Deaf Mama Sews

The weather is miserably hot of late. Temps hitting in the near 100's with not much to spare and the humidity is through the roof. As of yesterday afternoon the AC decided it just wasn't worth it and gave up on us, or so we thought. Turns out I'm not very good at flipping circuit breakers. A much welcomed visit from my darling father and all was well again!

The girls are extremely bored despite swimming, trips to the thrift store, various crafts, along with outdoor, tv and computer time. Unfortunately between keeping the girls occupied and Brett's great adventures (he's become quite a little tyrant and escape20 artist!) I haven't had sewing time as I'd like. I'm to blame also, due to my lack of ability in the time organization department. I have been working on a couple of shirts for me, and also finished a few UFO's that have been lounging around just to long.

While I'm sewing I like to listen to music. I find it's relaxing and I seem to stay on track better. The implant has been an amazing success, so I'm back to listening to my music and at least straightening my sewing room a bit. So far I'm just now supposed to start hearing and understanding voices vs noises, but the implant has been such a success I've been doing that since day 1! Now it's just a matter of making things clearer and finding the right adjustments for optimum hearing. It's been a fun experience!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and staying cool!

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Surgery and recovery went really well!! it's amazing how fast a month goes by with six kids, dog and cat. Summer has been in session almost three weeks now and the girls are loving it! We've been to the pool, had some great fun days playing basket ball, doing artwork and whatever else they can think up.

Ash has returned from her trip to Fort Knox for the JROTC program. The girl is just amazing in her strength and ability to overcome obstacles as her recent trip proved. I'm grateful to have her back home safe and sound but I know it won't be to much longer before she's craving some serious challenges again. What a great kid!!

So today was my big day to finally program my processor in order to hear with the implant! I was very nervous things wouldn't go well. I was hearing words all day!! Lots of new noises, sneezes, giggles, talking, plastic rustling, velcro ripping, water running, birds singing, dog eating, people walking, flip flops flopping, heels tapping, click clacking, doors closing, etc... Things sound strange, loud, mechanical, robotic. With all that said.. they have sounds. How amazing!! I absolutely could understand almost every word spoken to me all day. Only a few times did I have to revert to the old "huh, what did you say" and that in itself is a miricle!!

Today I'll wear the processor again.. for a while I will still be getting accustommed to the whole new world of sound. I am in awe of it all!!

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I am sooooo EXCITED!!!!!!


My surgery date has been moved up to May 14th! Of course once all my plans were set I had to throw a loop for everyone... surely it won't be that traumatic, since it's only a week earlier. But a week EARLIER? Yowza!

I'm not to nervous, which is amazing, considering it's well.. surgery. But I'm so excited to do the very things we take for granted on a day to day basis. Talking on the phone is one. Not having to concentrate super hard just to have a conversation is another. Oh and can't forget being able to hear the radio... or understand people talking when they're not looking directly at me. So many many things...

I'm working on my sewing, I've got several things to SNS, along with 4 quilts to machine quilt and bind. I just cut out several pieces for Brett's summer wardrobe that have to be sewn, along with several new diapers. Are you seeing a trend? I can't finish anything for one reason or another! I'm waiting on a new low shank quilting foot from ebay to finish the quilts, I need flannel (or something??) for the diapers, I need spraypaint to finish the double so I can do SNS's on the outfits I've done and I'm still cutting before I'm ready to sew to finish off this batch of clothes for brett.


WHEW. That's how my brain works. Very over complicated eh?

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So I'm taking the big jump! I will be hearing again somewhat... soon.

I had my first evaluation for cochlear implants today... lots of testing. April 7th I'll be going back to get more testing, chose which brand of implant I want to go with and have a CT scan. Then we'll schedule the surgery (outpatient) for sometime at the end of May. Perfect timing since the girls will be getting out of school.

I will be completely deaf (no hearing aid) for 3 weeks. It's only 3 weeks but wow. What a quiet 3 weeks. I hope the kids can deal well with it.

I've been sewing but not as much as I should. The yardwork and spring time have been calling. I look forward to getting some things planted and making the house look all prettiful. I have 3 quilt tops that need quilting and binding... several spring outfits for the girls that need sewing... and one 16 month old boy who needs a daytime playmate! He cries the minute I walk into the sewing room... He just knows mommy won't give her full attention then. Hopefully he'll grow out of it soon, but I've been saying that since he was 6 weeks old so I doubt there's an end in sight.

Off to get the kiddos, cook supper, do homework and clean!

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Sick bay is finally closed! After 5 out of 6 babes were sick, Ashtyn and I managed to avoid the high fevers, coughing and general "mommy I feel reaaaaally sick" bug. Thank goodness!

Poor Brett had the worst of it. After running a little temp all day, he had a sudden spike and the poor baby had a febrile seizure. We called 911 and went to the ER in the ambulance. That's something I never ever want to do again, at least not awake! After about 4 hrs in the ER we were sent home, his fever was under control and he was drinking, seemed to be feeling much better. I was still terrified but the dr gave us the option of staying overnight or going home, so we went home. By the next morning his fever had broken, just a runny nose left to show for all the previous drama.

Meanwhile I've quit smoking. Tomorrow will be two weeks, tho I'll admit, I've cheated a couple of times. Still, I've made a TON of progress, going from a pack a day to only about 4 cigs in two weeks. I dont feel any better (yet), though the cravings aren't as bad as I expected. However, my concentration sucks now and since I've had to change how I do litterally everything, I feel "off". It's worth it though, and I figure I've already saved about $45! I am so cheap that just seeing the savings makes it worth it.

Current happenings in the sewing room... I'm working on a double irish chain quilt. Tiny pieces, queen size quilt, I'd say I'm about 1/4 of the way done with piecing the blocks, but I've yet to put a whole block together. Sunday night was fun, Anna, Alexis and I had a bit of a routine going. I sewed strips together, Alexis clipped connecting threads, handed sewn pieces to Anna who ironed out the seams. Both did excellent work! If I could talk them into helping again they would cut the time in half, but of course they have much better things to do. (Like pick out fabric for their summer outfits.)

back to the sewing room to work a bit before the little man awakens and demands his breakfast and cuddles.

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Obama became president, that was big.

I got my spring issue of Ottobre, that was big too!

But while Obama was giving his oath... Something even bigger happened.

Brett took his first little wobbly, short, sidestepping steps.

My little boy walks like a crab.

I'm still happy. At 14 months and 2 days it was time, though bittersweet. He still loves to cuddle sometimes and I'm occasionally allowed to bury my nose in his super soft curly hair. But he's no longer "the little baby" and I will miss that dearly, as I have with his sisters. I do look forward to see him grow up, and hope he's every bit as smart, funny and sweet as his older sisters. He has some great role models to follow and so many people hold him dear... I think he'll turn out just fine. Even if he does walk like a crab.

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