Hike in the woods

Talk about a new language and listening experience! It was so much fun and we listened for birds. We listened for the running water. We listened for rustling leaves and tried to find what made the noise. And they never knew they were learning. The best way of teaching! We brought along magnifying glasses and binoculars.

Apparently my children did not know the word "stump" as in tree stump. They knew log but not stump. As they each stood on the stump for a picture they asked what it was. Cormac called is a tree "stunk". I corrected him and we said it a few times. The next day I asked him what the word was and he said "stunk" and gave me a devilish look. Then quickly said "stump" with LOTS of stress on the final "P". He is a buster!











 
 
 

 

Updates andthoughts

We have been a busy family lately. Lots of fun events starting with all the St Patrick's Day parades and festivities. It is really a wonderful time of year for our family. THe kids made a local paper again. We seem to get noticed for some reason. (I wonder why???)










We have also seen the Easter Bunny three times already!







No word yet from our school district regarding Cormac for next year. I have been waiting for about two weeks to hear back but nothing yet. We are covered until June 20th so we have some time.

Calleigh is having her lip repair surgery on Thursday April 1st. So, if you have some time for a few extra prayers, we could use them. It's weird because I know I have to fix her lip but in a way I feel like I am changing her face. It's just her, you know what I mean? When she smiles her whole face lights up and her lip is just the cutest thing I ever saw. I guess since I am her mom it doesn't phase me in the least. But I know her "new" smile will be just as beautiful and it will really help her in the long run.

Calleigh was also given another diagnosis last week. Duane Syndrome. Really? If any of you know what it is I will be pretty impressed. Just another strange anomoly to add to her medical history. I brought her to the pediatric ophthalmologist becasue I thougt her left eye seemed to turn in. Sometimes. Not always. It was not consistent. Well, her left eye is just dandy. Her right eye has Duane Syndrome. What does it mean? Well, she can see and has perfect vision. She physically cannot move her right eye to the right. So, right now, look straight ahead. Now, look to the right with JUST your eyes....... Ok, so your left eye moves toward your nose and your right eyes moves toward the outside of your right eye. Well, when Calleigh does this ONLY her left eye moves. Her right eye stays straight. It gives the appearance that her left eye is turning in but actually her right is is just staying straight. Does that make sense??? There is no cure and nothing they can do about it. It's not a muscle problem. The nerve that controls the muscle that moves her eye to the right is either misfiring or not firing at all.

I don't really know what to say about it. Seems like everytime something good happens (one of the holes in her heart has closed) we get some other odd diagnosis. She continues to amaze me with how damn happy she is all the time. She laughs and smiles all the time. She has made HUGE advances in the last two weeks with her motor skills. I think since we finally got her acid reflux under control she is eating more and feeling better. We have really been working with her to improve as well.

She can't sit up yet for a long time but has learned to put her palms down to catch herself. She is passing toys hand to hand and really playing with things now. I knew she was delayed because of her surgeries and not having the opportunity to be allowed to lay on her belly for almost 8 months because of her colostomy bag. But let me tell you since she has been spending time on her tummy and getting the opportunity to do things she is really flourishing. I know she will catch up before we know it. We just have to get past Thursday's surgery. Let's pray it's the last one for my lil angel.

The boys are all maniacs. Just wild. They love school. They love their play group and their play dates. They are going to be starting tennis and soccer, I think.

Language continues to develop for all three.

Here's a good story for you all to enjoy:
A speech pathologist came over the house to evaluate Calleigh because of her lip. The triplets were home and in strolls Cormac. The speech pathologist was having an entire conversation with him and I say to her "you know he's deaf, right?" She looked at me like I had 5 heads! She said "I am speechless, shocked and amazed" "He has perfect tone, pitch everything" Cormac's blonde curls cover his implants sometimes and you can't see them. I was so proud of him at that moment. I said "Show the lady you implants" He gladly pulled his hair back and showed her and says "these are my cochlear implants cause I'm deaf"!

That's all for now folks.

Lip Reading

When Cormac was implanted we chose for him to be educated in an oral only school. The school he received services from birth to three years old did not teach sign language or any other form of communication besides listening and speaking like his typical hearing peers. That said, Cormac knew tons of signs before he was implanted and still remembers them. I would say he knows about 200 or more signs. When he first started talking he would sign the word as he tried to say it. I thought it was so helpful during this process. Colin and Ciaran also did sign before they were verbal. It was so cute to see them all signing "more" or "cookie". I noticed as Cormac became more verbal he started dropping his signs because he just didn't need them any longer. I thought once he was really verbal we could always go back and learn more since he is still deaf and without his implants I feel like I need a way to communicate with him. We still want to learn but I have found Cormac has an amazing ability to lip read. I mean you can have an entire conversation with him when he is not wearing his implants and he answers you back. I don't understand how on Earth people acquire this skill. There are times in the bath tub Frank will say "he can't be deaf" knowing full well he is deaf.

Now, for three years we made sure he didn't lip read when we talked to him. We wanted to make sure he used his hearing and didn't "cheat" by lip reading. We would cover our mouths when we spoke so he couldn't see our lips but he still can do it. I now he doesn't rely on it but it sure comes in handy. When we are in very noisy situations he can still understand me (Ciaran and Colin wont because if it's too loud and they can't hear me they can't lip read). When he is in water it is awesome.

I will never understand this ability. I would love to hear from others about their experiences with their children or with their own lip reading in life. How do you do it??? This kid never gets it wrong.

On another note, we are heading into NYC for a mapping tomorrow. Just in time because the last few days Cormac has been acting like he isn't hearing as well as normal. Lots of "what did you say?" Not sure what is going on but with some fine tuning tomorrow I have full confidence he will be back to his old self. I took the opportunity to work with him on his confidence to ask others to repeat themselves if he misses something. This is especially important in the class room and will be more important as he gets older. He needs to be able to advocate for himself and never feel embarrassed to ask someone to repeat themselves. So, I taught him to say "excuse me, I didn't hear you. Can you please repeat that again?" Seems like it's working because he said it to me quite a few times this week.

Let's see as for language?? What's Cormac's latest? He told me Black widow spiders are venomous. I asked what does venomous mean? He says "It's poison, Mommy.". He is also telling everyone about Tornadoes. He says "they are funnel clouds" . My sister watched the triplets this morning for a while so I could take Calleigh to the dr and she took them to a class at the Community Center. She said he was basically running the class. They asked them to pretend to be their favorite animal. Cormac's was a penguin and a frog. He told them frogs eat insects with their tongues. SHe basically said he didn't stop talking the entire time right along with the other two nuts I am raising.

But the best story of the week....
Cormac goes into NYC every three months for a mapping. I take him alone because it's just easier. He has referred to NYC as "my city" for as long as I can remember. Whenever we see the skyline he says "look at my city". Ciaran and Colin even refer to it as "cormac's city". He asked if we could bring his brothers and sister with him tomorrow. I said sure. Then he said to Ciaran and Colin "Hey, Ciaran and Colin, do you know why I want to bring you to "my city"? Because I just love you guys!" It was one of the sweetest moments ever. The look on his face was so sincere it made me cry. He is beyond excited to go tomorrow.

Yesterday was an interesting day...

The day started off on the wrong note. I should have just stayed home but I didn't. We went to our usual Thursday play date. Apparently, someone came into my house overnight and replaced my lovely children with satan's spawn because they were acting like little devils. No one would listen and they were too wild. I actually packed them up and was making them leave before lunch was served. This caused near hysteria but I am not one to give in and I think the only way they learn a lesson is if you follow through. My sister was there and begged me to give them another chance and I caved. (very unlike me) They did get better after that because they really thought I was making them leave. They ate like they never ate before. Even Ciaran.

Next we were headed to Calleigh's eight month well check visit. I was bringing all the kids with me. Normally, I wouldn't be worried. They are very good but seeing how they were not in the best of moods I was a little nervous. All three of them fell asleep in the car in under 5 minutes. Not that it excuses their behavior but it makes it more understandable. It was only 1 in the afternoon and they were unconscious.

I drive around while they sleep and arrive at the doctor's office. Colin wakes up from his nap and says "Mom, where are my extra pants?" I say "we don't have any extra pants". He says "I think I had a little accident while I was sleeping". I undo his car seat and am immediately overwhelmed by the smell of poop. It was everywhere. Down his legs up his back in his seat on his coat. Now, I have theree other sleeping children in the car. No clean clothes and I have 1 minute before my appointment. Colin is now crying because he is upset he had an accident. I felt so bad for him because he was upset. My sister lives about 2 blocks from the doctor so I call her and she luckily answered the phone (THAT NEVER HAPPENS!!) She came over and brought me some sweat pants. It took my an ENTIRE brand new container of wipes to get all the poop off of him.

Now I unload the others after waking them. At this point I realize Frank didn't put the stroller back in the car so I am strollerless.

I will say to my credit I was still smiling at this point. I get them all in the office. The boys redeemed themselves and behaved like angels in the office. Of course I did give them some Valentine candy while they waited but it worked. Colin pooped two more times in the doctors. Calleigh now poops every 20 minutes since the colostomy reversal so I changed her about 3 times in the office. I am hoping she gets better quickly and her body realizes she only has 2/3 of her colon left.

I get them home and Ciaran and Cormac both have skid marks in their underwear. At this point I am so overwhelmed by the smell I think it is all over me. In the bath go the boys. Ah, a moment of lovely smelling children. No more pooping since.

I am guessing it's because they ate way too many pears the day before. I totally forgot pears make you poop. They love pears and had a pear feast the day before. I have learned my lesson!

Today has got to be easier, right???

By far one of THE BEST DAYS ever....

Yesterday became one of the best days. After being snowed in for two days we ventured out of the house. We had an awesome play date with our BFF's Kennedy and Jack. Cristina, their mom, is always a great hostess. We followed up by going taking Calleigh to a follow dermatology appointment for her raging diaper rash. Now, my three were just perfect angels at the appointment despite the fact the doctor was NOT friendly at all to the boys. But the good news? We have FINALLY turned the corner on this horrible hiney situation. Calleigh's butt no longer looks like raw chopped meat. This second medicine is working. Just reinforces my belief we know what is best for our kids. I told the Dr. the first medicine was making things worse. I feel so relieved for her. She no longer screams in pain anytime she goes the bathroom. And a bonus she has stared sleeping through the night again!!! She was sleeping before her surgery but began getting up several times a night again. Last night, she slept from 8-7! We did wake her at 12 for a diaper change to avoid her rash getting worse but still. HUGE IMPROVEMENT!!

On the way home from the doctors it was nap time. The boys didn't really get to enjoy the snow too much and for all the have played in it they have never been sledding. Only on a tiny hill on our lawn. I made the executive decision to skip nap and wait for Frank to come home. We headed down to Memorial Park and did some serious sleigh riding! Can you say NO FEAR???? THese boys were flying down this giant hill. They were so over the top happy to have this experience. Not to mention, Frank was going with them. The looks on their faces was priceless. We had Calleigh with us all bundled up so I stayed with her. I did get to go downt he hill once. I rode with Cormac and I will never forget it. I swear, they must have went 100 times. Each time pulling the sled up behind them and walking up this giant hill.

After about 2 hours we had to call it quits because it was starting to get dark. THe boys cooperated and came willingly to the car. Colin asked for an "indoor picnic" for dinner. I obliged and we ate our BBQ chicken, noodles and veggies on a blanket on the living room floor. I even busted out the picnic basket.

The boys were exhausted and went to sleep by 8pm.

All in all just a wonderful day. Days like today make me really remember what life is all about. It's all about the moments you will remember forever. It's all about spending some time with the most important people in your life. It's about not caring if someone spilled purple apple sauce on the rug. or BBQ sauce on the floor. Who cares. In the long run I will remember my family sitting together in the living room having and "indoor picnic" after the most memorable first time sledding. And as a bonus on the way to the drive to the park Cormac told me "Mommy, a chameleion is a type of lizard that changes colors". Now come on?

Nothing earth shattering really happened but man, it was a great day.







Our indoor picnic

Imaginations

Three year olds have a very powerful tool. It's their own little minds. Their ability to use their imaginations is endless if given the opportunity. On days when we are home all day it would be easier to just put the TV on all day but who says things should be easy? I like to see what they come up with on their own. Knowing I won't put on the TV they just go off on their own and play. They don't need fancy toys or electronics. They just need themselves. (well, and a few props!)

Today, I listened as Princess Ariel(Cormac dressed in his Ariel costume) turned Colin into Prince Charming and Ciaran was Prince Ciaran. They played for over an hour running from room to room. (or castle to castle) The two Princes built castles out of blankets and chairs. Ciaran told Cormac (ariel) "I love you so much, Princess Ariel" to which he repsonded "I love you too can we live in a castle together with Prince Charming (Colin). The language being used between the three of them was astounding. Words I didn't know they knew. They worked/played together so nicely. At some point Ciaran was no longer a Prince and Princess Ariel rescued Prince Charming from "danger". Cormac used the words rescue and danger.

I just love it. I love how they play nice together. I love how they use their words and challenge their minds. I love watching the stories unfold in their little heads.

Every night at bed time we all go into their room. Everyone takes a turn telling their own story. I can remember a time when I thought this would never happen for Cormac. I remember being told how important it was for him to be able to follow a sequence of events (first this happened, then this happened and next this happened) This was hard for him at first. But the detailed stories told at bed time show me he fully understands how to tell a story. How it should have a beginning middle and an end. They all do this. They all tell similar stories. Usually, some one is in some sort of "scary forest or something" and then saved by a Super Hero. The stories get more detailed and complicated each night. Last night, I actually had to cut Cormac off because he just kept telling another story and was cleary just trying to avoid sleeping! I couldn't believe my own words when I said "Cormac, you can't tell anymore stories. You have to STOP talking and go to sleep!" Really, did I just tell him to STOP???? What has happened? The world must be upside down! But yes, I did tell him to stop. He proceeded to tell me "I was the most beautiful princess mommy in the whole wide world. He also told me I had beautiful hair and was his favorite person" For some reason I didn't tell him to stop talking then......

A tea kettle

Today I put on the tea kettle. I was up in my room with Cormac and he was wathcing TV. We live in a split level house. We were in last bedroom upstairs. The kitchen is down the hall and down 5 stairs. He says "oh, mommy, the tea is ready. I hear the kettle". Still can't believe what he hears. And trust me it was NOT quiet in our house.

Ok, while I am writing this Cormac just said "Mommy, you're a maniac!" Don't know what he is talking about!

I really want to start some sort of group for parents of kids with implants. I just don't know where to start. I talk to lots of moms of newly diagnosed kids who are sent my way from NYU or Summit Speech School. I would love to be in contact with parents of kids who are older than Cormac so I can have an idea of what to expect. I really don't have any free time but I would make the time to socialize with other families like us. It doesn't have to be anything all the time. Maybe a bimonthly get together for anyone who can make it. Just to bounce ideas off each other. Talk about our kids educations and what their school districts are like. Anyone have any suggestions on how to start it? Where to begin? I am in Northern NJ.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. We had the best Christmas yet. The kids were thrilled. New Years Eve is no biggie to us. It's always been amateur night so we never really got into it. Frank and I did stay up for the New Year but it was only because I got up to feed Calleigh at 11:30pm. Other than that we probably would have slept through it!

Calleigh's surgery is rescheduled for January 14th. I am hoping it goes off this time. Let's hope the other three monkeys stay germ free and don't bring home any yuckies from preschool this week. I am tempted to keep them home but they have been on Christmas break and we ALL need them to go back to school. :)

I am hating winter right about now. It is so cold and there is nothing to do with the kids. I hate being home all day with them because they get bored.

Twinkle Twinkle

Here is Cormac singing "twinkle twinkle" with some brothers playing "backup" (LOL). He is 3 years 8 months old. His hearing age is 2 years 5 months. He did this on his own. GOt his own props and everything!



Here he is singing the same song in October of 2008. So he was 2 years 5 months and hearing age of 1 year 3 months.



After I recorded him singing the other day I remembered the video of him from about a year ago. I wanted to compare the two. I thought he sang it awesome a year ago...but the new video just amazes me. He says it all so clearly. Even the consanants in the middle of the words (like the word wonder).

Christmas is coming

I started this post right around Thanksgiving and never remembered to finish and publish it. The words that surround Holidays are so awesome. In normal conversations my children used the word waddle (as in on a Turkey's neck!),pilgrims, indians and teepee. I was quickly told that a Teepee was a kind of house an Indian lived in. We also used the word Feast. Celebration is another word coming up in our talks. I am in awe of all the words my kids know. I can't believe how much they over hear and are able to repeat. (not always so good :) ) Cormac also can do this and picks up tons of incidental language. A big worry of us moms to kids with hearing loss. He seems to know lots of words that are not "taught" to him. Music to my ears!

I have to tell this story because it was so hilarious. We were playing in the play kitchen. We made menus and the boys were taking my order. It was a great time. They told me all the things they wanted to serve. We had a food menu and a dessert menu. I laminated them. The boys deicided to name their restaurant "THe Lawrence Brothers Diner", cute right? Well, about an hour later, Cormac walks up to me hands me a menu and says "Hey Mommy, What do you want from "The Lawrence Brothers Vaginer"! Oh, how I laughed.

We had our fist snowfall this weekend. It was beautiful and the boys were just in awe. We were out later than normal at my sister's house and when we got him it was dark and they were running on the lawn yelling "I LOVE SNOW". It was only about 2-3 inches so not much but I thought to myself, how wonderful it is to look at the world through the eyes of a three year old. When's the last time I just thought "wow, look how beautiful the snow is" without thinking in the back of my head, "ugh, snow, now starts the mess. The shoveling. All the yucky stuff that goes along with it" Oh, to be three again and so unaware of the real world! I wish I could bottle their enthusiasm for life.







Christmas is quickly approaching. We have had three visits to Santa so far and the requests are still the same. I am so happy no one is afraid of Santa. They are in love with him. Another holiday and tons of language! Tree lighting, tinsel, trimming the tree, decorations, lights, garland, mistletoe, jolly. THe words are endless. Not to mention snow, flurries, flakes, blizzard, storm. All the weather words of the season.

We went to the tree lighting in town last night. It was the first time we made it to it since we lived here. Fun and short. Good for us with the four kids. Just enough to get them excited and happy but not cold and complaining!



Calleigh is having surgery to reverse her colostomy on Monday (12/14) so keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I am terrified and thrilled at the same moment. To have her without the colostomy is going to be wonderful. But sending her in for a pretty complicated, several hour long surgery, well is scares the shit out of me. Not to mention she can't eat after Saturday at midnight, yes SATURDAY, and her surgery isn't until Monday morning. I also have to empty her colon on Sunday so she will be have to drink somthing similar to what people drink before a colonoscopy. This poor little girl has no idea why I will be torturing her. SHe will be starving and miserable. We can give her pedialyte. But that is all. It took us forever to get the little bugger to 13 pounds and she will probably lose it all after this experience. She will be in the hosptial 3-5 days depending on her recovery. KNowing Calleigh and her track record, she will be in 6 days! Let's hope not but if you remember she didn't want to leave the NICU.

We were at the mall for haircuts two weeks ago. I had no idea Santa was there already. We were not dressed or anything but they were so excited I couldn't pass up the opportunity! I think it's the cutest. Colin is actually wearing two of the same feet Spiderman snowboots! Poor Calleigh was passed out in the stroller and I didn't want to torture her and wake her up. I will take her again another day. I am sure the boys will go back to see Santa. And what did they ask for?

Colin: A truck with a grabber.
Ciaran: A truck with a shovel.
Cormac: A boy castle and a jewelry box!

Thankful....

Calleigh and my nephew, Gavin. He's only 5 WEEKS old. Calleigh is 5 months!


The boys being themselves


Daddy LOVES his lil girl


The whole Lawrence Family



The kids have been talking about what they are Thankful for since Thanksgiving. We get the usual Mommy, Daddy, Duke and they name each other. Yesterday things changed.

Cormac: I am thankful for Tinkerbell
Colin: I am thankful for Snow White
Ciaran: I am thankful for the mean queen!

If you knew my kids in real life you would really get how hard I laughed at Ciaran. He is the funniest kid and always on the other side. Not one to conform. I think I spit soda out of my nose when he said it.

Cormac starts his new IEP this week. I am a little nervous about the whole thing. I tend to second guess myself when making such huge decisions. He is doing awesome and I just want that to continue. I need that to continue. Yesterday, he said a 20 word sentence. Every night before bed he tells us a story he makes up out of his little head. He can read two stories out of the Disney book (well, he memorized them). I rarely have to ask him to repeat himself but more importantly strangers don't have to ask him to repeat himself. Sure, he has a ways to go but most people say they understand him the best of the three kids. Ironic.

He is sporting his new Skinits on his implants. Totally love them.



Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for in our lives. I decided to make a much better effort to be thankful every day instead of just one day a year.

I must add, I am so THANKFUL for Advanced Bionics and the genius' who forever changed our lives.

Thanksgiving Feast

Today was The Thanksgiving Feast at the boys' preschool. It was by far one of the cutest things I have ever witnessed. They learned 4 songs and performed them all. All the songs had hand motions that went along. They were dressed in their indian vests, necklaces and head pieces. All of which they made themselves. (see picture at top of blog) They also made Teepee place settings which they proudly told me "were houses for Indians".

They then enjoyed a feast of turkey shaped turkey sandwiches, stuffing, jello, yogurt and a few other treats. It was so cute and fun.

Here is some video of the songs. The boys are not all together. Cormac is 4th or 5th from the right and Colin is three more to the right. Ciaran is standing right next to Colin. They are all wearing the same pants and sneakers if you look.








This last video is of Cormac. Last Easter I bought them the book Tough Chicks. Thought it was fitting for Easter since it's about a bunch of chicks. It has become one of their favorite books. Ciaran really loves it. But Cormac thinks this one part is funny and he quotes it all the time. Tonight I caught it on video.

Things I learned since becoming a mother......

Silence REALLY is golden!

A Mom is their child's best advocate. You need to be their voice until they are old enough to speak for themselves. NO ONE else makes your child their priority so you better make sure you do.

A minute can seem like an hour but a year goes by in the blink of an eye.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

It could always be worse.

It's OK to just lay on the floor or in bed and cuddle and not worry about the house, the laundry, or anything.

Children really do like a schedule and organization. It makes them feel more secure.

A child's taste for food literally changes from day to day. DOn't think because he at a ham sandwich yesterday he might ACTUALLY eat a ham sandwich tomorrow!

There is nothing sweeter than hearing your child tell you that you are his best friend.

Boys really do learn to wrestle on their own even if they NEVER witnessed it in their lives. And their favorite move is by far the clothesline to the neck!

Children are more resilient than I ever knew. They are tougher than you think but they also have very strong feelings that can get hurt.

They always like other kids toys better.

Nothing is sweeter than walking into your babies room in them morning to see that first smile of the morning when they see your face! I was just reminded of that one thanks to Calleigh.

Dirt, dirt, dirt. Boys = dirt.

Imaginations are a funny thing.

You never knew how much you could love until you had a child.

There are times you think, what was I thinking??? It could be for many reasons but at some point you do think that to yourself.

You will at some point say many things you thought you would never say and on occasions you will ACTUALLY sound just like your mother!

Men just do things differently. It might not be your way but if it gets the job done, don't complain.

You can unload a dishwasher in the time it takes to make toast.

When you have triplets your head does strange things. You start to count in 3's. You are always doing a mental count, 1 coat, 2 coats, 3 coats, 6 socks, 6 shoes. You get the idea.

People have lots of opinions and most of them don't really matter :)


Love has no limits. Love is unconditional. The love of a child changes you forever

Ok, let me know what you have learned. Post a comment.

Music

Frank and I differ greatly on our choice of music. Frank's a Dead head. He's all Jerry Garcia all the time. Literally, he has a six 6 cd changer in his car and ALL SIX have The Greatful Dead. Hey, I don't mind them but not my choice. The kids call it Jerry's band and seem to like it. I, on the other hand like completely different music. I like all kinds. Really all kinds. I listen to classic rock,some country. I even love Justin Timberlake. But my favorite band is Metallica. Most people who learn this about me are shocked. I don't really seem like the Metallica type.

I can't tell you the last time I put music on in the car. Between the kids and the DVD player I just never put on the radio. Not to mention I was paranoid to listen to the radio when Cormac was first implanted because I didn't want to add any more "background noise" then there already was in the car. But as time has passed and I realized Cormac can hear me just fine in the car and since we got the new truck I thought I would throw on the CD player. Got out my favorite CD, Master of Puppets and loaded it into the changer. By God, these children LOVE it! I played a few songs and I look back in the car and they were all rockin' out. Heads going back and forth and some serious dancing in their car seats. THey asked me who was singing and I told them. Now every time we get in the car Colin, in particular, asked for MEtallica. Master of Puppets is his favorite and you have to hear him sing it! Here's some video of them in the truck. I took a great one on my cell phone but the audio didn't work for some reason.



I taught them the hand movement as a joke but they seem to like it. I know, not the most appropriate music choice but it doesn't have any curses and for now they are too young to understand what it's really about. They just think it's about puppets!

I have never taught them the lyrics but the know a lot of the words. I was pleasantly surprised to realize Cormac could understand the lyrics as well. I wasn't sure how he would react but as you can see he really likes it!

I am sure Frank would be much happier if they were chillin' to Jerry, but hey, I can't control what they like!

On a different note, I had to share these pics of the boys. When they were small I always took their picture in the rocking chair in their room.



Just seemed like it was easy to prop them all up and get them all together...


Well, the chair has been moved to Calleigh's room but I asked them to sit in it all together for old times sake.... Notice Cormac has to sit on Colin's lap because they are just too big now. This is why I LOVE these boys....






Can you just see the LOVE in their eyes when they look at each other? Warms my heart and makes me smile. That's why I love the candid photos much better than posed.

And I feel like the princes is being neglected in the photo department so here's a few the the little lady...




She's just started smiling for real, you know, not just from gas :) This is the first photo I caught of her smiling.



FOr those that don't know, Calleigh was born with an incomplete lip. It's actaully even smaller in person than in photographs. SHe will have it repaired in a few months. Funny thing is I don't even notice it when I look at her.

From Contrail to Comets

Last Wednesday Cormac had his last day at Summit SPeech School :) He will be heading to preschool in September. While we are thrilled he is doing so well we are sad his time at Summit is over. Luckily, his support services in district will be provided by Summit so we will still be part of the school. I am hoping we stay part of the Summit family forever. Our lives would not be the same if we had not found out about Summit and we will be forever grateful for all of their support over the last three years.

On the car ride to school his last day I was thinking to myself "I hope we are making the right decision. I hope he will be OK. You know, all the usual self doubts you have regarding decisions we make about our children. As I am thinking all this I hear from the back seat "Mommy?" I say "yes Cormac?" He says "Why is there no contrail coming out of that plane flying in the sky?" My first response was "I don't know". My second was "you are going to be alright kid!" And he says "I know Mommy." Then he says "Contrail looks just like a comet!". Gotta love this kid. I don't know many people LET ALONE three year olds who know the word contrail. Anyway, it made me feel just awesome that day. Totally made me forget my worries (for a while).

They made him a special breakfast and I was able to stay with him for his last morning. It was sweet how the kids interacted with him. He certainly has no problems making friends.






By the way, the Eye Spy containers were a huge success. The glue gun was not sufficient and we had a minor spilling of rice but I was able to put clear packing tape on them and you can't even see it. Now they are more durable. We played Eye Spy for the long trip to the beach last weekend.

As we reach this next milestone in Cormac's journey I still can't believe all he has accomplished. He continues to baffle me on a daily basis with what he can hear and say. He NEVER stops learning. He loves it. His ability to recall information is better than mine. I honestly think he has a photographic memory. I have never really seen anything quite like it.

We spent approximately 112 hours in the car just commuting to Summit since April. I then spent approximately 225 hours entertaining Ciaran and Colin while Cormac was in school. I was pregnant and had a baby somewhere in there too. For the last month or so I had Calleigh along for the commute and the wait time. I say this not to complain but to just know while it was a tough time for us IT WAS WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF OUR TIME! It's time we will never get back and I mean that in a good way. For Cormac this was and is the most important time. We can't go back to being three when he is six. What he achieves now is the strong foundation he will need for his future.

For those of you who read this who are in the beginning of your journey to hearing just know it gets better. It gets easier. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's tiring, it can be frustrating at times but I think the rewards are just so much sweeter. We might never know why we were chosen to have children who are deaf but know that your hard work is rewarded. Years from now when are children are successful, happy adults you won't even remember how tiring it was to get there (I hope).

Our interesting weekend and benefits of bilateral implants

A VERY SCARY DIP IN THE LAKE. That's what happened to Cormac this morning. Clothes, sneakers, implants and all. Man, have we been testing these implants lately. A dip in the toilet, the spray ground and now a quick fall into a lake. These suckers are awesome! They just keep on working.

Now to the details of the fall into the lake that aged me about 10 years as I watched it from afar. I was sitting on a bench feeding Calleigh. Frank was walking with the boys. They were near the lake but have NEVER gone so close as to fall in but today it was really muddy and slippery. Cormac threw a rock in the lake his feet came out from under him and splash......Frank was standing right there and before I could even yell out his name Frank had pulled him from the water. (it's only about 2 feet near the edge where he fell) I nearly had a heart attack. Cormac looked so scared it was sad. He was soaking wet and covered in green lake gook. I think he was in shock. I know I was. His head didn't really go all the way under thank god. He does not know how to swim yet (he's only 3). Trust me, he will never go near the edge again. He was terrified.

Sunday we headed to the Sprayground. What a blast they had jumping in the sprinklers. Normally, we would be at the beach every weekend but with Calleigh just home we are hanging close. We are going next weekend. After the Sprayground we went to the playground. We had a wonderful morning and early afternoon. It might sound strange but having Calleigh with us just seems so normal. I thought for sure there would be a huge adjustment period but that doesn't seem to be the case. She is such a good girl. You barely know she is there except for when she needs to eat. She is already just one of us. I will say we do get quite the looks from others when we are walking with three three year olds and a newborn. To have four kids 3 and under I guess seems insane to someone who isn't living it. While there are moments that are insane for the most part it's just pretty awesome.

We let Cormac leave one of his implants on while on the SPrayground. You'll notice his ear bandit covering it. The ear band gives it some protection from the water. He is a little too young to understand not to soak his head so I figure it will help to protect it. He loves wearing the ear bandit and loves being able to hear while in the water.


One of Cormac's implants came off while playing in the playground. I didnt' have the extra tape with me and didn't want to go back to the car to get it. We let him just wear one for about a 1/2 hour. Let me tell you... WHAT A DIFFERENCE TWO IMPLANTS MAKES. Especially in a noisy situation. Cormac rarely only wears one implant so we don't see it often. Normally, with both implants I talk to him just like I would talk to Ciaran and COlin. He responds just like them. Well, he was having the hardest time locating my voice. With two implants he never has this issue. He turns instantly to where the sound is coming from. With one it took him some time to find me. ALl I could think about is what if it was a horn on a car and it took him that long to realize where the noise came from? Would it be too late? I am so
happy he has two. It really does make a difference.

Here's some video of my talking to Cormac while he is on the swing. He is wearing two implants in the video. He is not lip reading and I was not standing too close to him. He sings "You are me sunshine" at the end. FOr some reason the last line he says "don't please take my sunshine away" instead of "please don't take my sunshine" That's why it sound a little strange! So, if you're watching, I would love to hear what you think of Cormac's speech. He is 3 years old and today is his two year hearing anniversary! We will have cake later to celebrate.

The Hammerhead Shark and Cormac

This is my Dad in 1971 when he caught a 6 1/2 foot hammerhead shark.  

My Dad only went on a plane once in his life and this was the trip. They went to Florida My Mom was pregnant for me at the time.

I can't even type this without crying because I just miss him so much. My heart breaks that I will never see him again or talk to him. It breaks even more knowing my children will never remembe him or hear him laugh or never hear him say "hey, you want a punch in the nose?" while teasing them.

You might be wondering why I posted this picture today. Cormac has a different theme each week at school and Friday is show and tell. This week they were working on the ocean and all things related. What lives in the ocean, what the water is like, what animals have fins, or legs. The were learning about different types of sharks as well. I thought, what a great show and tell it would be for him to bring in the picture of my father with the hammerhead shark. My Mom was able to find it and scan it and I printed it out. I showed it to Cormac and we talked about it. I was curious what he would say when it was his turn at show and tell. I went in today to ask his teacher. She said he told the class "this is my Pop Pop when he caught a hammerhead shark fishing". She asked him "how did he catch it, with his hands?" and he said "no, with a fishing pole". He made the connection between the shark being caught and needing a fishing pole.

SHe also shared that he is an incredible user of his implants. She still cannot get over the things he hears and the situtations where he doesn't have problems with noise. Out on the playground the other day she had her back to him and was talking with him across the playground while all the other kids were running around. He was able to have an entire converstion like that. Today she said they were talking in the classroom and he was in the bathroom going potty. Well, whatever they were talking about he wanted in because he came running out of the bathroom with his pants around his ankles to join in the conversation. Obviously, in these situation he is relying purely on his implants and no other cues. I have always said he doesn't seem to miss a trick. I guess I was correct. He is so in tune to his surroundings.

We are heading into the city on the 29th for a map and his two year speech evaluation. He was supposed to go a month ago but Calleigh decided she wanted to make her arrival the same morning :) I remember being wheeled into the c-section and saying to Frank "don't forget to remind me to cancel Cormac's appts at NYU tomorrow". (It was about 1am)

Here's another funny story I forgot to include in my last post. Once a week on the way home from school I get the boys milkshakes (ok, I get on too). I always ask "what flavor do you want? Chocolate or Vanilla? Well, it varies by day and kid what flavor they want. What does Colin say? "He wants a beer shake!" Mind you, Frank and I don't even have beer in the house for the most part. Trust me, we have had our share of cocktails and TOTALLY still enjoy some cold frosty beers BUT it's usually when we go out or have company. On top of that I have been pregnant and they were only 2 1/2 when I got pregnant so they haven't seen me near a drink. Frank didn't drink the entire time I was pregnant. However, every time i have a can of soda they will say it's a beer. Strange. I don't now where it comes from. I can tell you this I could use about a case of those cold frosty ones right about now!