Our breakfast with Adrian

What a wonderful morning. We met our friends who recently had their son, Adrian, implanted at 9 months. We saw him for the first time today at breakfast in Boulder with baby Liam. His implants are the newest, latest and greatest and he didn't even seem to mind they were on. I was shocked being that a lot of our friends with children who have implants complain that keeping them on their tiny head is the hardest part. He is doing great with his bionic ears and we are so amazed still that there is technology out their to enable kids to have spoken language and to hear sound.

Lion's newest talents include waving to and fro, winking...yes, we wink at him and he "winks" back with both eyes, with all his might opening and closing his big blue eyes. It is about the funniest thing I have seen him do yet. He is into everything, including my weights in the basement, and learning sign. We are only teaching but a few signs for now since after he will be implanted we will focus on auditory verbal and will most likely drop the sign.

Liam has 2 teeth on top and 4 in the bottom. I cannot believe how time is flying. He isn't walking by himself yet, but I am sure once he gets up the confidence to break away from the ottoman, he will be going full blast.

We have all been sick for about two weeks now. First, me with the croup, then Charles got a cold and now Liam. I never thought I would see the day when Charles was really sick because he has such a strong immune system.
Well, lets hope this week will be the week we hear something back from United Healthcare. Hopefully good news and a surgery date!

How can you be so happy?

If there is one lesson I learned today it was that despite our challenges in life we are in control of our happiness. I can truly say this is true seeing how happy our little Liam is despite his hearing loss, despite a red bum from diaper rash, despite his sniffles. He just continues to thrive and be as happy as can be despite it all. When I wake up in the morning I go to his room to see a smile from ear to ear peaking through his wooden crib slats. His day and my day begin with happiness, trust and love. What a way to start the day. What a way to end it. I look forward to continue to learn about life from my son. Boy do I love him.

The joy of Motherhood

Liam will be 10 months on the 22nd. It has all gone by so fast and we are still waiting for the letter from United Healthcare. Every day I look forward to opening the mail box to see if a letter awaits with the return address from United. Will it be a joyful letter, a life changing letter or a letter telling us we have been denied once again? They said that they approved bi-lateral implants at 12 months so I hope and pray they mean it.

Our friends son just received implants on the 10th and he is 9 months and doing great. I so wish Liam was in the same boat but we just enjoy him for who he is now and enjoy him every day. I cannot believe how his smile lights up a room and how his eyes communicate to us since he is yet unable to. He is using a few signs like "milk" and "more" and will blow me an occasional kiss and wave and clap when he sees his Mom or Dad. When he claps it is like he is saying "hang in there, be joyful, we are almost there Mom and Dad". Just thinking about him right now as he sleeps makes me want to cry b/c I love that little guy so much.

Tonight we went to dinner with some dear friends of ours and as we sat their eating pizza, my friend said to me " It just seems like Liam can hear us". It does seem as though Liam can hear since he is so observant and alert. He has learned to listen with his eyes and I often forget he is living in a silent world. What will it be like when he can hear the birds chirp or the rain hit against the window during a storm? Or the clash or thunder or a snoring pug? I cannot wait. To teach him to hear, teach him to love and teach him to never take his health and technology for granted. If we would have had Liam 5 or 6 years ago we wouldn't have had the opportunity we have today.