Pure Randomness

Sometimes I wish I had more quiet time to sit and savor my thoughts; or simpler yet, savor the moment I'm in at that particular time. I feel at a loss for words today, yet so much is running through my mind. Simple things. So I sit and try to write, while Aiden sleeps in his highchair, hands resting in his mac and cheese, mouth open, so tired.

Random thoughts ...

Aiden's been particularly quiet today. Maybe adjusting to his new map from yesterday? or maybe he's just plain out tired from our two day trip away from home, which included a late night playing with cousins, an audiology appointment AND auditory verbal therapy, back to back. My little man's such a trooper. I commend him for all he goes through and truly, he is THE.HAPPIEST.KID I know. It's amazing how such a little person can have such a big impact on an adult ... that adult being me.

Teenagers. not easy. especially after an all nighter with friends. enough said. BUT, LOVE HIM to death and am amazed at the young man he's turning into. no matter how much his mouth gets him into trouble. Ugh.

I love playdates for Kailyn. She's been consumed in GIRLY LAUGHTER and conversation all.day.long and I'm loving every minute of it. Sometimes ... no, lots of times ... I wish I was her age again.

Aiden came into the laundry room today, stood on the dryer door as I was putting clothes in the washer, looked right at me, and said, "AWSH" out of nowhere, not once, but three times. No prompting. Not a word from my mouth. All on his own. It still amazes me my DEAF son is learning to SPEAK from HEARING!!! Does the amazement ever end? I hope not.

I'm so THANKFUL for our AV therapist. Although it's a good two hour drive, I've never seen Aiden so involved. I am amazed each and every time how Dr. Don can keep Aiden's attention for well over an hour. Yesterday he even helped out in the soundbooth prior to therapy, working with the audiologist to get Aiden's right CI back on track (Aiden hasn't been responding to the low frequency sounds as well as I'd like with this ear). LOVE.HIM.

Amazing moment #1 of yesterday's therapy - Aiden pointed to the star mobile hanging from the ceiling, and spontaneously announced "SAR" which of course we all clapped, and broke into a chorus of "Twinkle, Twinkle".

I miss my mom. Really.really.really bad. She's such an AMAZING woman. I'm so lucky to have her.

This weekend, I had the privilege to meet another CI mom. In my rush to get out the door on our way up north, I FORGOT all of Aiden's back up equipment, INCLUDING his battery charger AND disposable batteries. I was SO lucky to have Erin Toe's mom close by and come to my rescue. It was so wonderful to finally meet her. She was the second person to email me back after I found out Aiden was deaf. She provided me so much COMFORT and HOPE. As I told my SIL the story, I held back tears remembering the words Toe's mom wrote to me. Words I will never forget,

"Do not let this define who your baby is, but even more so, do not let his deafness define who you are either." THANK YOU W! for EVERYTHING!

I can't believe I'm going to be an aunt on my side of the family. I have 16, maybe 17, nieces and nephews from my husband's side of the family, all of whom I SIMPLY ADORE. This will be the fourth grandchild for my mom, the other three of course, being mine. I can't wait to see my brother's little boy and welcome him to our world.

Amazing moment #2 at therapy with Dr. Don. As we sang "Ring Around the Rosy", Aiden decided, out of nowhere, to bust out with "ashs, ashs". I've sang this song with him like twice. Maybe. Guess it's going to be our next all day, everyday song to sing!

It makes me all "GIDDY" (a word I love and stole from a bestie back in Texas) inside to live so close to my husband's family. I had a blast hangin' with my two sisters (actually, my husband's sisters, but they're just as much mine as they are his) the night before Aiden's appointments. Chatting, drinking cocktails, laughing, remembering. fun.Fun.TRIPLE FUN!

Only two weeks left of school. I'm so excited for all we have planned and so THANKFUL we have the opportunity to have this fun and provide our kids a memorable summer (trip to Disney, camping with grandma, family reunion at my BIL's cabin in New York, possibly a trip to Texas for a hearing loss camp).

Now I have to go. My AMAZING, supportive, absolutely HILARIOUS husband is taking me on a FUN date,

to get away from reality for a bit,

just him and I,

no kids invited,

and I can't wait.