Lots of videos...

Be prepared for video overload. I will write an update of Ciaran and Colin's first day at school later. Just wanted to share these videos.

As a reminder, Cormac has been hearing now for 21 months. He is profoundly deaf in both ears and wears bilateral cochlear implants.

Here is Cormac talking about Comets in the sky.


Colin with his new PSEG truck getting the word "retired" confused with "really tired"!



Ciaran and Cormac counting in Spanish



Colin and Cormac reunited after Cormac was at school.



Ciaran and Cormac reunited after Cormac was at school

The lastest and greatest

I thought I would post a quick update of what the boys are really into at the moment. Just to keep a record for myself and I am sure to get a few chuckles from the blog readers. The video below is something that started a little while ago. We have two pictures hanging on the wall in the kithcen. One of apples and one of pears. For some reason Ciaran started saying "Happy Birtday Apples and Happy Birthday Pears" but he doesn't say it in a normal voices. It has turned into a daily occurance and it cracks me up. I might add that occaisonally after the happy birthday they all break into "Okay, Mommy you Big Bad Wolf." They ALL laugh hysterical when the one of them calls me the Big Bad Wolf.
Dinosuars, dinosaurs and more dinosaurs. It's the big thing right now. Not sure how it started or why but I cannot tell you how many times a day someone is chasing me saying "I'm the big mean Dinosaur". The cutest is when I act afraid they quickly say "oh, no, Mommy, don't be scared it's just me". We all have new names. Ciarasaurus, Colisaurus, Cormasaurus, Mommyasauras, Daddyasauras and yes, even Duke is Dukieasaurus! At night I have been listening to them on the monitor. I listen to see if they are awake but find myself muting the televison to listen to the conversations taking place. The big question is "are you on my team?" They all agree and then decide we are all on a team together as "one big happy family". I mean, how cute it that??? Or you will hear Cormac say "Colin, are you awake over there??" Or Colin yelling "wake up Ciaran." You never know what they are going to say. I also like to listen to Cormac through the monitor. I understand all of what he says when I am around him but this is like a test. I can't see him or know what he is talking about but I CAN UNDERSTAND HIM! His language is just that good.

"Favorite things" I get the list daily of what their favorite things are. So here are the latest.

Colin's favorite color is red, favorite animal is a dog, and favorite food is mashed potatoes.

Ciaran's favorite color is green, favorite animal is a hippo and favorite food is candy (hmmmm, i wonder where he gets that from?)

Cormac's favorite color is blue, favorite animal is a penguin and favorite food is fruit. They are pretty consistant with saying what is their favorite. However, the food choices have changed. Pizza gets thrown in a lot.

Ciaran tells me at least a hundred times a day I am beautiful. It usually involves gently rubbing my face while he is saying it. That boy is going to melt the ladies hearts someday. He sure knows how to work it!

When we aren't being dinosaurs we are all Super Heros. So, you must know where this is going. Super Mommy, Super Daddy, Super Ciaran, Super Colin and Super Cormac. We all can "fly" and I am too strong to be captured by a witch so I won't be locked in the "tall tower". But if for some reason I were to get locked in the Tall tower Super Daddy would rescue me. (their words, not mine!)

With the weather getting close to 50 degrees today I decided they needed some outdoor time. We went to the park. This is really one of the first times since the fall we have been to the park. I braved it and took no stroller and we had an amazing time. First we went to the play ground. After the playground we walked around the lake, fed some ducks and checked out the waterfall. It was such a nice day. Everyone was listening and paying attention. No one took off running. They stopped when I told them to stop. No one attempted to jump in the lake and kept a good distance from the waters edge like I asked them. Now, the dirt is another issue. Must be a boy thing. They are just drawn to dirt and mud, sticks and rocks. But hey, they have to have some fun. They made some dirt and rock volcanoes too! What a difference from last Spring. They would have been ALL OVER the place and I would have been a nervous wreck. My lil boys are growing up.

Here's a little video of Cormac playing with his fridge letter.

On the mend (thankfully)

Our family survived the crazy weekend and is on the mend! Cormac went to the Ortho doc yesterday to follow up on his collar bone. The doctor was amazed at how much he was doing. He is a non stop ball of energy. He learned quickly what he can and cannot do with a busted collar bone. He uses his arm but there are certain things you can see he just can't do. STrapping him into his carseat is close to impossible since the strap hits directly on the broken bone.

Duchess was allowed to come home on Monday night. She is not 100% but is on her way back. She is running and eating (some). Considering I thought she was going to be put to sleep I am so happy with the results. She will continue on antibiotics and will follow up in a few weeks for more blood work.

Today I taught stroller strides. The boys were, of course, with me. At the end we let the kids out of the strollers and we play for a while. My three were running in this big open green field. The moms and I were working on our abs and I notice my curious monkeys are awfully quiet. I look up and they found THE ONLY MUD PUDDLE within a 5 miles radius. These boys are ALL BOY. I yell over "what are you three up to?" Colin says" Jumping in Puddles". Splash Splash. AT that point it was to late to intervene so they had a ball. I had to strip them down to their diapers for the car ride home. How is it they can always find the mischief? They are like moths to a flame! Everyone always says "boys will be boys." I guess they are correct. We had to have baths before lunch!

So my birthday was Monday. Another year older. Who cares, right? I know i don't care. This birthday was extra special because it was the first birthday the boys were able to wish me a happy birthday! Last year, they weren't really talking well enough. This year I was serenaded several times with the birthday song (mostly by Cormac. He's really into singing at the moment)

You'll notice there isn't one of Ciaran. While he can say anything he won't look at the camera and say ANYTHING! He is a little bugger!

Here's Cormac. It takes a while to get to the singing while he adjusts his guitar! (notice the lovely pink guitar. It's Cailan's. Oh, and remember he has a broken collar bone in this video.)



Here's Colin. He wouldn't sing. But he says "happy birthday". We were at Robin's house



Here's one more of Cormac. He was really into singing!

Ciaran and some other photos/videos

I have made so many references to Ciaran's little face and how he can't smile without closing his eyes. Here is a picture I took yesteday. You will see exactly what I mean. If you click on the picture it will enlarge.

 

Here is my Mom and the boys. That's a hard shot to get. Notice they are little chocolatey (yes, I know that's not a word). She bribed them with cookies.

 

Here's Grandma and Cormac on the boardwalk last week.

 

Here's a video of Cormac singing his ABC's. First he is saying letters and their sounds and then starts talking.



Here are ciaran and colin being silly

Orange Octagon!

That's what Cormac said today while we were playing with his new peg board. He also said "Purple Triangle", "Blue Square" and "Red Circle". All of these were just spontaneous words he used while stacking the pegs. All of them were completely intelligible and could be understood by anyone. Not only was I amazed at how clearly he said them but I was also pretty astounded he knew all the shapes and colors. From across the room I said to him "Cormac, put the orange octagon in the red circle". You bet he did it!

Yesterday, Frank came home from work and the boys had already finished eating. He said "what did you have for dinner?" and Cormac said "Hot dogs, corn, and rice". It literally brought tears to Frank's eyes. He said it so perfect and he wasn't expecting him to answer the question so correctly!

We went to National night out tonight in our town. Their was a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses and slides. They had this HUGE bouncy fire truck slide. I asked how old they had to be and the man said if they can climb the ladder they can go on. I sent Cormac in first not knowing if he would understand what he was supposed to do. I told him climb up the ladder. He went right up the ladder, no problems. Got to the top and this slide was SO BIG. It was an 18 foot slide!. We could watch him thru a window in the bounce house. I said "Go, Cormac". He let go and FLEW down the slide it the biggest smile on his face. Colin and Ciaran ran up the ladder as well. They were both a little more cautious on the way down and knew to hold their feet to slow them down. They also had gigantic smiles on their faces but Cormac's was priceless. I don't think he thought he would go so fast but he loved it.

Here's what the firetruck slide looked like.




We used our "super cool" wagon for the event. Here's Frank pulling it


All along for a fun ride



Checking out the baby chicks and bunnies


Frank trying to make sure they didn't kill the bunny!


Cormac on the pony ride


Colin on the pony ride


All three looking up at a fireman who was up on the ladder of his truck


Tonight when we got ready for bed I put them all in their cribs. Cormac was crying which is not like him. I started to take his implants off and he freaked out. I realized thru the crying he was saying "ears on, ears on". He didn't want me to take his implants off. This, of course, made me cry. He doesn't quite understand yet why he can't hear at night. THis is also the first time he has ever gotten upset at night time. It breaks my heart to see him so upset over not being able to hear. I can't really do anything for him. I'm helpless and it sucks to be perfectly honest. I left one of his implants on and he was satisfied. I will sneak in later and remove it from his crib if I can. I can hear it beeping as I type this but it's not bothering anyone so what's the big deal.

Rarely, do things about Cormac's deafness get to me but I have to say this one really did for some reason. In time, I know he will understand more and I can explain it to him but I think for a while it will be tough. I am really not looking forward to the day he starts to ask some hard questions. I am hoping by that time we have instilled enough self confidence in him he doesn't care he has implants and hears differently than others.

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY CORMAC WAS ACTIVATED!!!!

(This is a long post. Make sure to scroll down for the videos)

A year ago today, Cormac heard my voice for the first time. A year ago today Cormac heard me say "I Love you" for the first time. A year ago today, Cormac heard Frank for the first time. A year ago today, Cormac heard his brothers giggle and laugh for the first time. A year ago today, Cormac heard his name for the first time. Basically, a year ago today our lives changed for the better... forever....

Cormac has heard and done so many things in this past year. I know they say the first year of life is where they have the most changes and the most "firsts". Babies roll over, the walk (well mine did), they eat food, they smile, the laugh. I could go on and on. But for Cormac, things were different in some ways. Well, he rolled over at 4 months (front to back and back to front!), he smiled from the day he was born. He has always been a great eater and continues to be. His laugh comes from so far in his belly. Just hearing it can make anyone smile.

He didn't, however, know how anything around him sounded. He never heard me whispering in his ear as I held him and told him everything would be alright. He never heard us say good night or I love you. He never heard a bird, a fire truck, an airplane. You get the idea. He heard nothing. He also didn't say anything. He could sign a ton by the time he was one but he didnt say any words.

In this past year we have spent countless hours practicing his listening skills. Twice a week for an hour Joan, his teacher of the deaf, comes to the house. Once a week I bring him to Summit Speech School for a group class for 2 hours. Every moment of every day is dedicated to enriching his life with listening opportunites. I mean, I talk and describe everything around me. I don't just make breakfast, I say "we are having eggs. Eggs are white. Mommy is going to crack the eggs. Crack Crack. Stir the eggs. Stir STir. Mommy will pour the eggs in to the pan. The eggs are cooking." I do this for EVERYTHING I do with the kids all day long. It never changes. When we are grocery shopping I hold up everything I put in the cart. "this is a red pepper" "peppers are smoooth" and then let them feel the peppers.

Yes, it can be exhausting and daunting at times. Yes, people probably think I am insane. Yes, there are times I just don't feel like doing it. But what is the payoff for all this? Cormac speaks. Cormac hears. Cormac listens (different from hearing!). On day to day basis I don't think there are many words I say he DOESN"T understand. If he doesn't understand you can tell in a heartbeat and I take that opportunity to explain it to him.

NOw of course, Ciaran and Colin get the same treatment so they all have wonderful vocabularies. Cormac talks all day long. I have lost track of the number of words he can say. It seems to me to be endless. He tells me "love you" before betime. He says "goodnight, mommy or daddy or Ciaran or Colin". He has the softest sweetest voice I have ever heard. He also has the ability to scream so loud it feels like your ears are bleeding. This is not when he is upset. It is funny to him. I have tried to make a deal that he only uses that scream when he is outside!

Cormac knows so much. His numbers, his letters and the sounds they make, his colors, animals and their noises. He signs the entire alphabet. He also knows many more signs but he is dropping them more and more because he doesn't need them. His speech is understood by others which is huge. Moms always understand their kids. The true test is if others understand them.

Fast forward one year from last year and things are so different. Just this morning it was thundering outside and he said " thunder angels bowling" and pointed out the window. Today he told me he wanted to watch "doggie DVD"(100 and 1 Dalmations).

I am so grateful for Advanced Bionics for the technology they developed. I can never thank them enough for allowing Cormac to be enrolled in their study. He was so fortunate to be able to have both ears done at the same time. Most children do not have this opportunity. I am so thankful to Dr. Anil Lalwani who performed his surgery. I can't say enough about NYU Cochlear Impalant Center and their staff especially Valerie and Rose.

Summit Speech School has been such a tremendous support to our family. Each week is priceless for both Cormac and myself. And Joan, Cormac's teacher of the deaf, well I can't say enough about her. Cormac loves her. I don't know what we are going to do when he turns three and we will no longer see her three days a week. She is a constant help and always full of wonderful ideas. She answers so many questions. She teaches Frank and I how we can best help Cormac. But most of all, she really cares about Cormac. She knows him so well and how to get the most from him.

We ended the day with a little celebration. We will do this each year to remember such an important day in our lives. And it's another excuse for cake! I made a cake. Not my best work but I was short on time. It's the thought that counts, right?

Here's a little slideshow. It is Frank and the boys eating cake. There are a few video clips also. You will hear Cormac talk. Of course, when in front of the camera he doesn't do his best work but I still think it's pretty darn impressive!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I have tried to no avail to upload the video of the first time he was activated. I cannot get it to upload. The video is long and I don't know where I can upload a video over 10 minutes to post in the blog. It was taken on a camcorder and downloaded to the computer but from there I am stuck!

I do have a clip from my camera I took. It's not as good as the entire video but you will get the idea.



Cormac continues to be an inspiration to me. He is only two and has done so much already. I count my blessings every day. I can't believe how lucky I am. I get to be the parent to a child who inspires me.

Did I ever think I would have a child with a disability? Nope. Was I prepared for it? Nope. Would I change it? Nope. You take on each challenge as it comes along. You educate yourself and try your hardest to be the best you can be.

I also never thought I would have triplets and wasn't prepared for that either! But I know I was made for this job. I have lived every day always knowing I wanted to be a Mom and boy, did I hit the jackpot!

The Duke and a lil video of Cormac

When we were having the babies tons of people wondered what the dogs would do when they met the kids. Lots of people asked me if I was going to get rid of them. That thought never crossed my mind and I thought it was strange people would even think the idea. I guess if they were mean dogs I would have had to think twice but they are real lovers so I wasn't worried. The dogs ignored the babies for a long time. Without me ever saying a word they never walked into the nursery unless I told them they could enter. Most of you know the dogs and are probably shocked to read this since we all know they are wild. But I guess they just knew. As the boys got bigger the dogs were more curious. Once they started eating food all bets were off and Duke and Duchess had found three new best friends. Of course, there is the occasional steeling of a cracker out of the boys hands and that leads to a tearful "Dukie or Duchie did it". But it usually ends happy. I know I must spend a lot of time calling them bad dogs because one of the first two word phrases any of the boys said was "bad dog". If you ask the boys if the dogs are good or bad they say bad. Since they don't know what the word bad means it's just them repeating my words. But cute all the same. Anyway, all this to show you how the boys and the dogs play together. Ciaran likes to think Duke is a Horsie. Duke just loves any attention he can get, even if it means someone riding him!  


Here's a little video of Cormac. He's chatting away. I think I am asking him his name and his brother's names.