Learning from the past and moving forward...

I now know that "planning" to update a blog and actually doing it are two very DIFFERENT things.  I still have the desire need to document this journey we are one.  My goal is still to gather information, advice, learn from others and to perhaps offer up something that might help others along the way.

To reach any goal you have to have a plan.  That is something I was lacking when it came to taking the time to actually write down what we are doing with Nathan.  So learning from the past and moving forward I have some clear goals on what I want this little spot of cyberspace to become.  I've written some steps on how I will get there.  I'll share those with you in the week to come.  You'll notice themed posts that will start to build a library.  A resource center if you will.

Stay tuned.....

Lisa

So Thankful!

Today Nathan is home sick from school and I titled my post "So Thankful".

Why?

A year ago Nathan would not have been able to tell us he was sick.  He would have woken up crying and looking around - desperate for us to understand what was going on.

This morning he woke up - tears in his eyes - and signed to us he was sick and his tummy hurt. So for that, I 'm thankful.  He was able to convey what was bothering him.



Lisa

I'll take the small steps!

For Mothers Day my family went to a local park for an afternoon picnic.  My nieces took Emily and Nathan to play at the playground.   Nathan asked for help!  This is HUGE for him.  He put together a sentence all on his own (no copy signing) and used his voice.  For someone other than Mommy or Daddy!

"Can I have help, please". 

Yeah!  So proud of him.  He has come so far in a year since implant!

Lisa

He said "I WUV YOU"

Last night as I tucked Nathan into bed I leaned over and did what I've done countless times.  I turned his head and said into his Cochlear Implant ~ I love you.
Much to my surprise he turned my head and said so very clearly into my ear "I WUV YOU"!  I quickly said my good nights and slipped from the room before he could notice the tears forming in my eyes.
Nathan tells me all the time he loves me....signs it to me.  He is an affectionate little guy.  Telling me he loves me is nothing new.

Saying it was!

Be still my heart.  This Mommy is overwhelmed.

Lisa

Love this video

Someday I hope and pray that Nathan will be able to understand this song....in my head I know he will, but my hearts wants it sooner for him.  It is beautiful.

Lisa

So much to learn

Nathan has much to learn as he "catches up" on language and communication.  It can be daunting at times.  I'm sure it frustrates him as well.  Everything must be taught...nothing is learned by just "overhearing" for a Deaf child.  Think about it...Nathan is learning English, sign language, social skills that are different from the first 6 years of his life, how to fit in a family...the list goes on and on.  It can be down right exhausting and a lot to expect from anyone.  My goal is to make learning fun...in essence to "play games".  This includes his weekly spelling list.

I'm not monkeying around about it either.

I'm always trying to think of new ways to present the same old boring thing.

Lisa

A start of a converstation!

Nothing and I mean nothing is as exciting to be able to communicate with your children for the first time...to ask a question (a question we've asked for 2 years) and have them ANSWER!!!! Yippee! Our family loves to share the highlight of our day with each other (okay Art and I do).

We started from day one asking Nathan what he liked best about the day - we finally had an answer.  We took Emily and Nathan to an Easter Egg Hunt at the local Children's Museum and on the way home were asking what the best part of the day was.  Emily of course chimed right in, right away.  Nathan was looking around and I wondered if he really understood what we asked.  We signed and spoke again and waited....and waited...and waited.  Apparently, he was really thinking about it.  He told us he liked looking for eggs above his waist! Had to chuckle because that was the rule for his age group - above the waist eggs only.  I asked if he liked anything else and signed "fire truck" (they have 1/2 of a truck for the kids to play on) and riding all the cars (they have all different types of transportation from around the world). Not complete sentences but enough "correctly" signed words that we all knew what each other was talking about.

Praise God - what an answer to prayer!  The whole communication thing is FINALLY starting to click....Nathan is such a hard worker and desperately wants to talk/sign with us.  He tries so hard.

Lisa

PS - we've been INCREDIBLY sick for over a month and blogging (sometimes just getting up) was beyond the scope of what I could do in the day. Starting to feel some better....lets hope it sticks this time!