Friday Fun Day

We started our day driving into DC to Nat. Geo. studios to finish up the photo shoots for Aiden's piece in an upcoming piece that includes the amazing world of cochlear implants. Despite the fact it was all during his nap time and that we had to take many breaks, he was truly a real trooper. I forgot my camera, but captured what I could of a nonstop toddler on my iPhone, which, I've come to find out, does not take the best "in action" pictures.

As soon as he hit his carseat, he was out. Which I wasn't too excited for as I'd rather him sleep at home then in a car when I can do nothing productive (part of my ADD/OCD etc problem). But, I have to say he slept on the way home, ate lunch, then took another nap at home! WOO HOO!

I actually had to wake him up from his nap (can't believe I actually did this) at 4:30pm to head to the Johns Hopkins Cochlear Implant picnic. What a nice time we had! Aiden's daddy had to work, so his brother, sister and I all piled into the family vehicle and headed out, not having a clue what to expect. It was very nice to meet so many wonderful people. I talked to so many people and got many different hearing loss perspectives. This is what's so wonderful about this world, no two stories are alike. We met people who have been in this journey for quite some time, people who are just beginning (like us), and parents who are about to embark on this amazing endeavor. It was a great time to not only meet other mom's in my shoes, but even more so to hear first hand from the adult CI users themselves.

Our miracle makers ... Aiden's surgeon, Dr. Niparko

and his audiologist, Miss Jill

By the time we got home, Aiden was done. He had such a great day of hearing. He didn't eat too much at the picnic, so after his bath I gave him some cereal and fruit to fill his belly in hopes of a full nights sleep. Usually, after every bath I only put back on one implant to test that particular ear. Tonight, he was done with hearing altogether and showed me in his very silly ways. Here's my silly little man being his silly little self. (Stop the music on the right before playing the video!)

Laughter is Key

Today, as I listened to Kailyn read baby einstein, Touch and Feel Farm Animals to Aiden, I laughed out loud as she made the horse sounds to him. As I laughed, Aiden turned his head, looked at me, and smiled (I was sitting sorta behind him to the left)! I've never seen him turn toward a noise, just reactions as we're face to face talking! I laughed one of those teary eyed laughs and responded back with a, "you heard mommy laugh!" and a huge kiss on the cheek! PROGRESS with hearing aids right!!!

Over the past couple of days Aiden is also starting to giggle, not quite those all out baby belly laughs, but tiny giggles. Before, he would just smile real big and I'd keep waiting for any sound to come out; I was getting scared nothing ever would. But they're here and I'm sure those big belly laughs are right around the corner! I can't wait!
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On another note, Aiden is three months old today. I took the big step and moved all of his things upstairs to his room ... I have to get him out of the bassinet in our room and into his crib and it's a hard transition (more for me than him I'm sure). I've done good so far though, he's on his second nap in his crib (aren't you proud of me mom)! We'll see if he makes it up there tonight!