How life prepares us...

I left the house at 6am to go to a training about 2.5 hours away from my house (with rush hour traffic).  Always fun.  As the training began, the trainer explained that she was hearing impaired and to excuse her if she had to get really close to us as she was teaching because the room we were in was not condusive to a hearing impaired person.  And then, it hit me...

So many things have occurred in my life to prepare me for my children, well before they were even thought of.  You see, I started my job August 2003.  At that time, all new workers had to go through a significant training period over several months.  And of course, all the trainings were no where near where I lived, but all at the same place.  The same place I was at today.  Which just so happens to be the State School for the Deaf.  Coincidence?  I think not.  

Of course in 2003, I didn't know anyone who was deaf.  And I remember being sad for the children who attended the school...because at the time I thought it was a school where the children lived (I have since learned it is just a day school).  I remember looking at the kids as they were playing on the playgrounds and walking from building to building and wondering what their life must be like.  Now of course I see life so much differently and realize that all of those children are the same as any child....they play, they learn and they have friends.

And in the course of my work, I was forced to work with Early Intervention, schools and IEP's, and numerous medical professionals.  In my first few years I became somewhat of an expert on early childhood development, milestones, common and not so common medical conditions....you name it, I probably encountered it.  And I spent many long hours in emergency rooms and doctor's offices, including the two major trauma hospitals in our area....one of which Jake would go on to have his surgery and the other where Austin had his.  It was like life was just preparing me so I knew what to do, where to drive to, what doctors to use...for both of the boys.

In 2005, one of the homes I went to for work, a young child had some serious medical issues.  I wasn't directly involved with him at the time, but remember that he had surgery for something involving his head and had a lot of doctor's appointments for different issues.  I saw that child a few months ago...and wouldn't you know, he has a shunt.  He got it when he was about 6 months old, is still on the same one....AND...it was put in by Austin's surgeon.  WHAT??!!!  It was nice to see how perfect he is!  You wouldn't even know that he had any issues at all when he was younger.  I'm sure back in 2005, I did know he had a shunt.  But I probably had no idea what a shunt was, what it did, and why any child would have one.  But for me to then see this same child years later, now that is something....

Then I get pregnant with Jake.  In 2007, I was a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding when I was 9 months pregnant (37 weeks).  I walked down the aisle with the groom's brother.  When I met him, he mentioned that he was couldn't hear out of the ear (side) I was on and that I had to speak up a little.  He then proceeded to tell me that he had a cochlear implant.  (He lost his hearing in an accident)  Had no clue at the time what a cochlear implant was, how it worked, or anything at all about hearing loss.  I just figured it was like a hearing aid. Never did I realize that the following year, MY son would have a cochlear implant!!  Crazy....

When Jake was 2 months old, had failed two hearing screenings, including an ABR, his pediatrician referred us to an ENT, to check out if Jake had fluid in his ears.  At the time, Jake had just been diagnosed "deaf" a few days earlier and Kevin and I were in denial about it.  I called right away for an appointment with the ENT doctor, knowing the pediatrician had just told me that it would probably take a while to an appointment, and they happened to have an available appointment a few days later.  Kevin and I walked into the office for the first visit, not knowing ANYTHING about this doctor...and there on the wall in a frame was him with a big article about how he is the Director of the Cochlear Implant Foundation at that hospital.  I truly believe that we were given this referral to this particular doctor so that we would research Cochlear Implants and eventually decide to get them for Jake, who is no doubt a completely different kid since he got them!!!  :)

And Jake himself prepared us....prepared us for Austin.  Jake taught us hope, patience, gratitude, and appreciation.  Jake taught us what life is like to have a child who didn't always do things as fast as other kids.  When kids his age were sitting up, Jake was just starting to hold his head up.  When kids his age were walking, Jake was just starting to sit up/prop himself.  When kids were running, Jake was learning to put pressure on his feet.  And when kids were learning how to talk, Jake was learning how to listen.  We learned all about the ENT, the audiologist, the neurologist, the opthamologist, the genestisist, and the podiatrist, among other things.

And then Austin comes along.  We are told that there is a 25% chance he could have a hearing loss.  Ok we think, "we can handle that".  And then he is diagnosed with hydrocephalus.  We are told to see a genetic counselor.  Ok, "been there, done that".  And then we are told he will need to have surgery.  Ok, as much as we didn't like that, it certainly was not the first time one of our kids had to go through surgery to better themselves.  And then we are told to stay away from magnets along with a bunch of procautions.  Ok, we already have to do the same precautions for Jake.  And we are told that Austin may be behind with gross motor skills.   Ok, no big deal, we've been there before and already know all of the good EI therapists.  Then it turns out that Austin has to see an ENT and an opthamologist.  Just so happens we know excellent doctors in both fields.  The list could probably go on and on....

I guess what I'm trying to say is,  all of the times I thought to myself, I'm not prepared for this....I really was prepared for this.  I was molded to be Jake and Austin's mother well before they were even in my belly. 

Pretty awesome to look at life that way...

Pretty awesome (and perfect) boys I have...

Life is just pretty awesome.

On the move....

I haven't had a chance to sit down it feels like lately...and that is a good thing!!!  Austin is really on the move these days!  Along with the crawling, which has turned into "speed crawling", Austin now is pulling to stand and even cruising a little.  He picked it all up so fast, I'm so excited to see all his new milestones these next few weeks.  And with all of this activity, Kevin and I have had to do some major baby proofing around the house.  He loves Jakes toys....and Jake's playroom is his favorite.  He can get from one end of the house to the other if he sees that playroom door open, in two seconds flat.  So funny to watch him in super speed!  Love it!

Two weeks ago, Physical therapist was a little concerned that Austin's torticollis is still significant after all this time and wanted us to make sure his neck tubing wasn't getting stuck or pulled in his neck.  We went to the surgeon and she said it was fine.  His head circumference is measuring a steady 46 cm (it was 46 cm about six weeks prior), which has now taken him from the 75th percentile to the 50th on the charts.  Pretty awesome.  I also think the helmet shaping has something to do with the HC staying the same...no one has said that, but it makes sense to me...that its rounding his head and would measure less.  I dunno.

He now has a double ear infection and is on medication.  But it sure doesn't stop him.  He cut his second tooth this morning and he is no longer interested in baby food.  He wants to have whatever we are having.  I'm getting better at giving him "big boy" food, but still give really, really small portions because he doesn't have that many teeth yet.  But hes doing awesome with the food. 

This week we go back for a helmet check.  I'm torn...I really like having the helmet for safety reasons, but really think it would be so much better for him with his torticollis if he didn't wear the helmet anymore.  Realistically though, we are only talking a few more weeks if the tech says that its not ready to come off this week.  So, I'm ok either way.

We're getting ready for his birthday!  I have lots of ideas and hoping the whole theme comes together nicely.  Can't believe he's going to be one already.  I remember vividly how I felt last year at this time...so much anxiety, so much uncertainty, so much planning, and worrying, and crying, and praying....this year has been a whirlwind and every day I'm so thankful for the joy that Austin has brought into our lives.  Kevin and I got teary-eyed this morning just watching him, pulling up to look out the window because Jake was looking out the window.  What a blessing this little boy is....and miracle to all eyes....seems fitting that Austin's birthday is right around Easter. 

Here's a two minute clip into Austin's life....Mr. Busy....

11 months....

Crazy to think that Austin is 11 months old already.  He's gone from a baby to a little man so fast.  Its been 3 weeks since he started crawling and he is ALL over the place.  We love every minute of it.  We've been working on getting him to go from sitting to standing by himself and last night he did it!!!  So, today, we had to lower the crib all the way down to the lowest position because I'm sure in no time he'll be pulling himself up in the crib onto his feet. 

We went for a helmet check up last week. Turns out that Austin only has another 4-6 weeks left!  I can't believe how fast that went as well.  I remember being so worried about the helmet and how it would affect the shunt and us going back and forth about should we get it or not.  And now I can honestly say that it has been such a blessing.  With that helmet on, we don't even worry about Austin falling, which he tends to do a lot of these days.  Our PT even mentioned seeing if the tech would just carve out the foam a little more in the helmet so he can continue to wear it for safety purposes after the molding is completed.  (I don't think we are going to do it, but I do like the sound  of that...especially when it comes to our hardwood floors!)  So we go back on April 4th and should have a better idea of things by then.  When looking at his head, his forehead is completely round now.  The only piece that the helmet is still working on is a slight flat spot in the back of his head, which is really only noticeable to us because we knew what it looked like before the helmet.  And boy is his hair finally growing in.  1st haircut will be here in no time.

The boys are having a blast together.  I love seeing them interact.  Austin just laughs at everything Jake does, so cute.  April is sure to be the busiest month yet.  We have four doctor's appointments (1 year well exam, neurosurgeon follow up, opthomologist follow up and ENT follow up).  Not to mention someone's big birthday bash!!!  I'm super excited about his birthday and just hoping for some nice weather. 

Everyone is sick in the house.  Yuck.  Austin has a cold, I had a stomach bug and now a cold and Kevin has a cold.  Luckily Jake seems to be ok for now, but hoping he doesn't catch what is floating around the house.  Weather is supposed to be nice this week so at least we can open up the windows and get some fresh air in.

Here are some pics of the nuts....so hard to get pictures of Austin sitting still these days, but I finally managed to catch a few....



Austin playing with Jake's hair



Love this one...Brotherly Love.



Austin's favorite place...banging on the window



Crib in the lowest position.  Austin's not too sure about it yet!

Moving and Shaking and Crawling...

Yes he is!  Austin is crawling.  He officially started on President's Day.  So cute.  Now, he seems to be all over the place.  His favorite thing to do is B-LINE straight to the TV stand.  He's obsessed with remotes. 

And I'm loving all his babbling.  We never had that with Jake, so its nice to hear all the sounds.  And yes, you can tell that he's used to the camera as he hams it up.

And this video just cracks me up.  LOVE, LOVE how Austin thinks his big bro is just so funny...haha....(And yes, Jake got a black eye at school on tuesday when one of the kids accidentally hit him with a ball)

10 months old!

Gooser is now 10 months old.  I can hardly believe it!!!!  Still NO teeth.....every morning I check and there's nothing..can't even see them under the gums.  Austin likes to do things at his own pace though, so I'm sure they'll pop out when he's ready for them too...haha.

He's all over the place now. He is not crawling, but he does not sit still and has managed to figure out different ways to get items he wants without having to crawl.   He gets onto his hands and knees and rocks himself.  Yesterday he began to actually crawl a little back backward....usually he scoots backward on his belly.  

He's had his helmet now for over 4 weeks.  Its going well.  He (and I) are completely adjusted to it.  We have a routine when it comes off, gets cleaned, goes back on, etc.  If anything, it actually has been a blessing since Austin is so active now.  We like the fact that we can just let him do what he wants without having to worry about him falling and hitting his head.

I started putting him in the jumper for short periods (we had been avoiding this because it was adding to his asymetry issues) and he LOVES it.  Jumps so high, puts his hands up and just laughs.  So funny. 

And he is starting to babble now too.  Can't even begin to tell you how much I LOVE that.  We never had any babbling with Jake...not even after he got his cochlears...he just went straight to words....so to hear the "dadadada, gagaga, jajaja"....simply awesome. 

I have a bunch of videos I need to get on here...unfortunately they aren't loading correctly, so I'll try again soon. 

9 months old!!! Already!!!!!

Austin is lovin his puffs now (which is a nice surprise since he's really just not that into food...he loves his bottles but food is like "eh" to him).  And big bro is always there to help out (and eat even more of them than Austin does).  Funny to watch.  (Don't mind the big 'ol trash bag in the backround, it was garbage night)

(Video was actually taken two weeks ago, but couldn't get it to download.  Now, Austin has completely mastered this task, and is really developing that pincher grasp!!)

Austin's other new feat for last week was to wait until just before the flash goes off on the camera and then scream out (flail out) in joy as the picture is taken.  One happy lil goose I have....

And of course, the moment we have been waiting for (not really, haha)....the HELMET arrived on monday.  Went better than I thought it would go.  George (our cranial tech) put the helmet on Austin and he just looked at him...no tears.  It was almost as though he was like "what are you doing to me guy?"  George went over all the basics with me and then had me take it off Austin while he made a few adjustments.  Within 10 minutes, we were done.  Got out into the lobby of the office and the tears started to flow. I was able to head them off with his "passy".  We got out to the car, got in, and headed out.  Got about 1/2 mile down the road and the tears began again.  By the time we were a few minutes down the road, Austin was screaming!  Of course at this point I'm on the highway and there is nowhere to pull over, but after about 10 minutes, I'm able to.  I give Austin a bottle (he was hungry on top of it all, so that didn't help).  After the bottle, we headed home, with just a few more whimpers before he fell asleep.  Got home and he has done great ever since. 

And the biggest worry of mine was the shunt...which I'm happy to report they carved out a section for the shunt in the helmet, so it doesn't rest on it directly.  It is a little big though, so it tends to move slightly when Austin is resting his head on something.  But, so far so good.  Took 5 days to get him up to the full wear of 23 hours a day.  He had it on all day today (closer to about 22 hours, but still....)  And he has turned into quite the dare devil.  Its like he knows the helmet is protecting his lil noggin, so he'll just thrust his head full force forward, fall backwards, sideways, you name it...he's doing it now!!!  And he's laughing.  Keep him in your thoughts throughout these next few months of molding.....he's a GOOSE alright!

And last week, the gooser turned 9 months old.  Gosh, where did the time go?  Seriously.  Just goes so fast.  He is clapping and babbling and we are loving every minute of it.  He's soooo nosy too, just makes me laugh.  And boy oh boy has that separation anxiety kicked in, especially with me.  I get home from work and if I don't go over and pick him up immediately (because I do have to come in and wash my hands :)), he's crying hysterically.  I can't leave the room without him crying.   Its cute, but its been hard getting any mommy time lately.  I'm not complaining though.

Had our second snow storm of the winter today.  First one doesn't really seem like it counted though because it was in October.  Jake had an absolute blast playing in it...Austin, not so much.  I'm not sure if he was too cold or if he just didn't know what to make of it, or if he was tired, or what...but he was very quiet and just kinda hung out.  But the Goose wouldn't be the Goose if he wasn't smiling, even when he's cranky...

And the aftermath of a hard days play in the snow...

 Good day in Weyville.....

Happy New Year (and Merry Christmas)

Happy New Year to all of my blogger followers!  And while I'm at it, Merry BELATED Christmas.  This holiday season just came and went like a flash this year.  But it was a great holiday nonetheless.  Jake was so excited for Santa this year and really into Christmas and New Years.  And of course, it was a first for Austin with both, so it was extra special. 

As for Austin, he's doing great.  He's sitting all by himself, making great progress with physical therapy and gross motor skills, eating "Puffs" and textured foods and growing like a weed (he's up to 20 pounds).  We made a tough decision this past week...Austin will be getting a cranial helmet for the shaping of his head.  With Austin's Torticollis, he tends to favor one side of his head, especially with sleeping.  This has unfortunately caused a flat spot on the back left of his head.  Its nothing major, but its enough that its started to become noticeable and had caused his ears to be slightly off center.  Getting a helmet in and of itself certainly isn't a huge deal, but when you add a cranial helmet into the mix of a child with a shunt, it can get a little tricky.  I'm still super nervous about it, but they have assured me that there will be a cut out so that the helmet doesn't apply direct pressure on the shunt.  Austin has a very mild case of plagiocephaly (flat head), but because he is almost 9 months old already, he is most likely going to be in the helmet about 4 months.  He is expected to get it in about 2 weeks.  Please keep him in your prayers for a smooth transition and only positive effects. 

Now before the montage of pictures, I leave you with a funny video.  Jake is singing his "Sleigh bells" song, which he knows every single word to, however because Austin is distracting him, he is like a broken record and just keeps singing the same lines over and over.  I think I even caught a yawn in there.  All the while, happy head lil Austin is just doing his thing....fun stuff!!!  No words for how awesome their interaction together is.

Jake's new Spiderman Bike

New Years Eve!