Tuesday, June 23, 2009

good news

Yesterday Logan had his first post-hearing aids audiology exam. He and I went up to Children's and waited for Julie, our audiologist. Once we met up with her, she and I chatted about Logan's adjustment. She was quite impressed that he's wearing his aids nearly full time, and that all evidence points to the fact that they are, indeed, helping at least some. Once she was done with her questions, we went into the testing room with Josh, our favorite assistant. And guess what? Logan's aids DO make a difference!! There's a 30 to 35 dB (decibel) increase in his low frequency hearing, bringing him almost into the "normal" range. Julie tweaked a few areas of concern in the programming then sent us on our way, not needing to return until September. At that point, we'll look at some specific issues that seemed to appear yesterday, and do a full aided and unaided hearing exam again.

Now, if only the increase in hearing ability would translate to an increase in speech. Progress there is still painfully slow, and we are beginning to explore other areas of potential complication in his speech. Logan will have a feeding evaluation on Thursday, hoping to qualify him for some feeding therapy. Then, in another week or two, we hope to reevaluate for occupational and physical therapy. We've seen progress in his gross motor and fine motor skills, but the progress is not enough to catch him up to his peers. And, as a matter of fact, it appears that the gaps are widening instead of getting smaller. So we may add OT and possibly PT this summer. Then in September when he sees the Craniofacial team at Children's again, they'll evaluate for some other areas of concern as they relate to his speech. SOME DAY we will get this!! Or die trying...

The boy and his aids:




Oh, and for what it's worth? If one more adult looks at Logan with the "poor baby" look on their face as they search for ways to ask what's wrong with him, I might just haul off and slug them! I get so tired of it. Get real people! Wearing hearing aids is no different than wearing glasses, but somehow it's more "socially acceptable" to have a vision deficiency than it is to have a hearing deficiency. And while children can be cruel, I have found that adults are no less cruel. They're just slightly more subtle. Either way it is still cruel, and it sucks.

Whew. I feel better with that out in the open. :)

Saturday, June 20, 2009

sisters...over the years

Some of my favorite pics of the girls taken over the years. This first one was taken in probably 1998? The girls were about 7, 6, and 4 or so. It was Thanksgiving, and I had decided we needed new family pictures for our Christmas card. We went with Jim's brother to a local park. The girls were freezing, so Uncle Joel came to the rescue--he put his sweatshirt on them!


This picture remains my all-time favorite of the 3.



Probably 10, 9, and 7 in this one...

...and 12, 11, and 9 in this.

And this one was taken in August 2006, before we went to a friend's wedding. The girls were 14, 13, and 11.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

yum

I love fresh raspberries. And ours are starting to get ripe! It's going to be a good summer...

Saturday, June 13, 2009

aaahhhh...

Victoria has been having fun with her camera...




























Thursday, June 11, 2009

missing big brother

Brent was home last weekend for Hailey's high school graduation. The little boys were WILD with excitement all weekend to have him around. So Monday afternoon, when it was time to take Brent back to the airport, this came as no surprise...

Ryan: "Momma?"
me: "Yes Ryan?"
Ryan: "How many minutes until Brent comes home again?"
me: :::sigh::: "Too many, Ryan. Too many."

The thing is, Brent had only just walked through the door into the airport! As much as we miss having Brent here, I think Ryan misses him way more. Those two are inseparable when Brent's around, and Ryan loves it that way. Having him here for a few weeks later in the year will be an awesome thing!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

summer fun

No need for words...









It's hard to get pics of Mom and the boys when there's no one else home! Guess this will have to do. :)

really??

Ummm...I love love LOVE the sun and the heat, but I'm thinking that 92 in the shade in my backyard in Seattle in June at 10:45 in the morning is a bit much.

Pictures later, after the water rats are through playing :)

Monday, June 1, 2009

time flies

We're having beautiful sunny weather here in Seattle, and the boys and I are LOVING it! The girls and Jim? Not so much, since they have to go to school and work. :(

Today we went to a park near the house right on Lake Washington. Met up with 8 other moms from church with their little people and played on the playground and in the water. Everyone loved it! And I suspect all of us brought home very tired children. I know mine are filthy, sweaty, exhausted, and happy. They ought to sleep well tonight.



Logan (blue) and Ryan (green) in the sand


Playing with friends


And yesterday afternoon we had an open house for Hailey and her friend Rachael. They graduate next Sunday! Hailey and Rach have been friends since they were about 6 months old (or younger!) and it is such fun to see them still hanging out together. What a privilege to be part of their lives. :) But since neither Hailey nor Rachael wanted to have her picture taken, I'll leave you with a picture of the yummy cake.