Ten on Tuesday

What's new with Lucas?

1. I've been home on medical leave for a week now until the baby comes. We're trying to avoid another premature birth, and I'm really glad that my doctor had enough insight to suggest that I stay home. I might be blogging a little bit more now too. :)

2. Lucas is so excited for his baby sister. I hope it continues. When I asked him the other night how he's going to help, he replied, "I'm going to change her diaper, help put her to bed, read her stories, and she's going to sleep over at Oma's house." Priceless.

3. In preparation for the big birth-day, Lucas has been spending the night at my parents' house once a week. It is the highlight of his week. I always ask ahead of time, and then make him call and ask too. I LOVE seeing him talk on the phone. It always amazes me, and I believe it always will.

4. I love Fall! I used to think Spring was my favorite time of year, but it's definitely Fall. I love the cooler weather (with a passion), and I love watching the leaves change colors. It's also the season of fairs, and pumpkin patches, and new vocabulary topics. I enjoy living in a part of the country that sees all 4 seasons.

5. Speaking of weather... this weather makes me want to spend time outside, as opposed to inside like during our humid summer. Lucas plays so nicely with our older neighborhood children, and we can just sit in the driveway, and watch him play from a distance. I'm so happy to live in our new house, and to be part of a nice little community. We've been in our house a little over a year now.

6. Last week was our town's annual farm show. Lucas has been looking forward to it all year. We told him that as soon as the leaves started to turn colors that it would be time for the farm show. Lo and behold... the leaves started to change and it was farm show time! He got to see cows, pigs, sheep, goats, alpacas, bunnies, and a few other animals. We went every day. Here's a picture from the festivities:

7. I've been enjoying my (rest) time at home, but I'm also taking advantage of celebrating autumn with little Lucas. We decorated the house, and last week we made "Halloween" cupcakes to share with his neighborhood friends. He was so proud of these!

8. Our little fish is taking learn-to-swim lessons at a local retirement community. We're going to continue through the winter. I'm so incredibly thankful for the ability to waterproof his CI, as lessons would not go as smoothly without him being able to hear. During the first class, I decided not even to mention to his instructor that he's deaf. I wanted to see how he would do. Other than the swimming cap (which is a little strange for a 3-year-old, but not too out of the ordinary), his CI was not visible, so no one knew his little "secret". Admittedly, it was kind of nice to not have immediate looks or questions. He did pretty well, but it was apparent that he would need some minor accommodations so it doesn't appear that he's just ignoring his instructor! The indoor pool area echoes excessively, and she really needs to be within close proximity to him (and his microphone for that matter) for him to hear her well. She was surprised when I told her, and very happy to accommodate.

9. One month ago, we welcomed the newest addition to our extended family, my niece Audrey! She is Ryan's little sister, and was born healthy and full-term. Lucas and Ryan are a month apart, and now Audrey and our baby girl will be about a month or so apart too. And no, we didn't plan it that way, but we're so excited about it! Our boys are great buddies, and we hope that the girls will grow up to be great friends also.

10. I'm 36 weeks pregnant today, and it's quite a milestone to have reached! I'm now a few days past the point when I delivered Lucas. Every day we are one step closer to bringing home a healthy baby girl! Here's a photo of me with Lucas a little over a week ago. Let the FINAL COUNTDOWN begin!

Ten on Tuesday

1. If I get around to posting a Ten on Tuesday next week, it will be my last day of work for the summer! CAN'T WAIT!

2. Lucas started camp today at his preschool. He's going twice a week for two 3-week sessions. He told me: "I liked going camping today!" So cute.

3. Lucas is a fish. He likes to swim around in his little pool with his face in the water. I need to get this boy some swimming lessons. It's on my to do list for tomorrow.

I love this picture!

4. We had a great family day last Saturday! I signed Lucas up for the summer reading program at our local library, we picked up our second CSA share (and saw the farmer & chickens, aka Lucas's favorite part), and went to a strawberry festival. Lucas liked the barrel ride the best, riding it three times.

5. June is our month at CHOP. Lucas will be having surgery on June 20, and he'll also be seeing audiology, speech, cardiology & genetics in a matter of a week. Such is the life of a teacher. June appointments are coveted.

6. It's a really good thing that Lucas is seeing audiology soon. I think he needs a new map. His new ear needs to be tweaked a little bit. I guess that's what frequent mapping appointments are for the first year.

7. We took Lucas to pick strawberries last week... he was really interested in picking the "orange" ones, and it was tough to convince him otherwise!

8. Lucas and I have some big plans for this summer... In addition to my ABC's of summer plan (more on that later), I'm looking forward to a little bit of me time while he's at camp. I want to read (finish) these books: If a Tree Falls: A Family's to Hear and be Heard, and Sounds from Silence: Graeme Clark and the Bionic Ear Story. Any other suggestions for hearing loss / CI books that I might enjoy?

9. Skip right to #10 for an interesting development in our family saga...

10. We're having a baby GIRL in November! Lucas is going to be a big brother! Here she is!!

Ten on Tuesday

After a short hiatus, I'm back with some updates!


1. Lucas has had a little language boom, like today. We've been working on "do" support, and he's finally using it unprompted. Instead of "Mommy, you want to play outside with me?", he's consistently asking, "Mommy, do you want to play outside with me?" He was even emphasizing the do.

2. While we were playing outside, he started to take off in his "pedal truck," (aka motorized car), and I asked him where he was going. He responded, "space, outer space." Where did he get that one?

3. When I was putting him to bed tonight, I said, "Goodnight, Lucaberry" (one of my nicknames for him). He said: "That's not my name. My name is Lucas... You can't call me that. You eat berries, like blueberries. But, I'm a boy. You can't eat me." Whoa. That blew me away.

4. Lucas has woken up the past 3 morning dry. I was so impressed the first day, but I didn't expect it the next day or the next. I'm just so floored that he's potty-trained during the day at all, that I've had no expectations for overnight. We'll see what happens tomorrow!

5. Lucas has officially bonded with his ear. He hardly touches it in the car anymore. In fact, the other day, when I took his new ear upon entering the car, he asked me, "Why are you taking my ear?"

6. While we were playing outside tonight, his new ear fell off. I took it for safe keeping, because I figured the wig tape had lost its stickiness, and I would replace it when we went back inside. He walked right over to me, and said, "I need my ear." I've been waiting for that moment for about 5 months now. So happy.

7. Lucas stopped by at International Culture Day at our high school, and sat so still to have his face painted. He chose an elephant. Lucas was so excited that so many students knew his name! What can I say... we talk about him a lot, and his reputation certainly precedes him!

8. Lucas continues to eat great international food with us! Sunday night he enjoyed sushi. He ate an entire roll (6 pieces) of California roll and shrimp tempura. He was eating edamame like candy too. He was really into eating with (modified) chopsticks AND he was pretty successful too. I hope he never gives up his adventurous eating habits!

9. We picked up our first share from a local CSA. I'm so excited to pick up our produce directly from the farm, and to share that experience with Lucas. We got lettuce, arugula, tatsoi, bok choi, and radishes. It feels so good to buy fresh & local, and to try some great veggies that we normally wouldn't buy. Lucas liked seeing the farm and the chickens, but he wanted to know where the roosters were. I didn't have a good answer for him.

10. We have less than 3 weeks of school left. The students aren't the only ones counting down...

Ten on Tuesday

1. Lucas's ear is healing nicely. I'm just really hoping that it doesn't happen again before surgery. I'll know how to handle it though. The third time was an easy prediction, so the fourth time I think I'll just prescribe the antibiotics myself.

2. I still don't believe that Lucas is potty-trained. He's had a great week. Yay for not buying any more diapers!

3. This week's forecast is rain, rain and more rain. I'm ready for spring. I want to play outside with my kid.

4. Last weekend we somehow managed to fit in an Easter egg hunt amidst the rain. I don't think we'll be so lucky this weekend.

5. Now that Lucas is potty-trained, I'm able to send him to "summer camp" at his preschool! He'll be going twice a week, and I think it will be a good way to keep up with his school routine and give him some extra language opportunities!

6. Lucas has really been into drawing and coloring lately. I'm really impressed with his attention to detail and how he tries to color in the lines. He's also showing some interest in learning to write his name.

7. It's so fun to watch Lucas pick up incidental language. My favorite lately is how he starts his sentences with "well..."

8. Lucas makes things up all the time. My mom and I have decided that we have to compare the stories he tells us, because we never know if he's telling us the truth. I think he just has a wild imagination.

9. Lucas ate really well for dinner tonight. He ate salmon, couscous, steamed broccoli & half of an apple. AND he cleaned his plate. When he was done, he got down, stood on his tiptoes and said, "Look, I'm tall now. I'm big like you, daddy." What a great moment.

10. Just when I tell someone how easily Lucas goes to bed, and how he sleeps through the night, he makes a liar out of me. The past few nights have been really difficult trying to get him to go to sleep. This too shall pass, I hope.

Ten on Tuesday

1. This picture was taken yesterday at our favorite local outdoor eating spot. It was 80 degrees yesterday, and cool and rainy again today. I'm ready for some consistent spring weather. Enough with the weather yo-yo-ing!

2. Lucas heads to CHOP with his daddy tomorrow to see Dr. K about his ear. I'm anxious to hear what his recommendation is. It doesn't like like the "cyst" has exactly returned, but who knows. We're still praying for no surgery.

3. Operation peepeeonthepotty has been somewhat successful over the past few days. I decided to forgo the training diapers and go right for the big boy underwear. Although he's had a few accidents, he's doing really well! I've vowed not to buy any more diapers. 

4. I went through all of Lucas's spring/summer clothes last night, and I am soooo ready to put away his winter wardrobe and break out some new looks!

5. We took Lucas to see Hop on Saturday afternoon. It was not as good as Tangled, but he sat through most of it. He even ate almost an entire small popcorn by himself. Scary.

6. I ordered some extra Aloksak bags today from Amazon. Summer swimming with hearing, "hear" we come!

7. Lucas had a conversation with my dad on my cell phone tonight (speaker phone). It will never, ever get old that he is able to do that.

8. Lucas has a new obsession with our cats. It's a good thing that we have the most.tolerant.cats.on.earth. They even seem to like the attention. Our one cat is as big as Lucas is.

This one was taken after Lucas pulled Sammy off the back of the couch. He didn't seem to mind though, because he is there willingly in the picture.

9. We're busy making summer plans! It's less than 2 months now until summer break, when I get to spend some major quality time with my boy! I have so many ideas for some great language-rich experiences!

10. Now that I think about it, I can't remember the last time that Lucas took off and hid or dismantled his new ear... that's exciting!!!

Ten on Tuesday

I've been enjoying reading other "Ten on Tuesday" blog posts over the last several weeks, and I decided it was my turn.

1. I should be working on my "Everything Google in the Classroom" course right now instead of writing this post. It will have to wait.

2. Lucas is adjusting to daylight savings time. It's been easier than it years past. As much as I enjoy that it stays light longer, I don't enjoy waking Lucas up during the week when it's still dark.

3. I've had enough teacher and teacher union bashing in the news to last me an entire lifetime. Enough said.

4. Lucas insists on being called a "big boy". I keep reminding him that he must start using the potty willingly to officially be called a big boy. Reverse psychology is not working. He's not interested.

5. I am so ready for spring! I want to play outside with my boy and spend lots of time at the park!

6. Lucas continues to make progress with his new ear. Tonight before his bath I noticed that he took the old ear off first and just had the new one on for a bit, willingly & unprompted.

7. Speaking of two ears, it looks really strange to me to see Lucas wearing only one CI. I remember how strange it was to see him with 2 CIs for the very first time. It's amazing how perspectives can change in 3 months.

8. Tonight I got my first phone call to act as a mentor through Parent to Parent of PA. There's a newly diagnosed family in my area that is looking for support. I spoke with the mom for about a half an hour this evening. I am so happy to serve new families in this way!

9. I rarely write a blog post without interruption or distraction. It often takes me 1-2 hours, because I stop and do other things. Tonight is no exception. I'm finished with my weekly work for my grad course. I guess Ten on Tuesday was the one doing the waiting tonight.

10. I'm looking forward to taking Lucas to PT and speech therapy tomorrow evening. One of these days I'll finally blog about our IEP process and Lucas's current services. He continues to work with an amazing team, and we couldn't be happier with his services right now! Okay... unless we were still working with Miss J...