Ben's Thursday

I had to write about one of Ben's days because in my opinion, he had one spectacular Thursday without it being something over the top like a trip or anything. I just love my little goober so much and am always thinking about him!

On Thursday my little man woke up bright and early and went to school for a few hours. He had his speech therapy, which he LOVES his teacher (Ms. Cheryl) and had several hours of outside time on the playground with his classmates. I then picked him up, got home, dived into some yummy cheese curls and then took a short nap. After the short nap we woke up and played for hours outside in the sprinkler, with a cooler full of water with myself and his friend Maddie down the street. It went pretty well since those two usually butt heads and spent the majority of the time laughing hysterically. Ben started gaining more and more kids outside of his house to join in on some of the fun. We went inside and no later did we get him changed but his Dad came home from work. With him he had gone to the Krispy Kreme store and bought him a few cool presents like a sword and a basketball bath toy. Ben was needless to say VERY thrilled with his new presents. After a kid meal consisting of mac and cheese with fruit, he settled in downstairs for movie night and watched Tangled with his parents. He sat through most of it and loved it! It was his first animated blue ray movie in the basement. He even got to go to bed late that night. I would say he had one spectacular day!

Hearing

I thought nothing when a kind lady came through the door two and a half days after Alexis was born to take her hearing test while we were both still in the hospital. It was a routine check for all babies. I said a quick prayer and didn't think much of it. It was only until I saw a frown on her face and her changing out a knob to her instrument when I asked what was going on. Alexis had passed the left ear screening test but was not passing the right ear hearing test so she was using a different size ear plug. While I certainly pay attention to anything my children are being tested on, that perked my ears up and I immediately felt a lump in my throat. The knob made no difference, she didn't pass. The lady assured me she would return tomorrow and perhaps she just has fluid in her right ear from the birth. She explained to me it was a common occurrence and not to worry. It was hard not to worry, but having high blood pressure issues and desperately wanting out of the hospital so I could have my whole family together again, I prayed to God for my child to pass her hearing test.

The next day a different lady came into the room. She smiled and took both ear measurements again. Again we had the same result. She could hear out of her left ear but not her right. It certainly was not the news I was expecting. We were told to come in two weeks to the hospital to have it rescreened again. Perhaps she still had fluid in her ear the technician said. I had prayed earlier, but I was certainly starting to pray now.

Two weeks went by in a blur. I was regaining my strength back from giving birth and being incredibly ill with high blood pressure issues. Alexis' Daddy and I took her in for her tests and again she failed the test just like she had two times previously. Both techs were in the room at that time and both tried it to see if one or the other could get a reading. All the while tears were streaming down my face. I had a silent conversation and told God that I need one ear to at least hear my babies when they need me, but if I could give my sweet little baby my right ear so she could have two perfect ears then please take it. I had to remind myself to breathe and not cry too hard. It may sound selfish but the blood pressure problem was still an issue. I didn't want to get worse. I didn't want something to happen to me where I had to go back into the hospital without my baby. We were told to schedule an appointment in about six weeks at a different location and have Alexis screened for an ABR (audio brainstem response test). The name sounded incredibly scary but the very sympathetic technicians both told me it was not invasive at all. I just wanted my baby to hear. Dear God, I just wanted her to hear well.

At that point since it was suppose to be a two hour test and it had to be a completely silent test I had to break down and ask my parents to watch my son. I know its sounds silly, but I didn't want to tell anyone. I did it for various reasons because I didn't have any information to give anybody, there were more tests to come and honestly I just didn't want anyone to ask me about it. I wasn't ashamed. I was in a state of helplessness that I couldn't do anything for her and felt like I somehow was the cause of her inability to hear. Maybe it was something I did while she was in utero. Maybe I didn't drink enough water. Maybe I ran around too much with my son. Maybe I should of ate more vegetables. As much as those thoughts seem ridiculous to some people, as a Mom (at least for me) you experience all sorts of "should I of " or "what if" questions when your baby is less then perfect when they are born.

The time disappeared and it was mid May and time for her to have her ABR test. It was a blessing in some ways because her test was finally here, but sad because the maternity leave was slipping by so quickly and I honestly was afraid of what the test results would be. I had prayed to God with my son (he seems to hear childrens prayers a bit more) every single day. Every moment I had to myself, I prayed for Alexis. I prayed for him to let her hear. Let my sweet girl know the noises around her like birds chirping, wind blowing and gentle melodies I tried to sing to her. The same sort of noises I didn't hear very well when I was a child who had fluid and infections going on in my own ears. I walked in nervously into Prince William Hospital with my daughter and husband by my side. I saw all sorts of advertisements for hearing aids and I did my best to block it all out. I filled out paperwork. I sat in a blur of aggressive foot tapping and trying my best to hold back the tears. It seemed like an eternity before we were called back. Alexis had to be completely quiet for the test and all day I tried in vain to keep her awake so she would nap and was sure to bring her favorite blanket so she could rest while the audiologist performed the test. The test in itself took about and hour and a half. I held my baby in a chair, swaddled in my arms and did not move a muscle. Literally I did not move A MUSCLE. I dared not skew the test in any shape or form as I wanted Alexis to have the most accurate results. It was after praying, tearing up like crazy that the audiologist (she is an angel) looked at me and told me that Alexis was not deaf but she wasn't passing the hearing test. I breathed a sigh of relief but was still extremely worried. If you whispered in her right ear, she would not hear you the audiologist told us. The next test they did a bone ABR test. This test was noninvasive, basically there were the same two pads on her forehead and pads behind each ear with the initial ABR test but this bone ABR included one more pad behind her right ear. This test was to bypass anything in her ear to see if the hearing loss was permanent or temporary. I prayed to God. I shouted in my head for him to hear my prayer. I needed him. I needed my sweet girl to be okay. I needed her to hear. The silence during the test was killing me. Finally, the audiologist looked up at me kindly and said it wasn't permanent.

Thank you God!

You have no idea how wonderful that was to hear. She was going to be okay! We then confirmed with another test that she in fact had fluid in her ears which was preventing her to hear correctly. This was fixable. However, not quite yet. We were told in 4-6 weeks time to come back and check the fluid levels, if they are good we can do the rescreening and if they are bad then we note that and come back in another 4-6 weeks. If those test show any fluids for the third time, then we will need to see an ENT for them to evaluate and figure out what the next step is going to be. Obviously they will not do anything to a baby as young as my little Alexis is, but it doesn't hurt to pick their brain. My son was due for a visit to his ENT as he has more then one ear infection in the past year and we needed to make sure the tubes he did have put in actually came out (its not good to have tubes in too long) and in this visit I can also pick his brain to see what I should expect for Alexis. I know right now we are building a history by going to see the audiologist, but I want to know what I should expect if she doesn't end up passing.

After I left the doctors office I finally felt some of the weight I've been holding on my shoulders for the past two months lift a little. My Alexis could hear. Her ear could be fixed. It is just a matter of time if the fluid drains or does she need extra help from a doctor to do that. I'm thankful to God for hearing my prayers. Obviously I would rather her never suffer hearing loss in any way, but I am so glad that it is possible for her to hear. I'm beyond thankful.

Thank you God. Thank you for letting my baby have the chance to hear.

Last weekend Ben visited Andrews AFB Open House with his parents, Alexis, Nagypapa and Nagymama. He really loved seeing the airplanes flying from our car and the bus that took us to the location until we reached the actual location. Very quickly Ben did not care for the noise. Who would guess with a kid that lives so close to their airport? It wasn't loud enough for me to be concerned about the noise for his sisters ears or his,but he was fearful nonetheless, so we ended up getting him some ear muffs to drown out the noise. After that he had the most fantastic time. He wanted to look at everything, eat everything and sit on everything. We went from helicopter to helicopter, plane to plane and car to car. He will tell you his most favorite thing from the air show is certainly the helicopters. He has a thing with helicopters. I and a airman explained to him if he studies hard in school then perhaps someday he'll be able to fly his own planes or helicopters. He certainly liked that idea. Overall it was a fantastic day for the entire family. We all went home tired, but hope to come back next year to enjoy it once again. Andrews is such a beautiful base!

Two Month Check Up

Alexis had her two month check up on May 18th. I knew she was growing like a weed, but she was 10lbs 14oz (50th percentile) and grew 3 inches so she is now 23 inches long (75 percentile)! She is absolutely beautiful and such a smiley little girl. Her brother was a happy baby, but I certainly don't remember him smiling as much as Alexis smiles. She barely cries unless she thinks we aren't moving fast enough for her bottle and still has yet to learn to sleep through the night. Its so wonderful having her our life. Just look at her cute little face!

First Dance

Alexis attended her first dance over the weekend with her brother, Dad, Mom, Nagypapa, Nagymama, Uncle, Aunt and her cousin at the Epiphany Spring Dance. It was certainly a family affair! Before we left I had to get some pictures of her all dolled up. She must of liked her new dress because she gave me her first on camera smile, which is captured above. She's such a sweetheart.

Her brother spent much of the evening running like a wild child around the dance floor with his cousin. Alexis was admired by other parishioners that haven't yet to meet her (I didn't even think that was possible per her Nagypapa showing her to everyone in previous Sundays before or after church) and those that wanted to just say hi. She certainly already has lots of onlookers watching her grow and admiring the beautiful head of hair she has as well as her sweet, beautiful little face. Alexis mainly stayed with someone who was taking a break dancing but she did make it out to the dance floor for one dance. She danced with her Daddy to Moon River. I didn't ask him to take her out there. He recognized the song from me singing it from time to time and decided to have a turn on the dance floor with his girl. I certainly got teary eyed witnessing that!



The evening ended before long as we left before ten, but it was certainly passed a little three year olds bed time. I can't wait for more dances like this. Perhaps next year she'll be walking around a little and enjoy it a little bit more. Love you sweetheart!

Easter

Alexis celebrated her major holiday already, Easter! She really could care less about it this year, but was sweet as usual. Her brother woke up bright and early and could not wait to see what the Easter bunny had brought him this year. Ben got a few cool items with the highlight being a net, a spiderman blanket and yummy candy. He was so excited he barely took any photos for me, but did take the time out to give his sister the presents she received from the Easter bunny. He is always thinking about his sister!



After we got through all the presents, we all finished getting dressed and headed out to eight o'clock liturgy. Alexis was so well behaved through all of it! Hardly a peep.


After liturgy and the blessings of the baskets, we all headed home for a while to give Ben a nap before we saw his cousin. We all later went over to Nagypapa and Nagymama's house were even more baskets were handed out. Alexis got a beautiful party dress and onesies. We had such a beautiful day celebrating with Nagypapa, Nagymama, Aunt Amy, Uncle Eric, Ty and the Schusters. I loved celebrating our new holiday with our peanut and she certainly looked beautiful in her Mom's vintage baby dress. Happy Easter!

Christ Is Risen!

Maternity Leave

Ben, Alexis and I are currently on maternity leave. Ben however does go to school three days a week, three hours a day to keep up with lessons, play soccer, speech therapy and for play time with peers. He is really doing outstanding with having a new sister in the house. I have to say I can't really see any set backs (I thought there may be with potty training) or jealousy. He actually is quite helpful, tells us how we should help Alexis (he thinks he knows more then us sometimes) and truly loves his sister. I am SOOO very thankful for his fantastic attitude, because any parent can say you never know how it will be when you bring another child home.

Ben is really excelling at his vocabulary. He astounds people that haven't seen him in a month or two with how much he has learned. He still needs the therapy, but as I have seen and his speech teacher comments on her weekly reports that he is such a hard worker. He just needs to remember to slow down for pronunciation and that there are letters that still need to be worked on.

Another thing my Mom told me to write down on here is how much of a boy he is. Last week I took him to church. I am happy to say his church is another part of him. He loves the place and feels completely comfortable being himself. It is mostly a good thing. He loves chasing a little girl there named Josie. He tries so hard to get her attention and she is completely coy about the whole matter fully knowing what he is doing. She shocked him last week by giving him a hug and Ben completely squealed with delight. It was hysterical and many on lookers chuckled at the little romance between two three year olds. Ben is just the type of little boy that is all boy. Several parents whose children are now grown come up to me and tell me how beautifully handsome he is, how he is 110% boy and laugh saying they remember those days with their boys. I obviously make Ben behave, but he introduces himself to everyone and is not a bit shy. Also during communion last week his Nagypapa was sitting with us in the pews, so he helped by taking Ben up to communion. The choir went up first and then it would be our turn to go up. Ben through the chanting told the men a bit loudly to "Hurry Up". Not shy at all. Nagypapa chuckled, told him to wait his turn, and there were several surprised choir men around him that chuckled as well. Ben is quite serious about communion and looks forward to it. He thought these guys were dawdling.

Lately Ben also LOVES dress up. He got a cape on Easter from his Nagymama and Nagypapa. He is often seen wearing it around the house, sword stuffed through his underwear and a stick of some sort in one hand. He often tries to defeat monsters or other creepy crawlies. He also gets a kick out of pretending that there are alligators on the floor and he has to get away from them. He cracks me up.