It's 2007!

Happy New Year Everyone!
I can't believe it is 2007 already. Last year was such a busy and eventful year for our family. 2007 promises to be interesting as well. Isaac will get a brother or sister in May....which seems sooner and sooner every time I think about it, and we are expecting Isaac to make leaps and bounds with his implant. He has already done well so far and he has only been hearing for a couple months.

His progress keeps amazing us every day. He is not babbling and making as many noises as I expected or hoped for, but boy is he listening and observing! This kid does not miss a beat. He is already following some verbal commands without signs. I will ask him where his shoes are, and he will get them for me. I tell him to be nice to the dogs and he will pet them nicely instead of poking at their eyes and ears. I ask him where the dogs are and he will make the sign for dogs. Those are just a few examples, but he amazes us every day with a new "trick". He even makes the sound "mmmom mmmmom mmmom" when he is making the sign for mom. This is the cutest thing ever! He doesn't do it consistently, but it lets us know he is making connections.

Another thing we are grateful for is that he seems to enjoy his implant now. The first couple months were a struggle. He would cry and bury his head in my chest when I would put it on in the morning and I would have to start on program 1 and gradually change programs and increase the volume throughout the morning only to have to start over after his nap. Now I let him see the implant and even push the "on" button before I put it on and he doesn't cry. I even show him the implant, make the sign for "yes" and he makes the sign for "yes". Isaac seems to notice when the magnet falls off his head too. Sometimes, when he isn't too busy running, he will hand it to me and stand still so I can put it back on his head. If you saw how much he objected to having it on at first, you would know what a miracle this simple gesture is.

We have had a great 2006 and look forward to 2007. I wish everyone reading this many blessings for the New Year!