The cousins - so cute!

So today Xavi saw a commercial for the Charlie Brown holiday movies and asked what that was. I said it's a Charlie Brown movie. He then asked to watch it, but it was his bedtime and, oh yeah, we don't have them. Plus, I've noticed they're not shown anymore on the major networks. What's up with that? I looked for "It's the Great Pumkin, Charlie Brown" on Halloween - nothing. I think the thanksgiving movie might have been shown but I didn't catch the time or day so we didn't watch it. So I told Xavi that we would have to wait until tomorrow because we didn't have it and I would look for it tonight. He asked again and as I started to give the same answer he interrupted - - "mami, stop talking, just say yes". I had to laugh but then I told him he shouldn't talk to mami like that.

Check out the growth chart for 9 month stats. They're not totally accurate, but they're close. I took them both to get a flu shot so it was a bit of an insane dr's visit. The next visit is for both again but I'll try to get accurate numbers and correct the chart.

new pictures

Playing together

Hanging out before heading out (on a very cold day)
She still has no teeth but recently tried to bite her brother.

school app update and...standing

So we (parents) are done and now it is up to Xavi. We had our interview and parent tour on Friday. It went well but the numbers are scary - if you're not connected in some way, your chances of gettng into this school at nursery 3 are next to impossible. Xavi is up next, a playdate in early January. We find out admissions decisions in March.

In our interview we were asked if our kids have different personalities and while they differ in many ways, there are some things where we feel we're getting a repeat. She will be 9 months this coming Tuesday and has been trying out standing on her own for a few days. She stood on her own a few times today for the longest period of time yet.

And, as you can tell, she was very proud of herself.

She is still practicing clapping and has added waving and shaking her head no. I don't think she understands that there is meaning to these gestures - right now it's just something fun to do.

and so it begins...again

We've been busy the last few weeks. Xavi returned to the Audiology and ENT dr's office a few weeks ago to recheck his hearing. This time around it was a different test. He was asked to respond (in a kid friendly way) to sounds he heard. He was a fantastic hearing test taker and it was clear that the test was conducted well (unlike the last time when it seemed completely botched) and the results are accurate. He has a moderate hearing loss. It's what's called a flat loss because it's the same, about 35-40db, across various frequencies (low-high). He was not tested at 8000 because he was tired and it was pretty clear that he was flat across the board. He will be tested later and continue to be tested for many years to come to make sure there are no changes to his hearing. Normal hearing is about 25 decibals (db) so his loss is considered mild-moderate. From what I understand it sounds like when you're congested or flying and your ears feel clogged. So we have begun a number of dr's appointments and tests. It's a bit overwhelming. Many people have said they would never have guessed he had a loss based on his speech - we didn't either. The reason? Because based on a partial speech therapy eval his speech development is at 3 year old level. He had moved onto questions for 4yr olds, so at worst he's at level. The therapist would like to finish the test later. He got very bored and frustrated with all of this, but at least he has picked his hearing aid molds and seemed excited about that. We're thinking about getting the Siemens Explorer. It's pricey (the average cost of a hearing aid is 1800 per ear - these are 2K each) and there is frankly little information or comparison you are given when buying these things. I'm feeling scammed right now and, while I have ordered this hearing aid, I am still in conversation with the audiologist about the Phonak, comparing this brand to Siemens and also asking if they get a cut for selling me these really expensive hearing aid. I also have to call my aunt (my cousin has worn them since she was a kid) to ask if all the bells and whistles for kid friendly hearing aids are really necessary - locked battery case and volume control, a gazillion channels, water resistent (as my friend Liz said, isn't my cell phone water resistent? I wouldn't dunk it in water but I can use in the rain or when I'm sweating). I do want the FM capability to allow for more audibility in the classroom or when on the phone. Plus, what do we do if he loses one or both? And NO, it is not covered by insurance, don't get me started on that conversation. Apparently, hearing is a luxury, not a necessity. No use complaining to the insurance company this complaint needs to go to policy makers.
We can use flex account $$, so there's that. We could get a tax credit if the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act is passed- click on tax credit to find out how you can help!

Yes, there is still a sense that this could have been avoided. I know that I shouldn't torture myself this way - no need to tell me but I also know that one way to develop hearing loss is through antibiotic exposure, which Xavi had for 7 days, which my sister had for 14 days (both IV), and then there's my cousin. He'll undergo some genetic testing because of my family's history but I just wish I'd had this question answered before. He'll also have precautionary vision test and a CT scan to make sure there isn't a deformity within his inner ear. We get the hearing aids in three weeks and Xavi is excited to have the same as tia lala, his school has been fanastic about helping him through this transition, his speech is right on target so it's early enough to provide him all the support he may need. So I will stop feeling guilty - eventually...cause I am a mom after all and there's always mommy guilt about something.

The learning curve has been steep for me and I've been very busy trying to research and sort everything out but life for him and his sister continues same as usual. He's still trying to sit on his sister any time he can and she's trying to stand without support! Overwhelmed might be an understatement. But I do well under pressure - I think...

Ok, at least we have an intelligent and poised new president. There is that. My beautifully mixed kids will grew up with a mixed president! It IS a new world!