors, they were finally on and he was happy. Then I told him we had to go to school, and he lost it. He cried frantically! My husband and I straight-jacketed him in the carseat with him still wailing. After about 15 minutes of crying and me trying to reason with him, I just lost it! While driving, I looked up and just prayed to God that I needed a break and please give me the strength to deal with this. WHY, why, why????? I didn't know what else I could do!

So, he calmed down, clung to me for the first 5 minutes, and then realized that this school was FUN! He joined in, played with other kids, participated in everything, behaved during therapy, everything I could have hoped for. (or prayed for). Something just clicked! Maybe God heard my prayers. We'll see what tomorrow brings, but for now, I feel like we are headed uphill again instead of spiraling down at a fast rate!

Ahhh, the fun we have with toddlers!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Wisconsin study

We came back last week from the Wisconsin study for bilateral CI toddlers. It was really interesting to have Kevin participate in the study. They are comparing bilateral children to single CI children in 2 areas. The first test was to see how well the child can detect directional hearing. Kevin sat in a soundbooth with multiple speakers arched in front of him. He was supposed to look at the speaker that the sound came from. Only 2 words were ever spoken, so after time, Kevin 'habituated' and became bored with the test. They repeated this test numerous times throughout the 2 days... needless to say, Kevin became very tired of this test!
The second test was to see how well a bilateral child can understand sound with background noise. Kevin watched a movie and eventually they started to add background sound while having Kevin point to the object they said. This test interested Kevin much more than the other one!

I was very pleased with how well Kevin did with these tests. It was also nice to see Madison, WI. The weather was great and we got to explore the city. Overall, it was a very good experience for all of us!