Okay - the evaluation for MeeNa's hearing has been done. I feel better in one respect, horrified in another. She can not hear these things at all: water dripping, rattling, birds chirping, monkey type sounds (lower oo sounds, an alarm clock (how do they do this when she is without hearing aids?) people conversing, and these letters - z, v, j, m, d, b, i, sh, ch, g, h, p, k, f, s, th.
She can't hear these additional things with her left ear: a dog barking, a vacuum cleaner, and a baby crying (which hurts my feelings for when she becomes a mother and doesn't have her aids in at night,) and the following sounds - n, ng, e, l, u, i, o, a, r.
With hearing aids she will do so much better - I just can't wait to get them!!!!!
The boys, MeeNa, and I will all be learning sign language twice a week with a specialist in our home. Then, in the fall, it will go down to once per week. She will also be going to a sign language daycare in the fall.
Please keep in mind....
1) she can hear sounds but has no way of knowing where they are coming from unless she sees your face
2) she will not understand any background noise - this noise will make her life with or without hearing aids a nuisance until she learns to tune out background noise and focus on what is in front of her
3) she will tell us what form of communication she prefers (signing, reading lips, or relying on aids) signing will probably be the most effective now because she doesn't talk, and she is showing signs of liking it to communicate
4) she will most likely need an interpreter for school because noise, like another child asking a question in another area of the room, will not be understandable (with aids even,) forget about when the teacher uses an overhead in the dark or when her back is faced to the kids
5) she is VERY smart for her age and has great fine motor skills - yay!!!!
6) patience is needed by everyone, and sad to say, we will all eventually know some signing in order to communicate with her without her hearing aids, especially if she chooses to use signing as her main way of communicating. Also, you will need to speak loudly to her while touching her to get her attention and within arms length. Even then, the above applies.
7) lucky #7 - there are too many pros about this evaluation to mention. The main one I can state is that my relationship with her will only get better once we can clearly communicate with her. Her frustration level (and mine) will go way down. Just think about my situation this way...
She comes to me with a problem of some sort or a want (even boo boos.) She babbles or cries needing me. I have NO IDEA what she wants and feverishly try to solve her problem or help her. I'm not getting it, she's getting frustrated and decides to just do without or she runs away.
I'm her mom, someone who is supposed to provide for her, help her, understand her. She runs to me and yet feels like I'm not really there for her. I don't get her a drink when she is thirsty, I don't kiss her boo boo and make her feel better. No wonder why this attachment thing is tough.
You may see things differently when I am with her. Even though things seem ok, keep in mind that she hears things but doesn't understand them. Early Intervention did tell me that she is way above in understanding me according to her hearing loss. She is more "in tuned" to my voice than anyone else. Because she is smart, she is picking up on more than expected by watching our faces. It's a good thing that we are a loud and dramatic family. : )
Anyway, that's about it. My first signing lesson is Tuesday - wish me luck! If anyone has a question, please ask. Also family.... everyone will need a signing of their name. She'll know mom, dad, grandma, etc. She will need to know your name in sign. It's whatever you want it to be. The boys are making the letter of their first name and using that. Patrick is making the letter P by his face because he wears glasses. Anthony is making the A and is rubbing it from one side of his chest to the other like an upside down U. We are thinking MeeNa will the the letter K for Korea and touch it to her heart because she is from Korea and is in all of our hearts. Whatcha think?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Recent cakes I made
This is our solar system ala cake - just the big 2. The little ones are frosting.
Wow - it's been a whole year
Patrick loves his broccoli, as long as he doesn't have to eat the stem!
The past year has flown by so quickly. My kids are another year older! I was just thinking the other day that Patrick will be getting "The Talk" in about 2 years. I can't wait to see how Mike handles that. Here are some updated photos of the kids. They are from the kids' party. I celebrated all three this year at one time - I will continue to combine their birthday parties with the family. Kids' parties, obviously, will be separate. Enjoy
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
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