Thursday, August 22, 2013

Poor Girl???

Last week at the YMCA daycare, the daycare student smiled at Riley Mae and said "poor girl", with a smile and open arms. Poor girl?

Now let me give you alittle background....

Riley was born with EVA which is an enlarged vestibular that makes her have little to no hearing in both ears. This condition usually gets worse over time, and it has for Riley. She was born with some hearing in her left ear, and over time...it was getting worse.

We, Josh and I, decided to get her cochlear implants in both ears at 9 months old. Research shows that the younger the child gets implanted and starts getting stimulation of sound, the better chances are of them developing speech and being at the same level of their peers.

Now let me skip 9 months and now she has had the surgery, gotten activated in BOTH ears and is happy as can be. She babbles, looks to sounds, claps and is now waving to everyone! Would you call that a poor girl?




I actually feel for moms that don't take every single word and movement their child makes for granted. Last night I was talking to Riley and I said HI RILEY.....she looked at me and waved. She listened to me. She didn't just hear me, she was listening. I cried! How many moms can say that. It is just natural for them. Every time Riley listens, I notice. Every time Riley makes a reaction to sound, I notice. It has made me a better mom. 







Two weeks ago I was playing with Riley and I started laughing (which is a loud annoying sound) and Riley dropped everything a looked at me and just had such a big smile. She heard that. Those are the moments I would miss if Riley had normal hearing. Every little sound I point out when we are outside...the wind, the trees, the birds, cars, everything. Would I do that if Riley had normal hearing?

So many times we are so busy that we don't notice how are children develop. How much they learn through their environment. I can hostly say that I am NOT guilty of that. I work full time, teach 3 spinning classes a week, have speech therapy for Riley once a week but I still notice every single move she makes. We she hears her toys, I notice. She has broughten me that gift. The gift of motherhood that most moms don't have. The gift to be happy when my child is talking to much, or waking up the baby, or being loud in a restuarant.

So many times I see complaining on Facebook about such small miniscle things that make me think....that poor girl. She doesn't realize that even though their child is waking up the baby, or running around like a maniac screaming, she has a gift that she takes for granted. That will be something that I never take for granted...something that makes me smile everyday. Riley will have more than most kids I know.

Now do you think this is a poor girl???




Shannon

Friday, August 9, 2013

10 Month Pistol


Ms. Mae,

 Well little girl, I would have to say that we've had quite the road with you. After your surgery, you have been back in the hospital for 4 days, then home for 2 weeks, and back for 2 days. Your on two different medicines and this time for 4 weeks! This infection will just not let up. I have a feeling we are going to be back again.

You are one strong little girl. You don't ever give up. You go at your own pace. And when you want something...we all know about it. You laugh. Oh boy do you laugh. Your dad's really the only one that can make you belly laugh for a long time. You just find him so amusing...it's hilarious.

You are hearing so much with your CI (right side) that it is amazing. You look to sound now, look to toys that make sounds and most importantly...you dance! You heard mama laugh for the first time the other night. You stopped, looked and smiled right to me. It was the bet moment. You keep shining and learning more everyday. You lost your voice because of all the talking you do. IT'S GREAT.



We're still working on crawling, which you dispize, but you are all about standing. I think you say "only babies crawl", I'm gonna walk! That's so your personality. We still try and one day we will be chasing after you. Don't grow up too soon, go your own pace.

You love food. Any and all kinds. We fed you chicken for the first time last night and you LOVED it. You eat everything that you can get your hands on to. If you don't like it, you push it away...far away.

You love bath time, sleeping, all your toys, putting things in your mouth, going outside, swinging on your swing set, Rome, swimming and believe it or not, taking your medicine. There really isn't anything you don't like...well maybe cottage cheese, but we will work on that.




You're in size 12 month clothes-12 MONTH! That's like a toddler...gosh you are getting so big. Size 3 diapers and growing by the second. The last check up went great. You are now 18 lbs, and 23 inches tall. This was your first time on the growth chart, only 7% but you're still on it!



There isn't anything we wouldn't do for you. You have so many people in your corner, more prayers then god can possibly keep up with. You are only lucky little girl, not to mention fashionable. I look forward to everything life has in store for us, the good and the bad. You are truly my sunshine in everyday. I love you to the moon and back, more than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

Love,

Your Mama




Tuesday, August 6, 2013

9 Month Baby


Since Riley's 10 month is tomorrow I naturally thought it was time to update the world on her nine month. ahem. Well TECHNICALLY if you look at gestational age she is going to be nice months, so I'm on track. Right?



My Sweet Riley, I can't believe your only 9 months when I feel like you've been in my life forever. You have such a personality and such a little person that you feel like a 9 year old, not 9 month old. You are such a charmer and everyone just loves to be around you. You are a one happy happy baby.


 Love your sleep; you will sleep 10 hours a night and be ready to play when you get up. You laugh out loud and play with whatever you can get your hands on. Everything goes right to the mouth. Every. Single. Time.

You love love love to eat. Sweet potatoes, apples, advocato, peas, bean, banana, pears...you name it. You get so excited when you see that bib coming on that you can barely stand it. Your legs get straight and you arms start going crazy. You're too cute.

This month was a big month with your surgery going on. You had such a support group there; we took up the whole 3rd floor. 6 hours of waiting, hoping, praying. Everything turned out great and Dr. Yates was amazing. I thank him everyday for his talent. He has taken great care of you (more to come).




We had our first family vacation and you had a blast. You didn't love the lake water but still had a great time hanging out with everyone. Your first of many times to sleeping bear dunes. I hope to make many more memories of vacationing with family, friends and you seeing the world.


Your are the sweetest little girl and I couldn't have even dreamed this up. I look into your eyes and see so much going on in there. Alittle bit of me, some of your dad, but mostly your strength, your courage and your ability to make everything better for everyone. You're my best friend. I love you to the moon and back. I love you more than you will ever know, more than the sunset on a summer night, more than chocolate.

 Love, Your mama