Chef Mickey

Monday morning we headed over dine at Chef Mickey with Mickey and friends. The breakfast was great and Eli's little face was priceless as he saw his favorite Disney characters coming over to see us.

Livi in her "Minnie Dress"

Eli getting excited! This was before he spilled strawberries all over his shirt :)

Isaac, Eli and Goofy

Donald and Livi

Donald played cars with Eli

Eli, Mickey and Carter

Day and Cami.. he wasn't sure about these crazy people in costume

Olivia and Minnie

He really was excited even though he's got the stoic 'picture' face

Olivia wanted to give all the characters high five. She would put her hand out and say "five".

Pluto!

Pluto and Papa

All the characters started singing and dancing

Olivia loves her Aunt Day!

Florida Day 1

Sunday we decided to head on to the Magic Kingdom because Eli had been asking for 2 days when he was going to see Mickey. We got up fairly early and headed in before the heat became too miserable and the lines too long. We had a great day.. it was hot but not unbearable like I was fearing. We actually were able to hit a lot of rides and attractions.. we took turns hitting up the fast passes and stayed one attraction ahead the entire time. All of the kiddos did amazingly well. Camden and Olivia both took stroller naps and Eli and Carter were able to hang in there like champs. We left around 4 pm right as the afternoon thunderstorms began and had to run out of the park in monsoon rain. I covered both little kids in the stroller and Josh, Isaac and I donned the $1.00 ponchos I had previously picked up at Dicks before we left. Great investment. We went back to the room, took naps, had dinner and then went back for the light show and fireworks. By the time we got back to our room at 11:30 that night we were all tired!

On our way in the park! I was even excited :)

Quick picture of the babies. Isaac refused to get his picture made. I put Olivia's hearing aids on her ear strap because I knew we would never find them if she pulled them out here. 

First view of the castle and we were right in time for the show

Eli and Daddy

We all said that we were thankful it wasn't us in those costumes!

Big boy

Riding the Tea Cups... right before Eli had tried to pee in the bushes

Watching the Mickey Magical show. I was worried Olivia would be too small to enjoy Disney but she loved it as much as the boys. She just sat so still and watched the shows. 

We bought the $17.00 water fan... 

Hydrating in the stroller. I LOVE this stroller. It  folds super easy and doesn't take up space. It weathered and kept the kids try during torrential rain, and Olivia took a great nap reclined all the way down. 

The Little Mermaid ride

Hanging out on the Jungle cruise

Isaac on the jungle cruise

Leaving the Magic Kingdom

All tuckered out! We did move his head after this pic because I was afraid his poor nose would hurt.

On the way to Florida and a conference

The car was completely jam packed full! Isaac lucked out and flew with Nana and Papa so he didn't have to deal with needy babies for a 12 hour car trip. I contemplated having all of us fly but by the time we would have  checked the pack n play, 2 car seats, 2 sets of golf clubs, and all our bags, we would have spent a fortune in checked baggage.. not counting dragging that stuff around the airport.  I went back and forth for weeks trying to decide and finally decided we would drive. We left Friday around 11:30 am and drove to Savannah, GA (that's about half way) to spend the night.

This is the E singing...his face cracks me up. We listened to "Victor Vito" and "We are the Dinosaurs" by Laurie Berkner multiple times. For Eli to be so wide open all the time he is actually a REALLY good car rider. 

I played on my phone and entertained the kiddos while Josh drove. He doesn't like my driving and that's fine with me. I would much rather have my feet on the dash. 

Almost there!

We had to be in Savannah by 6:00 pm because at 6:15 I had to log on with my computer to participate on the parent panel at the Alexander Graham Bell Listening and Spoken Language Symposium in Los Angeles, California. The primary audience for the symposium included Listening & Spoken Language Specialists, educators of the deaf and speech-language pathologists. The title of the session I was involved in was called,  "Practical Solutions for Modern Families." I was 'beamed' into the session via Google hangout on a large screen! There were 4 other parents 'live' at the symposium. I was given a set of questions previously so I could prepare a few thoughts as well as a background summary about our family and Olivia's hearing loss. 

Well.. we drove straight to Savannah because I knew we were on time constraints with one stop at a rest area. We got to our hotel right at 6:00 and I slapped on make-up in the car, changed my shirt, and made my hair presentable when we arrived at the hotel. Josh took the kiddos to the hall and played with them while I participated via my computer from 6:30-8:30. Around 7:30, Josh texted me asking if he could bring in the kids to get a bath. I muted the volume on my computer while he brought them in. Well about 45 later, Eli comes streaking across the room right behind my computer! AHHh.. I was panicking but I couldn't look away or scream at Josh  because everyone could hear and see me. Thankfully all they saw was Eli's head and everyone started laughing. Oh my Eli! I never have a dull moment with this child. 

One of the questions was about our negative experiences with professionals and I honestly couldn't answer that one. I've been so blessed to work with some amazing people.. from Pat, our audiologist in Chapel Hill, to Hannah, our AVT/SLP with REACH, and Kristin, our oral deaf educator. Plus we've got a wonderful service coordinator who has been super helpful... I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with me to help my daughter.

Weekly review

Isaac got retainers to wear at night. He wanted to wear them right away and was a bit bummed when I told him he didn't  need to wear them. I mean.. really... the orthodontist tells says that you don't need braces, just a retainer to wear at NIGHT. Isn't that like the best news you can get at an orthodontic consult? I reminded him that I wore braces twice, with all the trimmings...including the lovely head gear. It. was. not. fun.

I ordered Olivia and Eli luggage for our Disney trip! Eli's matches his backpack that he already has.  He was so excited when he got his new suitcase he filled it with trucks to take to see Mickey. 

My new paper planner came. It's from Erin Condren and I love it. I've tried to use my phone but there is just something about writing things down. Plus it has an awesome little section for meal planning and exercise. 

Josh rehabilitated a hummingbird that was trapped in our garage. See below

The poor hummingbird trapped in a cobweb

I finally ordered new glasses! I've been wearing these for months and I'm about to cussing level when I bend over to find something and they fall off my nose 5 times. Josh just laughs at me. My Aunt said "It's hard to take you seriously wearing those." So.. I decided it was finally time to visit the eye dr. I haven't been since 2009! Hey 1-800 Contacts just keeps sending my contacts so I didn't figure I needed to waste money on an eye exam. Thankfully, my eyes checked out healthy and my prescription didn't change :)

Olivia's Audiologist Appointment

Olivia had updated audiological testing today at Chapel Hill. We were able to get all frequencies in both ears and even test 8000 Hz which we had previously not been able to test. She did phenomenal! Her hearing continues to be stable which we thank God for. Olivia participated just like she should and would imitate the words her audiologist was saying during testing. Her audiologist told us that most 14 month olds (even with the exact same hearing loss) cannot do what Olivia did today and remarked on how smart she is. Josh and I were both so proud of her. We had new molds made (clear with pink starbursts) and even had a live session with Ms. Hannah (we usually work with Ms. Hannah through the computer). We also ordered an FM system  which will attach to the bottom of Olivia's hearing aid and have a lapel microphone transmitter which I can wear to directly input my voice into her hearing aids. This will be especially helpful now that she's mobile and doesn't always stay within an arms length of me.

Taking a walk with Daddy on our road trip

Morning breakfast in bed (Starbucks muffin) at the hotel

Getting ready with Mommy

In the sound booth getting ready to start testing

Sacked out on the way home- She didn't get to nap until after 4:30 

A muddy mess

Even the rain won't stop the Allisons from outdoor play. We were riding bikes while playing in the rain and I decided it would be fun to take a four wheeler ride to pick blackberries. Josh graciously agreed and we all hopped on. We got down the drive and the rain began to pour. Our tiles were clogged from so much rain and the driveway was washing. Josh and I decided we should try to clear them out before all of our gravel washed away. He went back to get the shovels and then we started digging. Baby Sissy joined the fun and was sooo dirty we had to hose her off with the water hose when we got back home. I pulled her diaper off and her little heiny was so white and shiny I just had to snap a picture. I think I will frame it and put it in my 'mud room'. The leg warmers did not come clean. I guess it's was a worthy sacrifice for the fun of moment and the cute picture.

               

Riding in the rain (barefoot of course)

                      

Happy Independence Day

Here in lovely Western NC it has rained..and rained... and rained. The sun will pop out for a minute and then ohh. wait... here comes the rain. Our typical hot sunny 4th of July festivities did not happen this year. Instead, we had a lazy cookout at home with the family. We grilled out chicken and ribs here at our house and listened to God's fireworks in the sky (aka.. thunder and lightening). Happy 4th of July!

Isaac and his ipod. This is the most awesome swing EVER. It just conforms to your body.  If it would recline I could definitely sleep out here. 

Papa grilling the chicken and Sampson coming to smell what's going on

Carter and Eli in the blue truck. Eli isn't happy about something. 

Nanny made our favorite strawberry dessert

My sweet mama

I most certainly did not take my daughter out in the rain just to to take her picture in her festive dress. 

Livi has an empty frosty cup and spoon which she carried around the house. Josh gave her a bite and she wouldn't let go of the cup. 

Isaac and I acting silly later on that evening while watching TV

Speechie post and Mid-week Confessions

Besides blog surfing about parenting, hearing loss, food, and shopping... my other passion is of course speech-language blogs. I found this gem of a site a while back and I think it has so many wonderful resources for professionals and parents as well. It has a great arsenal of 'r' remediation techniques, and I am always searching for a new better way to teach the dreaded /r/.

There is a speech-language development chart from birth all the way to 5 years of age that's super helpful. I think it's pretty much spot on in terms of development and very parent friendly.  Even though Olivia has official standardized speech language testing, I still like to check out the developmental chart to make sure she's on track.

Fellow speech people... if you have any other awesome speech blogs you follow.. point me that way!

Now for my mid-week confessions:

1. My children have not taken simultaneous naps at all this week and I'm in dire need of quiet time. Yesterday, Olivia woke up from her nap and was just playing and talking in her crib so I left her there for about 10 minutes while I did a few chores. Does anyone else feel guilt about leaving your kid in their crib for a few minutes after nap?? I don't know why the guilt hits me.. I'm not leaving her for an extended amount of time and she's happy, but still it gets me. For some reason I feel like I should get her out right away when she wakes up. Oh well.

2. I went to help Isaac put his clothes away and I about gagged when I walked in. The smell was horrible. I went around sniffing.. the closet, his shoes, the sock drawer. I finally found the culprit.. his bed! Uhggg the smell! I mean I really do wash his sheets regularly. So I stripped down the entire thing including the down comforter liner and washed it on the extra dirty hot cycle.

Friends and bundt

One of my dearest friends, Amber, and her sweet family came over for dinner and to hang out. I made a new bundt cake off Mix and match mama's blog and it was delicious! If you are looking for an awesome red, white and blue dessert then you've got to make this one. Fresh blueberries and homemade strawberry icing. Click here for the recipe.

Livi is walking!

Olivia finally decided to walk... at 13 1/2 months!  She's been taking up to 10 steps for a couple weeks but this past she's become much more coordinated and is officially walking. She isn't at all afraid of falling or turning loose and those little chubby legs look so cute on on the go :)