March 25, 2009

So, I have had a bit of a reprieve from insomnia, until the last few nights. Here's my whine..."It is so aggravating!"
Today/yesterday really. Thomas had an appointment to: adjust the settings of his cochlear implant, receive and set up a new FM/blue tooth system for his cochlear, and to be evaluated for the need for a cochlear implant in his other ear.

My side note here is that the appointment took two hours and I forgot to bring a stroller for Kaylyn. Kaylyn, has become a busy explorer. It was a long two hours...

Anyway, Thomas was able to get the FM system for his cochlear and he is so happy about it. The FM system works with blue tooth compatibility with his cell phone. so that when he answers his phone, he can now hear whoever calls directly in his cochlea. The device can also connect wirelessly to an mp3 player and any electronic device with an ear jack(I think that's what they are called.) He also has 2 different microphones, with different ranges, that he can use in groups, or in a meeting at work that should help improve how much he is able to hear during a group discussion. This is all very exciting for him.
Because Thomas speaks so well, even I forget often just how much he misses. Without the FM system today, he scored 0% when he was tested on how much he could hear with background noise. When tested with the FM system, he scored 73%. For a person with normal hearing, that's not so great. That is a person missing over a quarter of a conversation. For Thomas, that number is HUGE!
It's so fun to see something make him so tickled and happy. Right now, he is kinda like a kid in a candy store. :D Try calling him sometime! He might just hear you!

Silly Sleepy Girls!

The boys went to a birthday party sleepover last weekend and the girls were going to sleep out in the living room. Here Dad catches Jensen and Morgan almost asleep.

But not quite!

Morgan as Lady Liberty in Her School's Freedom Play

Morgan was the Statue of Liberty in her school's 'Freedom Play' last week. She took her part pretty seriously! We were impressed with how long she could hold that torch up. She held it up through two songs and more! What a trooper!

February 21-22

A photo of Weston when we celebrated his birthday.

Here is a photo documenting that mom/Michele is in trouble. Leaving the headlights on is a bad habit. It was so cold and Thomas had to bundle up to go out and jump start the van. That happened two days in a row! :D

A New Percussionist in the Family?

It looks like we might have another percussionist in the family!
On February 10, Kaylyn found the drumsticks and began trying to play the snare drum.

Her dad gave her a boost onto a stool so she could more easily play.

Here she has just been taken away from the drums and placed into her 'play yard'...

Someone had pity on her and gave her back the drumsticks. "OH HAPPY DAY!"

February 6, Continued

Jessica and Jane.

Jane's son Jordan backed up their car to load up some firewood. The ground was so wet from our recent rainy and melting snow weather that the car got stuck and we had to pull it out with the pickup. (Do you know how many years it took my husband to teach me to say 'pickup' instead of truck? In Idaho pickup trucks are called pickups, at least according to Thomas. I always called them trucks. I don't think I am the only one that does/did that! :D)
Jordan is a good sport and gave a smile for posterity!

Thomas. He's hard to miss with that hat. I call it his 'Man From Snowy River' hat. He was so happy when he finally got that hat and it really does help keep his cochlear implant dry. (Does anyone see rain in these photos? Me neither! :D ) It looks like Thomas is not the only one who likes that hat! :D

February 6, Target Shooting @ Papa's House.

On February 6, Aunt Jessica and Uncle Mark came down to do some target and clay pigeon shooting. Here is Jensen bird watching. She was also using her binoculars to try to see the clay pigeons. Below, a photo showing the 'wide open spaces' Papa has at his place.

Uncle Mark gives up a grin for the photo!

Jensen looking in the tree for some birds...No birds? Maybe because shotguns and rifles are 'booming' just a few yards away!

Above, Papa taking a shot. We love these closeup photos of Weston. I think we should be very afraid that he closes his eyes when shooting! Below, Morgan in her Papa's big flannel shirt. It's a good thing he has a good heart. I would have sent her in to get her own coat! Below, Thomas in a classic photo. I think he is going to blow this up and prominently display it when the girls begin dating!


Megan throwing clay pigeons.

Jameson and Megan get their turns too.