So much to post

Wow, life has been pretty busy this past month. I have so much to post! Every time I thought about posting, it seemed like a daunting task, but alas I have some time tonight, so here it goes.

Cochlear Celebration: We went to the Cochlear Celebration at Disneyland in March. Wow! What an experience!!! I was on such a high from that trip for weeks! It was wonderful for all of us to see so many CI users, both kids and adults. Kevin and Ethan really enjoyed it too. It was the first time that I really saw that both boys realized wearing a CI was something special. The staff at Cochlear Corp are amazing. I can't say enough wonderful things about everyone we met. We had the opportunity to talk to both the CEOs of Cochear Worldwide and Cochlear Americas. A very special experience was meeting Jim Patrick, Cochlear's chief scientist. He was the first employee Graham Clark hired and he built the first CI. It brought tears to my eyes to meet him. To make it more emotional, he was very teary eyed at seeing everyone wearing a CI, especially all of the children. To see the difference he has made in so many people's life really was special to him. The parties at the hotel and Disneyland were a blast for the kids. They felt like they were treated like royalty throughout the entire experience. I am so glad we attended the event!

Kevin's 3rd birthday: Kevin turned 3 in early April. Yes, my little baby is now 3. Where did the last 3 years go? In some ways, it flew by, but in others, wow... what a journey it was. Not that it was long, but he has been through so much in 3 short years. We had a great Bolt celebration for the day with 20 of his 'closest' friends. Yes, he is a social kid!!! Ok, some of them were Ethan's friends (siblings), but it was a lot of fun!

Ethan's 5th birthday: Ethan turned 5 in mid-April. Yes, April was busy because Easter fell right between their birthdays! Ethan had a Star Wars birthday. He is a wonderful son and an incredible Big Brother for Kevin! Not only does he play with him all the time, but he is an incredible language model for Kevin. He is a very special boy.

IEP: Well, the downside to turning 3 is that it is time for an IEP. We were sad to say good-bye to our early intervention person who we have seen weekly for 2. 5 years. We miss you, Miss Amanda! For Kevin's IEP, we think the most appropriate placement for Kevin is to continue him at his Auditory-Oral school twice a week and then start mainstream preschool twice a week. We thought it wouldn't be a problem with the district. The district thought otherwise and wants to put Kevin in a County TC school, so now we have another meeting next Wed. to discuss this. I won't talk much about this now until all is signed. I will post the results from the meeting on Wednesday.

Kevin's speech: Wow!!! I can't even begin to tell you how much Kevin's speech and language has exploded!!! He now doesn't have any problems with his 's', 'f', 'h', 'k', 'g', ... really any sound! Seriously, he says it all! He talks just as good (and for many hearing kids, better) than any other hearing child. I know I might sound like I am bragging, but he is just amazing us and I am sooooo proud of my little boy. His articulation is so good too. He has great tongue control now, which really helps. What is so surprising is his language skill set. He processes information so well and carries on full conversations all the time. He comes up with his own discussion points. He says complex words like ridiculous, disaster, and actually. ('Actually, Mommy, I don't want to wear this today'). I can't help but crack up at hearing my deaf 3 year old say a sentence like that. Suffice it to say, I am blown away at the CI technology and what early implantation can do for children.

They brings me up to date for the most part. I have a lot to say on the IEP front, but that post will have to wait until next week.